Crowds Due to Eclipse, Xavi, and Low Rhine (Thursday, August 13)

On Wednesday evening, many Dutch people watched the partial solar eclipse. It was very busy at the coast, observatories, and the Maasvlakte. According to the Royal Dutch Touring Club (ANWB), there were traffic jams heading to Zandvoort, Bloemendaal, and other beaches.

The Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) chose Xavi Hernández as the new foreign head coach of Oranje (the Dutch national football team). The 46-year-old Spaniard signed a contract until the 2030 World Cup. He succeeds Ronald Koeman and is the first foreigner in 48 years.

Around 8:10 p.m., the peak of the eclipse in the Netherlands occurred. At that time, approximately 88 percent of the sun was covered. The eclipse ended over the Mediterranean Sea, past the Spanish Balearic Islands.

On the German Rhine, shipping is partly at a standstill due to very low water levels. At Kaub, the navigable depth was still 11 centimeters on Wednesday, according to the Water Sports Association (WSV). Many cargo ships cannot pass and are carrying less cargo.

Vacation is becoming too expensive for more and more people, report Trouw and NRC. In Opende, guests can camp for free at Camping Polemonium. Trouw also writes about home care at a campsite for an 80-year-old woman.