The gentle roar of The North Sea

de zachte ruisen van de Noordzee
oil on canvas - 30 x 60 cm
painted on location - Monday 23 Dec 2015

SOLD

The gentle roar of the North Sea. A sound that even seasoned sailors respect and closely listen to, for as to navigate its water soberly. Surfers also listen to it messages, as they to are constantly in the hands of her mercy, never daring to dishonor her temperament. The wind carries her howl to far reaches, knocking over objects not stalwartly rooted. Nothing can stand in her way, as she meanders over and around all obstacles. How does one meditate on this roar? Will I've presented a solution. By immortalizing the moment, in space and time, in a visual feast of color and movement.

Road to the center, The Hague

De weg naar het centrum, Den Haag
oil on canvas - 40 x 50 cm
painted on location - Wed 24 June 2015


A painting made sometime ago, however only now posting on my blog. The work shows the popular terrace of St. Joris Cafe on the Koningsplein, the road then leads into Prins Hendrikstraat, after crossing the Waldeck Pyrmontkade.  Thousands of bicyclists use this path to reach the city center daily. It is good for the environment and a good way to stay in shape. Painted late in the afternoon, the low Sun is casting necessary shadow to create contrasts in the composition. Below....Dimitris Voyiazoglou, Leon Holmes, and me working on location.

South Beach with mist

Zuiderstrand in de mist
oil on canvas - 20 x 140 cm
painted on location - Sunday 01 Nov 2015
SOLD

A busy day yesterday on the beach, as the temperature was rather high for this time of the year, and there was absolutely no wind. Luckily I was on location early enough to miss the big crowds, but by the time this painting was completed, the beachfront was a mass of people and dogs having a ball, I rather like the effect the haze had on the view being shown here, blurring out all that mass of concrete objects on the horizon (Scheveningen Peir and boulevard).                                            

Race of The Classics, View off South Beach, The Hague

Race of The Classics, Gezicht vanaf Zuiderstrand, DH
oil on canvas, 30 x 150 cm
painted on location, Friday 16 October 2015
SOLD

 As if I was lead there by some unseen force, it was my destiny to be at the right place at the right time, to immortalise this very rare view, off the coast of Scheveningen, Holland.  I was not planning to be painting that morning, Actually I went to collect my parasol, at the beach, and low and behold, this happening was just getting started, they were still leaving the harbour.  I immediately ran back to my car, drove as quickly as possible to my studio, grabbed my gear and was back on location. I couldn't believe my eyes, there must have been what seemed like 30 or more of these babies, circling, manoeuvring in all directions.  Everybody on the beach was mesmerised, all making films on their mobiles. I'm pretty sure I was the only painter making a painting, and that my dear friends is what makes this work truly unique. Does anybody know someone who works for archival department, city of The Hague, am sure they would be interested!

View of Scheveningen from Wassenaarseslag

Gezicht op Scheveningen vanaf Wassenaarseslag,
oil on canvas - 20 x 50 cm
painted on location - Fri 7 Aug 2015
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For some reason I didn't post this work back in August. This is actually the study I did for a 80 x 200 cm commission. Characterised by high dunes and a wide beach this is one of the most natural sections of our coastline here in Holland. A stretch of beach and dunes that is frequently used by hikers and bicycle enthusiasts.

Indian Summer visits Zuiderstrand 3x

Mooi na zomers ochtend
oil on canvas - 30 x 150 cm
painted on location - Mon 21 Sept 2015
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The morning that this was painted it was actually quite cold, yet due to hardly any wind force, it was possible for me to set up and work.  For many it invites one to want to check out this beach, we have here in The Hague. In fact I feel I am doing the Gemeente Den Haag a great service. Surely I must be getting people excited about coming to the coast and going for a walk, or just chilling out on this stretch of Earth.

