Groningen

 After a couple of busy work days, today was much lighter with only some admin tasks to take care of. We took advantage of the lull to move northwards to Groningen. It's a pretty big place with some amazing buildings and clear evidence of a lot of shipbuilding still going on today. We could see the new ships on the quayside waiting for the day that they will be launched sideways into the waiting canal. Sadly, that day is not going to be any time soon. They don't look ready enough for launch.

After the work was done and the lunch was eaten we were able to catch a bus right at the gate of the campsite to take us the 15 km into Groningen. Despite a couple of ominous looking black clouds in the sky the weather was fine and mostly sunny. We did not have too long to wait for the bus to arrive and we were able to purchase tickets without having to resort to any fumbling attempts at speaking dutch. No cash on buses so the guy accepted a bit of plastic from Sheila's purse.

The bus station is alongside the old railway station which is an amazing looking building

Railway station at Groningen
The outside is pretty impressive but this building really shines inside. It is almost churchlike inside with images and decoration.

Inside the station at Groningen

We wandered around town for a while where it seems that the people, well the men in particular, of Groningen must be the most well groomed in the whole of the Netherlands. Every other shop is a Barbers. And if you are not in the barbers then why not visit one of the "herbal" remedy shops!!! I am not exaggerating when I say we would have been absolutley high as kites if we had stood for a few minutes more outside some of the establishments. 

Another internal view of the station
Another big churchy building
It is becoming customary for me to post a picture of a big church building. I think this is a church although it may have been some secret execution chamber. Look at the orange door at the very top of the gable end. Imagine if you will, being inside that door and someone saying right, just go through there are wait for a minute please! Woosh, good night Vienna. I am not entirley sure of the purpose of a door like that.

Groningen University
Finding a parking space for your bike is clearly one of the first and biggest challenges that will face the average student whilst they attend university but harder than any exam question they might susequently face, finding your bike at the end of the day must be equally perplexing.

One of several "town squares" to be found
During our meanderings we stumbled upon several contenders for "town square" each with it's own imposing building at one or both ends. This was another churchy type building. I suppose I maybe should try to find out more about these buildings so that I might enlighten you just a little more but I feel sure that if any of you actually read this stuff then big churchy type building is probably all that is needed. Please do comment if you would like me to strive for a smidgeon more detail in the descriptions.

After we had wandered around for a while and spent nothing more than a couple of hours and the bus fares we headed back to the bus station. Now I know what you are thinking. You are thinking that we did not know our destination but alas you would be wrong for Sheila had very cleverly taken a photo of the name of our bus stop when we boarded so that we would know where to get the ticket to on the way back. Our plan was a good one but we had however failed to check what times the buses departed for the return. The buses run only every hour on our route and we had missed it by about 5 minutes meaning we had almost an hour to kill before the next one. Back into town where went for another wander.

We had a seat in the sunshine and spent some time on our favourite activity making up stories about the people we saw passing by. It is pretty amazing what some people do in their spare time.

If by some miracle you are still reading this, I hope you enjoyed this latest missive. Like buses another might come along soon, if you are lucky.

DS and MJ

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