I found myself headed towards the Haagse Bos for my first decent (i.e. with the purpose of getting some exercise, not just to trek to the shops to replenish my empty fridge) walk in Europe of 2016, on the first sunny day that came our way. I have to admit that I'd been pretty much house-bound thanks to the atrocious weather lashing Northern Europe recently, and I think I was feeling it even more after enjoying the balmy climes of the Middle East. Even as a Scot, I found the perpetual rain back here to be just a wee bit too much, so was raring to go when blue skies finally made an appearance!
I do love the low sun this time of year, and revel in the shadows it brings the woods around the city, throwing long lines of tree limbs across the pathways. I find real beauty in such starkness!
Most of these woods, as well as the Scheveningse Bos, are relatively newly planted (having been destroyed in the Second World War) which is shown in the distinct lack of trees of a larger girth. Wikipedia tell me that there was only thirty percent of the original woods left after 1945, and you do see a few older trees dotted around, but due to the war, and from what I guess to be quite a stringent park management, the woods maintain quite a youthful appearance.
A more light-hearted part of the woods is the area near the Royal Palace full of wood sculptures, most of which are in one piece. I was sad to see a beautiful hawk carving whose face had been hacked away, but there are many other statues, carvings and artwork left whole to charm and fascinate.
And occasionally you come across a bench dedicated to someone who obviously loved the woods when they were alive, and continues to add to the atmosphere even though they're no longer here to enjoy it in person.
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