Vlieland - Beeldverzamelaar - Vorser - Historiograaf - Strandräuber

Born and raised on the Frisian Island Vlieland, lying off the north coast of the Netherlands.

Interested in the history of the island, particularly in the military activities during the first and second world war and cold war period.

Also interested in the naval history, with a special interest in the warfare on the North sea. As wreck diver I visited several wreck of vessels that went down during the first and second word war.

I spent a lot of time in combing the beach of Vlieland and taking pictures whilst doing that.

I read a striking discription of a beachcomber in the book "Flotsametrics and the floating world - How one man's obsession with runaway sneakers and rubber ducks revolutionized ocean science" by Curtis Ebbesmeyer.

"The sneaker spill introduced me to the world of beachcombing, a culture I only had brushed up against before but from which I've since learned a great deal.

Beachcombing appeals to deep-seated impulses and aspirations -to the scientist, explorer, collector, and treasure hunter in everyone and, deepest of all, to the inner hunter-gatherer.

It's a poor man's oceanography, research as play, unconstrained by professional ambition and open to everyone with eyes to see and feet to walk

Most beachcomber are uncelebrated salt-of-the-earth types, some are salty dogs.

If they weren't seeking washed up treasure and curiosities, they might be at home keeping scrap books or restoring old cars.

Often they have little formal education, but they are far more intelligent and inquisitive than many of the academics I have known.

Beachcombing is a hobby -an unfashionable word these days - that opens up on everything else.

Franklin D. Roosevelt credited his uncanny knowledge of world geography and history to his lifelong passion for stamp collecting.

Likewise , to be interested in beachcombing is to be interested in everything.

Beachcomber are the keepers of ocean's memory, sifting and sorting the chaotic surfeit thrown upon by the waves and tides, transforming trash into artistic and scientific gold."

All photos by and © Dirk Bruin-Vlieland except those mentioned as made by others.

Also historical photo's and postcards from the collections of Huibert van Eck - Vlieland, Roel and Tineke Luis - Vlieland, Rens de Groot - Gorredijk, and Jan Houter - Vlieland and other, I thank them for sharing.

Some images originate from the internet or books. If the use of these images is disapproved by the rightful owners, please let me now, they will be removed instantly.

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Most interesting pictures of Dirk Bruin

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