Zuiderstrand met wind en wolken

oil on canvas - 60 x 80 cm

painted on location - Mon 28 Sept. 2015

SOLD

Well, not too many days left for me to offer such breath taking scenery for the searcher of Beauty and Space. As in Holland "Space", has become a luxurious commodity, afforded to the wealthy, and in some cases, even the wealthy find it hard to come by. A small overcrowded country it is, our beloved flat land, with beautiful skies, and lovely flowers.  This country also has the capacity to breed genuine people, past and present. In fact featured in this painting is one of the present day "genuine"persons. His name is Theo Janssen, and you can clearly see him hunched over one of his so called, "strandbeesten", (literally translates to "beach beast").  His days are also numbered here on South Beach for this season, as his beach studio will be folding up and along with all the other buildings on the beach, will be closing down for the winter. 

Zuiderstrand, The Big Picture
oil on canvas - 60 x 120 cm
painted on location - Wed 30 Sept 2015
SOLD

This is the first time I made a painting from this vantage point. Before you is the stretch of beach were people like to let it all hang out, "the nude beach". In fact if you zoom in on that person laying next to the wind screen, you will see he is wearing nothing but a hat! It was not so crowded most people were hanging out at the beach cafe. The sky is what crabbed me the most, and inspired me to give my best shoot at this view. A rather windy day, as you can see by the beach surface and the clouds, and believe you me, by the end of this plein-air session I was exhausted!

In Homage to HKZV

Hommage aan HKZV
oil on canvas - 70 x 50 cm
painted on location - Friday 11 Sept 2015
SOLD

Yes folks, take a good look, because this will be probably the last time you see this cobalt blue landmark on our beloved stretch of Earth, known as Zuiderstrand. Next season it will be replaced with a lower object and from what I hear, not right up against the dunes. Over the years I've made at least 3 dozen, if not more paintings, which feature this exclusive clubhouse. It is situated next to the beach Cafe/Restaurant, De Fuut, which has a cadmium yellow light hue finish. Together they sparkle like a diamond in Elizabeth Taylor's jewelry box.  Another unique quality of this work, is that it is most likely the last hot summer look scene of Zuiderstrand I will be painting this year.

Indian Summer on the beach

Moeder en kind naar strand bij "Zuid" (Nieuwe versie)
oil on canvas - 40 x 80 cm
painted on location - Tues 9 Sept 2014 (re-worked in studio 3 Sept 2015)
SOLD

Almost exactly a year later I decided to re fresh this warm beach entrance scene.It is the start of a warm Indian Summers day. This Mom is treating her daughter to a day of fun at the cool waters edge, were indeed most Haagenaar folk like to go when it gets up in the mid 20's celsius. One of the hot spots for the young crowd, this beach house is simply called Zuid, which means South.


The painting here under is MUCH, MUCH bigger than the above work, just this weblog formatting does not give that appearance.

Wijds gezicht op Zuiderstrand bij ochtend licht,
oil on canvas - 70 x 140 cm (let op!)
painted on location - Wed 9 & Thurs 10 Sept. 2015
SOLD

I waited patiently for almost 2 weeks for some good sunny weather to make this and 3 other paintings in the past 3 days. A scene I never get tired of painting, and now working this size, on location, really gets my inspiration juices flowing. Can't wait to exhibit this on my next art market, just to hear the reactions from the on lookers.

The Golden hour finds Scheveningen

Het gouden uur vindt Scheveningen
oil on canvas - 20 x 140 cm (8" x 48")
painted on location 5x - 06 Aug - 21 Aug 2018
SOLD

Finding myself getting ready for Art markets in Scheveningen I decided to make yet again a painting of this scene, however this time with the warm tones of the Golden hour. This refers to that time of day when the Sun is anxiously making its way to kiss the horizon. Fortunately for me, this time of year it takes a good hour and a half.  Lots of sport activity takes place on this beach. Featured on the bottom right is glimpse of  the world class beach volleyball stadium.

As most of you know these panoramic format paintings are difficult to represent digitally on line, thus 2 close ups for your viewing pleasure.

Summertime and the living is easy

Intimate beach family scene
oil on canvas - 13 x 18 cm (5 x 7 inches)
painted on location -  Sun 2 August 2015
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Holiday season is in full swing, and people in Holland are taking full advantage of the nice weather! Here is a close up of one families situation. The kids are refreshing themselves in the water, the baby is staying fresh under the parasol, while the adults are preparing a snack and drinks! Yes, as parents, were better a place can you bring your kids to let loose and have fun. Just a warning of caution, be careful, because the Sea although life giving, can sometimes take it away.

