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Where nature sets the rhythm of life
Where nature sets the rhythm of life
Gossen Buren (64) is a real islander, born in Landerum and he now lives in Kinnum. For a long time, his life was dominated by the sea: he sailed all over the world and later worked for the pilots and as a traffic controller at the Brandaris. He can now be found on the island's mainland, where he works, among other things, as a driver at the Terpstra covered wagon company, with his good friend Rients. Gossen is also a kooiker and shares his love for horses with his daughter Goedele, with whom he cares for two of his own horses. A man with stories, rooted in Terschelling's nature and culture.
Where nature sets the rhythm
For Gossen, the Boschplaat is a place of space and continuous change. He has been coming there regularly for sixty years, and the area still amazes him again and again. “Sometimes I'm at the beach three times a day, and each time it's different,” he says. The dynamism of nature is clearly visible to him: where there used to be fields full of flowering lavender, now it's mostly grass and grass. The mudflats have also changed, with much more silt than decades ago. Despite — or because of — these changes, the Boschplaat remains a special and vibrant place for Gossen.
In the summer, Gossen visits the Boschplaat almost every day during covered wagon rides. He also visits the area outside the season, depending on weather and tide, because nature determines the route.
The power of the sea cannot be tamed
Although change is part of nature, Gossen is also concerned about the future of the Bosch plate. He sees how the area is becoming smaller and more vulnerable, with a beach slowly disappearing. Where there used to be an extensive, barren expanse of sand, the sea is gaining ground. “Who are we as human beings to want to arrange everything?” he asks. According to Gossen, the power of the sea is often underestimated — a force that doesn't care about human plans.
Raided by the water — an adventure on the Boschplaat
One of Gossen's adventures on the Boschplaat was an unexpected flood during a trip with two covered wagons full of guests. Together with experienced driver Douwe Spanjer, he made a coffee stop on the plains, unsuspecting that the water would suddenly rise rapidly. While the horses were standing in the grass and the coffee had just been poured, they saw the water approaching. The horses and harnesses were quickly brought to safety and the people were put on the dunes. It turned out to be no ordinary tide: strong winds in the North Sea had driven the water towards Boschplaat. “Nature is always in charge,” says Gossen. It was an exciting experience that guests will never forget.
Stories on the go
During his covered wagon rides, Gossen shares stories about the history and changes of the Bosch plate along the way. Even before pole 20, he told his guests about vegetation, grazing and the various ways of managing nature. This way, every ride becomes an educational experience, where visitors will see the landscape from a different perspective. “Because you talk about them, people also recognize the changes themselves,” says Gossen. Whether it's about the blossoming sea lavender or the diversity of birds — his stories make the Boschplaat alive and unforgettable.
Why is natural dynamics so important?
What is a wash-over?
Is the Bosch plate closed during the work?
Which plant species are in danger of disappearing?
Where will new sand be sprayed?
