Crisp start at Bensersiel (📷1), a good 6h drive from #FFM for our beach fix (missing #NZ coast & birds). The “siel” in town’s name refers to water management structures found in northern DE & NL: sluice gates control tidal flow/ drain to sea, often integrated into dykes (📷2). With <1m/km gradient btw shore of the Wattenmeer & off-shore seabed, large flats are exposed at ebb tide; barriers slow erosion (📷3). Gates in dyke can be closed ahead of storm surges (📷4).

🇩🇪 #niedersachsen #de 🚀 #travel