Invitation to fun and adventure
oil on canvas - 60 x 120 cm - (24 x 47 inches)
painted on location - Sunday 9 August 2015
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This scene is always an inspiration for me to set up and paint. Over the years have done it at least 2 dozen times, in all weather conditions, but in my opinion this situation works best! Hell life is tough enough. You come home from a stressful day at the office, or wherever. You take off your hat and shoes, the misses has a warm dinner sizzling in the oven. You crack open a cool beer, sit yourself down, you look up. Now would you not rather be looking at this scene and not a stormy wind blazing savage Sea. Who knows it might even entice you to fancy those curves your wife so proudly displays, for your eyes only!

Scheveningen Beach & Boulevard and Zuiderstrand on a summers night

Il Pittore's vision of Scheveningen Beach 
oil on canvas - 30 x 200 cm
painted mostly on location - Started 4th of June - ended in studio 9th of July 2015
SOLD


Here I undertook the monumental task of making such an enormous XXXL canvas on location! I was situated exactly on the Noordelijk havenhoofd about 90 meters shy of the small red and white stripped lighthouse. Thus the wind was keeping me good company most of the time. In fact, it liked to pat me on the back, now and then. On one occasion all my gear hit the deck, lucky the damage was sustainable. Capturing the Sun's morning rays as they are just about to embrace the west side of the buildings and other objects portrayed, I felt this was the right moment to freeze, thus giving the onlookers something interesting to digest.

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Warm glow over Zuiderstrand

oil on canvas - 20 x 60 cm

painted on location - Monday 3 August 2015

SOLD

Here I bring to you the situation at hand in these warm summer days we are being gifted with having here in The Lowlands. I found myself next to the beach cafe De Kwartel, about half way between Scheveningen and Kijkduin. This stretch of beach, being one of Hollands best kept secrets, most Dutch people don't know that The Hague has a seriously gorgeous beach front, (they think it is all happening in Scheveningen). And you know what ,Hagenaars like it just that way, thus they have the beach all to themselves! 

Finally Summer

Zomers gezicht # 2

oil on canvas - 24 x 18 cm

painted on location - Sat 27 June 2015

SOLD

 Here I took the trouble to frame in this view, as if you find yourself on the spot I made this painting, your view will be overridden with impressions from every angle. Using my artistic freedom I gave the composition a little tweak, and that was to exaggerate the gradation from the cats to the shoreline of the sea.

Zomers gezicht #1

oil on canvas - 18 x 24 cm

painted on location - Thurs 25 June 2015

SOLD

A well known spot on the coast of Holland, the entrance to the Scheveningen harbours. Also a favourite location for many people who like to catch fish. Some people just like to come and stroll to the end of these piers (there is a north and a south pier), giving one the impression of being out at sea. In fact with high winds you are taking your life at risk to take that walk. Fortunately for the absent minded, the municipality has installed gates that close when it is dangers.

Clouds of the North Sea

Study of clouds over South Beach
oil on canvas - 13 x 18 cm
painted on location - Thurs 28 May 2015
SOLD

Sunny yet windy conditions characterises this little canvas which gives you a rather big picture of the scenery at hand. Painted next to De Kwartel, a popular beach cafe/restaurant on this lovely stretch of beach.

Kite surfer with high winds on the North Sea
oil on canvas - 20 x 50 cm
painted on location - Fri 19 June 2015
SOLD

Now these guys and gals are about the only dudes that love this high windy conditions here on the North Sea coastline! Whizzing by at high speeds, these guy was getting air born every couple of minutes! Was fun for me to show him in an actual position of surfing the rough surface of the sea that afternoon.

