Holidaying on Goeree-Overflakkee

Guru gets off to a flying start. We seem to be off to a good start and in good spirits Yalou and I leave the town of Goedereede. After admiring the rooms and a brief meeting with Christoph, the owner of B&B Röderhaus, the two days' holiday on Goeree-Overflakkee begin. With a slightly wavering confidence, Yalou manoeuvres the nostalgic Volkswagen van through the narrow streets. I express my admiration for her and am very glad I am not behind the wheel. Everything seems to be going well, but then comes the first roundabout. Shifting gears still proves to be the biggest challenge. From front to back and left to right. With every gear change, the gear lever gets to see all corners of the van but after a few attempts, Yalou gets more of a feel for it and we are really ready for our mini-holiday on Goeree-Overflakkee.

The road along the beach puts us in the mood for the first activity planned. From supping, wavesurfing and kitesurfing to blowkarting, beach yoga and powerkiting. Natural High offers an extensive range of water sports and beach activities. Jolijn is waiting for us and takes us to the beach for a session of powerkiting. As she explains exactly how this works, she lets the wind pull the kite into the air. Yalou and I look at each other; it doesn't really look that difficult... Soon we find out that powerkiting on the beach of the North Sea is a bit more challenging than it looks. The strong wind pulls us metres over the beach and if you don't pay attention, the kite dives towards the sand. Very cool to see the power of the wind.

After trying out different kites with Jolijn, a delicious lunch awaits us at Natural High. The interior of the beach pavilion immediately makes us feel like we are on Bali. But the dishes on the menu also take us back to another country for a moment. The poké bowl with fresh ingredients is just what Yalou and I need to recharge for the rest of the day.

In the afternoon, we go out with forester Jan de Roon of Natuurmonumenten. He tells us that he has been in the business for 36 years and this is reflected in his knowledge of and passion for nature! Together, we walk into the nature reserve De Kwade Hoek outside the dikes. In autumn and winter, the sea comes further into this area and certain parts are less suitable for walking. Fortunately, this doesn't bother us as much at this time of year and we can take the walk that forester Jan has in mind without any problems. Kwade hoek is a special area due to the alternation of salt, brackish and fresh water. As a result, many different plant species grow there and many species of birds live there.

After a few minutes' walk, Jan points out a plant that grows a lot in the area. The hedgehog anther, a rose variety common here, smells like fresh apples when you rub the green leaves between your fingers. We also admire wild orchids that are in full bloom on certain parts of Kwade Hoek and other purple flowers called the Bird's vetch. This flower lives up to its name, as the small purple flowers in bud are shaped like little birds. Jan recognises bird species even before he sees them by the beautiful songs they sing. He points out lapwings and robins, among others. There are also many sea buckthorn berries growing at Kwade Hoek. If you want to admire these beautiful orange berries, the best time to go hiking is during August until winter!

Bij Marc is the perfect place for families, so many enjoy their holiday on Goeree-Overflakkee. Enjoy various delicious dishes while your children explore the playground in the middle of the dunes. Yalou and I plop down on one of the many lounge sofas and admire the extensive menu. No shortage of choice! On the coast, fish should be enjoyed so I opt for a fish casserole while Yalou feasts on her vegan avocado burger. After dinner, we slowly tuck back into Volkswagen van Goeroe towards Goedereede. Here we climb the tower and it is finally time to get better acquainted with Christoph from B&B Röderhaus.

Goedereede has an old tower that used to be used as a lighthouse. This tower guided ships along the Kwade Hoek towards Goedereede, meaning 'safe harbour'. Now the tower is no longer used as a lighthouse, but can still be climbed as a tower museum to then enjoy a great view. After putting Guru back at B&B Röderhaus, we walk through the narrow streets towards the tower. Goedereede is an authentic little town and perfect for a stroll or to shoot some special snapshots. Arriving at the tower, the climb up begins. Foot by foot through the narrow corridor. At the tower, you get an incredibly good view of exactly how the island was formed. The various villages, natural areas and coastlines are a feast for the eyes. Despite the climb, the view is certainly the perfect end to a busy day of adventures on Goeree-Overflakkee.

