European Trip 29: Groningen, Holland.

Sunday 20th October 2024 (day 37).

Crossing another country border, we have now entered the Netherlands and are staying at a motorhome aire called “Camperplaats P Kardinge”, Groningen, which is free but there are no services.

We cycled into the city centre along a well maintained network of cycle paths, which makes using bikes a pleasure in this country. There are thousands of bikes and you definitely have to keep your wits about you, either riding or as a pedestrian.

Groningen is a city in the north of Holland. Its centre, which has a number of interesting buildings, is surrounded by a ring of canals with old warehouses and boats, many of which are clearly occupied as dwellings.

Some of those boats look like they are well overdue for some TLC:

…and some of the vehicles are looking as tired as the boats:

The ultra-modern Groningen Museum seems to float on the canal.

Alongside the bridge to the museum, is a large polar bear which seems to be doing its best to maintain water levels in the canal:

“The Forum” is an ultra modern building which you are able to ascend via the many escalators to the roof terrace which gives panoramic views across the city:

Wandering around, there were other interesting buildings:

On our way back to the park-up, we came across this building:

Then we were held up by a raised bridge, waiting for one of the huge barges to enter the lock beyond. It was a tug, pushing an unpowered barge.

We plan to move further south through Holland tomorrow. TTFN, See you later.