Summer fun at the beach, South Beach, The Hague

Zomers Dagje op strand

oil on canvas - 30 x 150 cm

Painted on location - Sun 7 June 2015

SOLD

Although this was made before summer officially stared, it certainly suggests a warm moment on the tranquil beach which we are fortunate to have here in the big city of The Hague. Mornings is the right time to catch this light effect on the water, and that's exactly the time you can find me working on such a painting

Postcards from Venezia series # 5 & 6

View from Accademia Bridge with Golden Light 

oil on canvas board - 20 x 29 cm

painted on location - 7 May 2015

SOLD

View from Accademia Bridge with Warm Light

oil on canvas board - 20 x 29 cm

painted on location - 6 May 2015

SOLD

These are the last two paintings made on my recent trip to Venezia. Twice the size of the original four paintings, posted not so long ago. I choose to render this scene in a way that it might have looked a few centuries ago, at 5 o' clock in the morning.  Thus no vaporetto halts, and no cruise ships! 

Soft clouds vrs. Swift clouds on the Tranquil beach

Zachte ochtend lucht, Zuiderstrand, DH

oil on linen - 50 x 70 cm

painted on location - 21 April 2015

SOLD

Gauw midag lucht, Zuiderstrand DH

oil on linen - 50 x 70 cm

painted on location - Wed 27 May 2015

SOLD

It's a matter of taste, which will determine the choice you favour. I imagine the ladies would prefer the misty soft view of Kijkduin, and the men most likely would prefer the sharp and more active view of Scheveningen. In both cases the national flag is hanging out, thus the doors of perception are open, come in and join the feast!  I'm no expert on that subject so let's skip it. On the 2nd painting you can see Theo Jansen working on a rather large 'strandbeest'. If you go to the beach right now (Saturday 6 June) you can see it, as he is still building it up. For me this is one of the most colourful scenes one can find on the coast of The Netherlands. Primary colours next to each other, a pure joy for us visual people.  

Beautiful moments at the Sea

Memories of a beautiful day,
oil on canvas - 13 x 18 cm
painted on location - Sun 24 May 2015
SOLD

A simple study of the situation at hand. A child running with her baby brothers play shovel. Families, couples, children of all ages, all enjoying the warm vibe of this exciting moment here at South Beach. The Hague.  Feeling fortunate to have been on location, and to have been gifted with the ability to be able to create this everlasting, immortal scene, on a piece of linen.

A beautiful moment on the vigorous North Sea.
oil on canvas - 24 x 30 cm
painted on location - Tues 19 May and in studio Sat 30 May 2015
SOLD

The richness of a Nation, summed up .....Yes ladies and gentlemen, it's right here before your eyes! Have a close look at what's shown. The oil is extracted out of the Earth, in this case, beneath the Sea bed. (on the horizon to the left of the sailboat). The oil is then loaded on to a tanker, which is anchored, floating on the Sea, most likely waiting for the oil price to increase on the market! Fortunes are made, the Nation prosperous. Here you see an example of that healthy economy. A favorite pass time for many, sailing the vigorous North Sea.

The Clouds, the Sea, the Dunes and Seagulls

de wolken, de zee, de duinen en meeuwen 1

oil on wood - 10 x 15 cm

painted on location - Tues 19 May 2015

SOLD

de wolken, de zee, de duinen en meeuwen 2

oil on mdf - 10 x 18 cm

painted on location - Tues 19 May 2015

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de wolken, de zee, de duinen en meeuwen 3

oil on mdf - 12 x 18 cm

painted on location - Tues 19 May 2015

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On location last week, a beautiful sunny yet very windy day. Had to position myself on the balcony of the Life guards building. otherwise impossible to make these small paintings. You can see sand on the surfaces,  the wind generously shared with me. The seagulls just having a fun allowing the wind to ruffle through their feathers. The clouds also casting shadows as they swiftly were blown away.

