We’re in Zierikzee, a Dutch secret only the Germans know about. At least, that’s how it feels when you walk around here in summer and you only hear German spoken around you. These days the main language is Dutch, with a bit of Flemish.

We love Maastricht. I think that’s our number one city in the Netherlands, but Zierikzee is close on its heels. It’s small, but it’s cute with the little harbor, the old city walls, countless monuments and crooked houses.

Starting point

So what does Zierikzee have to do with running? Well, it’s a good starting point for trail running, as Burgh Haamstede is around the corner. Okay, that does mean you have to go to another place, but it’s worth the trip. Burgh Haamstede is where forest meets coast, and that forest is full of deer.

If Zierikzee is any good for trail running, I don’t dare to say. I haven’t run here yet. I know in the past it had a 10 English Miles race, but that one vanished from the Dutch running calendar a couple of years ago. Besides, that race was a street race, no trail run.

Family weekend

My parents, my sister and her husband live around the corner or Zierikzee, so whenever we go over for the weekend, we stay here. It gives us the opportunity to do some shopping for the yoga shala and the house, enjoy some nice seafood and go for a walk on the beach, but that’s tomorrow’s story.