Meanwhile, having arrived at B&B Röderhaus, Christoph asks if everything went well with Volkswagen van Guru. It is possible to hire the van so that you can, for example, explore the island for a day or drive towards the beach. Although driving is a little challenging (read; no power steering, big and slightly different gear shifting), it is definitely highly recommended!

B&B Röderhaus is not only an accommodation but also a gallery. Art from Christoph's ancestors is displayed everywhere. The enthusiast can also buy it. Christoph has dedicated each room to a family member. With this original approach, you will never run out of things to do in the cool accommodation.

But this is certainly not the only reason why B&B Röderhaus comes highly recommended. From a glass of rosé before bed to a meticulously prepared breakfast in the morning: Christoph is a wonderful host who will do everything to make you feel comfortable during your holiday on Goeree-Overflakkee.

After a delicious breakfast at B&B Röderhaus, Yalou and I are ready to further explore Goeree-Overflakkee. Together with our cameras, we board Gurus to set off again. First on the agenda is Middelharnis, a historic village with a picturesque harbour and nostalgic buildings. On Instagram, we got the tip to drink coffee at LLEV at the harbour and this is definitely a tip we want to give you as well! Enjoy the most delicious cappuccinos with oat milk while overlooking the harbour. Are you a big fan of Brocante? Then The List of Brocante in the city centre is a must.

Do also pop into Jaap Reedijk’s Atelier. In his art, he combines his passion for using different materials and styles with illustrations, photography and paintings. We popped in and had the chance to meet Jaap and admire his work – well worth a visit if you’re in the area!

After a morning strolling around Middelharnis and Sommelsdijk, lunch is on the agenda. We take Guru to another part of the island. Arriving at the destination car park, a beautiful dune path leads us to the beach. Beachclub 't Gorsje is the perfect spot if you want to enjoy peace and quiet overlooking the sea and dunes. The beach is incredibly extensive and also great for a walk. Whatever dish you choose at 't Gorsje, you are guaranteed to enjoy it. Original ingredients and surprising combinations have been considered. Enjoying the sunshine, we are told that 't Gorsje is named after a local bird common to the area. Which reminds me of why Honeyguide, is called Honeyguide. Do you already know the story behind our name ? Of course, lunch couldn't end any other way than with our feet in the cooling waters of the North Sea.

As we approach the yard of riding school PSC de Dijkgraaf , we immediately see that this place has a lot to offer. Besides riding lessons, they organise summer camps, it is possible to walk with ponies, they have a group accommodation in the shape of an old train and offer the possibility of rides through the dunes and over the beach. On arrival, we are welcomed by Anne and her husband Edwin, who take us on a beautiful carriage ride through the dunes and the centre of Ouddorp. A fun way to explore the area! Edwin and Anne talk about their passion for riding and equestrian sports. A walk through the stables and yard alone is a fun activity thanks to the more than 60 horses they have!

Brasserie ´t Vingerling is located at the harbour of Middelharnis and is therefore the perfect place to enjoy dinner with a great view. Yalou and I plop down on the attractive terrace and are greeted with a friendly smile. The service makes this experience even more enjoyable. It soon becomes clear that nothing is too much trouble at Brasserie ´t Vingerling. For instance, a vegan risotto is made especially for Yalou and is so delicious that the chef thinks it should be on the menu too!

Manouvering over narrow dykes, we arrive at De Slikken van Flakkee. Our last stop before our holiday on Goeree-Overflakkee. Here Tim Rommes, forester with the Forestry Commission, is waiting for us. Armed with binoculars, we head into the area with him for an evening walk full of surprises. In the distance, we see grazing fjord horses, admire imposing Heck cattle, spot hares and roe deer and listen to the songs of various birds.

In the distance, we hear a cuckoo, an incredibly clever bird with a not so neat approach, according to Tim. This bird lays its eggs in nests of other nesting birds so it doesn't have to sit on the nest itself. But even when the cuckoo's chick hatches, it does not take care of it. The fooled bird looks after the young as if it were its own, even if the cuckoo chick is a lot bigger. Walking through the fields, Tim points out the Rattle plant to us. This blooms in June, but after the flowering period, pouches full of seeds form that make a rattling sound in the wind. Sometimes all nature's names are so logical and beautiful.