Postcards from Venezia Series, 1,2,3,& 4

Golden light on Cannaregio Canal

oil on wood - 10 x 15 cm

painted on location - Wed 6 May 2015

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View of La Salute, morning glory

oil on wood - 10 x 15 cm

painted on location - Thurs 7 May 2015

SOLD

View of La Salute, soft light

oil on wood - 10 x 15 cm

pained on location - Thurs 7 May 2015

SOLD

Fondamenta Vener dai Leoni

oil on wood - 10 x 15 cm

painted on location - Wed 6 May 2015

SOLD

Dear frtiends, I was on a short trip to Venezia recently. To work and enjoy some of the most beautiful scenery in the world.  Made a total of six paintings. For those of you who have been there, you know about the charm and uniqueness this floating city has to offer. I believe I will make a habit of going there more often, as a painter is never short of inspiration and subject to paint.

ps...with the purchase of 2 or more reductions in price.

A beautiful day for sailing (and flying!)

Een mooie dag voor het varen (en vleigen)

oil on canvas - 35 x 75 cm

painted on location - Wed 13 May 2015

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I found myself on the beach with a windy yet sunny sky to deal with. The parasol came in handy, as it protected me from the continually blasting wind.  I showed this work to a fellow painter and he made the following observation: "This is a wonderful marine picture for a seasoned seafarer. I could see it in an elegant frame, hanging just above his collection of pipes."   I thought that was an honourable remark, showing respect to the hard work it takes, to get something done, just right.     

Morning light on South Beach, DH

Ochtend licht op Zuiderstrand, DH
oil on canvas - 40 x 120 cm (dus zeker niet klein)
painted on location - Thurs/Fri 30-04/01-05 - 2015
SOLD

Dear Friends and Customers, yet another view of this scene, which for me has become what for Paul Cezanne, Mount Saint Victoire represented. He of course is known for his many paintings of that mountain near Aix-en-Provence.  Like him,  I have this view just a few streets from my studio. And like him I am continually inspired to make paintings at this location, as the atmospheric conditions are never the same twice. However what makes us different is that he was more concerned about the form the mountain represented, and I am more concerned about the light affect on the scene. Should you like to have a better look at this work, just email me.

Homage to the Sea

Hulde aan de zee
oil on canvas - 40 x 50 cm
painted on location - Tues. 28 April 2015
SOLD

As witnessed in this painting, the Sea is never the same, forever changing it's look.  The governing factor, the atmospheric conditions. In this case, the clouds racing by rather hastily casting those dark shadows as the Sun's light dominated the entire celestial body. The wind, also a major player in this scene, stirring things up on the surface of the Sea . The colouration was too irresistible not to paint, thus this work was created.

South Beach DH, in all her Glory

Gezicht op Kijkduin Zuiderstrand met hoge wind
oil on canvas - 50 x 70 cm
painted on location - Wed 15 April 2015
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Oh, oh, oh, don't those Dutch clouds love to make their presence known. And me as a painter certainly pay all my respect and homage to their gracefulness and curvaceous beauty. Always a pleasure to represent them on linen, and they compliment the beach views majestically. Am sure John Constable would have really enjoyed painting here in The Lowlands!

Gezicht op Scheveningen met Kinderen voor DeStaat
oil on canvas - 40 x 60 cm
painted on location - Wed 15 April 2015
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After I finished the above painting, it was so nice I just made a 180 degree turn and decided this scene was worth to make another painting. I played with raising the horizon line, thus giving an even greater sense of depth. On this work you can get an idea of how the strong winds move around large masses of sand, forever changing the surface look of this stretch of beach. And kids of course they just love playing in the sand!

Path in the dunes, DH

Pad in de duinen, DH
oil on canvas - 20 x 50 cm
painted on location - Sat 18 April 2015
SOLD

It is late in the afternoon, I went down to the beach, looking for inspiration. Nothing going on there but a wind strong enough to blow all my gear to Rotterdam. The kite surfers were having a great time, but that was the extent of it. Discouraged, I turned around and headed back to my auto. Luckily I stopped for a drink of water at the fountain just 5 meters behind the location were this painting was made. I saw the light bouncing off the sea, and thought to myself, "wouldn't it be fine if I could somehow show that on a oil painting." Well that was enough to get me started. To show light one must surround the area in darkness, thus on that premise, this work started taking shape. I'm positive Monet would have done a much better rendition of this scene. But, for better or for worse, this was the result of my modest effort. I have done this scene before, over the years, and am glad to admit it never tires me, as this is such a beautiful location, especially now with the new growth. On the horizon to the left a hint of the Atlantic Hotel, Kijkduin.

