The Coast Tram and Oostende

 So fellow gentle traveler we have been released as the strike day has passed and are off to  Knokke near the Dutch boarder to ride the coast tram to De Panne - near the French boarder.  If you were to ride it without a break it is about two hours, however we bought a day pass and stopped at Oostende.


While it is called the coast tram only part of it runs directly along the coast and the DCC could get advice on dune erosion. It mainly serves the costal towns along the route which are reminiscent of British seaside resorts combined with the Australian sunshine coast. It appears to be very popular and where its not built up there were plenty of walking tracks to the beach. One small stretch even had remnants of German fortifications for you to view. However to do this now would require the wholesale dismantling of apartments. This perhaps reflects the phrase 'capitalism keeps warm in a velvet glove'  through its maintenance of  power through subtle and often deceptive tactics which may be considered preferrable to out right war, as the insurance companies would not be happy. Crickey one beer outside the socialist party headquarters and I've gone all leftist! 

We stopped off at Oostende which was liberated by the Canadian's on September 8th 1944, previous to this as it was considered a strategic port it was bombed heavily by both sides. I was keen to see the coast and we were rewarded with quite the vista in a stiff breeze. The towns along the tram were very pretty and I can see why people are attracted to it and Tuesday must be market day as we stumbled across a couple mostly selling women's clothing. Tempted but no need and no room.

Lock(s)




A what not









A make and female wave















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