Maybe there is no better place in the Netherlands than at the viewpoint of the Slufter to get a thorough sense of the contrast between industrial growth and natural growth of land, vegetation and animals. It is where cranes and windturbines meet the strong wind from the sea and the never ending coming and going of the waves in the surf.
It is where ever changing dunes create a transition from…
Maybe there is no better place in the Netherlands than at the
viewpoint of the Slufter to get a thorough sense of the contrast
between industrial growth and natural growth of land, vegetation and
animals. It is where cranes and
windturbines meet the strong wind from the sea and the never ending
coming and going of the waves in the surf.
It is where ever changing dunes create a transition from the vast,
flat and ominous stretch of manmade land with factories, cranes and
ships to the more brownish, green and soft yellow area of shoals,
bushes and seaweed. On some days one might be able to smell chemicals
or smoke on one side of the dunes and five minutes later smell only
salty and fresh air, after crossing the dunes and walking on the
beach.
There is a place where human interference and
natural growth form less of a contrast and more of a symbiosis. About
50 meters off the beach, there where the shoals run dry at low tide
but are flooded at high tide, there is a circle shaped mussle bank.
Mussles are stimulated to grow there, like they used to do all along
the Dutch coast. In any place where mussles could find a bit of
shelter from the wind and waves, they could be found in abundance.
The ring gives a degree of shelter to the
mussle whilst allowing the salty water (and other species) to come
and go freely. But only the more adventurous of the other species can
reach this place.
One
square shaped void
is empty, it seems. It only contains water. But very clean, filtered
water, since that is one of the beneficial effects of mussles and
musslebanks: mussles feed from and then filter the water.
Seagulls and ducks are invited to rest on the
cooking island as long as they are not disturbed by any human
presence. Which will be the case during most of the winter and
spring. Whatever excrements they leave on the structure, the sea will
rinse it off sooner or later. Particularly during late spring and summer
people will be able to enjoy the ring and its designated areas or
elements. That is, only if they dare to get a bit of wet feet and
cross the 50 meters of shoals within the limited time of the tides. If
they want to make it back in time they need to keep in mind when
high-tide arrives. This allows other species plenty of time and
opportunity to encounter the mussles without disturbance.
On
the cooking island one can have a picknick or
a fire and eat mussles. It is accessible during low tide on foot, and
otherwise by swimming, canoe or other small boat.One
can find mussles everywhere around and collect them if wanted, from
the poles, the so called Bouchots, or from the different cracks and
dips in the elements, like on this cooking island.
In
the amfitheatre people can meet, rest, arrange small scale
performances or eat. It is accessible on foot during low tide, and
otherwise by swimming, with a canoe or with another small boat. What
a place to relax! On
the bouchot-buoy one can see the mussles from up close,
whenever it’s high or low tide, because the buoy moves up and down
along the poles with the rising and dropping waterlevel. One
can reach the buoy by boat/canoe, swimming
or by jumping from the ring.The
grotto is located in the deepest part of the ring where even
during low tide the sand doesn’t run dry. Mussles can grow quite
naturally here and both humans and animals, like birds and crabs, can
harvest them. If they dare, curious seals can explore it, though they
might get shy and leave as soon as a scuba diver or fisherman
arrives. Next
to that the naturally growing mussle bank strengthens the bottom of
the sea. It is a place that can attract other animal species, like
the seal. Crabs can even indulge on the mussles themselves, since
they like them so much!
The
mussle triangle is where mussles grow on and around
easily, and that can strenghten the seabed. It is located in the part
that only just runs dry during low tide. Then it is easily accesible
by people too.The
round table is located close to the ring at the beach side and
therefor more easily accessible than the other elements. Here both
individuals and groups can gather to eat mussles. The
table aligns the outline of the platform, in a circle, which leaves
space in the centre of the round platform to collect or
throw the empty shells. Over
time a heap of mussle shells will appear,
shells that can be used for decoration of any short, as a spoon to
eat more mussles with, or they can just be left where they are.
Within
the ring rows of poles form a grid
in which mussles are farmed. This grid together with the ring creates
the more sheltered area in this part of the sea. In the voids the
different elements are placed. The
ring itself binds it all together. It is a protecting harbour
and a route at the same time. The big poles / legs are constructed so
they can stand the force of the waves. The round, fluent shape gives the least
obstruction to the waves and currents going around it at high tide.
The
natural timeslot that tides provide, allows a species time and
opportunity to enjoy the mussles without disturbance by other
species. The ring is where the encounter with mussles is shared
between the human species and animals. It is where the love for
mussles can begin and grow.
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