Misty on South Beach

Zeevlam bij Zuiderstrand,
oil on canvas - 40 x 60 cm
painted on location - Thurs 9 April 2015
SOLD

 The temperature is getting warmer, and when it is really warm, as we love to have it here in Holland, you can get this effect on the beach. Now, this might not be everyones favorite situation, but it does make for a rather atmospheric beach scene. Through the thick fog, which by the way, is shown in the process of lifting, one can make out a row of beach cafes to the left. On the right, four elements to spice things up, on the horizon a sail boat, next a pole to indicate a wave breaker, then a couple of children, and last, the pet dog of the children.

Blind Faith series # 1,2 & 3

Blind Vetrouw series #1,
oil on canvas - 70 x 90 cm
painted on location - Tues 7 April 2015
SOLD

You know the saying, 'if they through lemons at you, make lemon juice'  That is exactly what I am doing  in this series! The weather is getting warmer, but the Sea temperature is still extremely cold, so this is what happens. You get this thick mist hanging around for hours. It does make for a rather atmospheric painting. It looks easy enough to do, but belief me, to represent depth in these scenes does take some trickery. And that is were experience comes in to do the job that needs to be done.  After working on the large painting, I attempted a smaller panoramic format, which is shown here below.

Blind Vetrouw series #2,
oil on canvas - 20 x 50 cm
painted on location - Tues 7 April 2015
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Tranquillity and peace, is what this and the other works from this series offers you.  Room to allow you to think things over, make that important decision, without visual obstruction. Life in a crowded country like Holland does require time out, every now and then. Fixing your eyes on one of these paintings will slow your thoughts down, allow your mind to focus and meditate!

Blind Vetrouw series #3,
oil on canvas - 30 x 150 cm
painted on location - Fri 10 April 2015
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Here I found myself at my favourite stretch of beach, hoping for the Sun to break through. Same as hundreds of other Netherlanders who payed a visit to Zuiderstrand that day. Well a few hours later that did happen, but in the meantime am glad I made the decision to paint this view of paal 36, just in front of beach cafe, De Fuut. I would like to remind you of that saying I happened to come upon not long ago by Robert Henri....'Why do we love the Sea. It is because it has some potent power to make us think things we like to think.' Now, I tell you, is that not enough reason, to make that walk on the beach! I certainly am glad I got the sea almost at my door step, as am sure are thousands of other people living near the coast here in The Lowlands.

Scheveningen Boulevard with morning light # 2

Scheveningen Aan Zee, met ochtend licht,
oil on mdf - 22 x 180 cm
painted on location - 8 settings from 05 March 2015 - 18 March 2015
SOLD

This is the 2nd time I paint this view. Last year also in March I was working from the Southern branch of the harbour entrance (Zuidelijk Havenhoofd, Buitenhaven). This is the view from the Northern branch of the harbour entrance (Noordelijk Havenhoofd). lt can be difficult to work with such a wide panoramic format on this location, as the wind likes to surprise you from time to time. On one occasion my easel with painting fill to the ground, lucky the damage was easy to repair.  After that I was anchoring my gear with a large shopping bag full of sand. With the morning light this view is spectacular, thus I was confined to working for no more than 2 hrs at a time. Below a close up of the Pier, which is undergoing renovations at present.

"Let there be light"

"Laat er licht zijn"...,
oil on canvas - 40 x 50 cm
painted on location - Thurs 19 March 2015
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Luckily I happened to be on location, (just had finished working on a larger painting). On the top left, the Sun forcing its light through the thick layers of clouds, which have no choice but to surrender to the outburst of gases and heat coming from that life bearing Celestial body.  Thus the sky, all of a sudden broke open, creating these lovely exotic shapes. A true pleasure to witness, after days of overcast clouds. I couldn't help but think of the biblical phrase, "Let there be light"!  Thus this painting was created. On the horizon, the Hotel Atlantic, in Kijkduin, to the right of it, you can barely make out the communications tower, which has been planted in the so called "Zandmotor".