(remember I am editing all out of order)  

We decided rather spur of the moment that we would proceed to the coast. We landed in Noordwijk between Den Haag and Amsterdam.  

On the way we were held up for a bit as a boat passed through a canal ahead.  The road was rising up in front of us which completely amazed the children. 

We were able to park very close to the beach and spent a few hours roaming the beach.  It has been ten years since I have stood on the seashore which means several of the little kids had no frame of reference.  It didn't take long for them to decide it was a very good place.