Groningen and Drachten
Groningen and Drachten
Lauwersmeer (Lake Lauwers)
I cycled south from the ferry along the shore of the Lauwersmeer, then followed the river Lauwers that marks the border between the Provinces of Freyslân and Groningen and headed to the city of Groningen. On the way Lucy spotted the Groningen flag, and of course she wanted another jersey.
Groningen is described in the guide books as a vibrant, youthful city, which it certainly is. It has been a University town since 1614 and has a student population of around 40,000. As there was a lot to see and do, I decided to stay for two nights and spent the first evening sitting in a restaurant in the Grote Markt chatting to a University lecturer who, in my opinion, had a very strange view of British politics.
The place where I stayed had an eclectic collection of pictures hanging on the staircases including a map of Warwickshire and a Derbyshire hunting scene.
A Day in Groningen - Thursday 7th June
Groninger Museum
Part of the shop in the Groninger Museum
One of the staircases in the museum
But she quickly became engrossed in the exhibits when she realised that it was a museum devoted to Dutch comic strips and she settled down to watch the cartoons while I wandered around looking at the huge display of strip cartoons etc.
Lucy loved watching the cartoon show
I finished the day back in the Grote Markt and went to look at the Martinikerk, where Bibi’s parents were married, and its tower, the Martinitoren. This 16th century church and tower are one of the few remnants of the Golden Age to survive the Liberation Battle of Groningen in 1945. when most of the centre of the city was destroyed. Groningen was liberated on 17th April 1945 and the buildings were later rebuilt. But there is another massive rebuilding programme underway and the 1950’s buildings on the east side of the Grote Markt are being replaced. So the Martinitoren is sharing the skyline with huge cranes.
A day in Drachten - Friday 8th June
In 1921 a local artist, Cees Rienks de Boer, was commissioned to design 16 houses and a school in the town. These were very controversial at the time and were given the nickname parrot houses. These Stijl Houses in Torenstraat have been renovated and are fine examples of the Style Art Movement. Bibi grew up in the same street and lived directly opposite them. Lucy loved them and insisted that she wore her red jersey to be photographed in front of them. She really is becoming a Diva.
Drachten Museum, Museum DR8888, is devoted to the Stijl Movement and includes a lot of work by Piet Mondriaan, the father of Style and his contemporaries.
Since I cycled across the Afsluitdijk I have spent 12 days exploring Friesland, in baking hot sunshine, drizzle and thunder storms. I visited 8 of the 11 cities, and the island of Schiermonnikoog and cycled on cycle paths, often a long way from any roads through the beautiful countryside, along dykes and and beside lakes. The sketch map gives an idea of where I went while I was there.
This afternoon I will head into Drenthe and start new adventures as I explore more of The Netherlands.
Wednesday 6th - Saturday 9th June 2018
Lauwersmeer (Lake Lauwers)
I cycled south from the ferry along the shore of the Lauwersmeer, then followed the river Lauwers that marks the border between the Provinces of Freyslân and Groningen and headed to the city of Groningen. On the way Lucy spotted the Groningen flag, and of course she wanted another jersey.
Groningen is described in the guide books as a vibrant, youthful city, which it certainly is. It has been a University town since 1614 and has a student population of around 40,000. As there was a lot to see and do, I decided to stay for two nights and spent the first evening sitting in a restaurant in the Grote Markt chatting to a University lecturer who, in my opinion, had a very strange view of British politics.
The place where I stayed had an eclectic collection of pictures hanging on the staircases including a map of Warwickshire and a Derbyshire hunting scene.
A Day in Groningen - Thursday 7th June
After a leisure breakfast I set out to explore the city and headed for the Groninger Museum. Since the 1970s there have been severe restrictions on auto movement throughout the city and the excellent cycling infrastructure means that it is almost traffic free. A ring road circles the city and it is difficult to drive through the centre. Everyone cycles or catches a bus from the railway station or the park and ride.
Groninger Museum
This art museum is situated on three islands in the canal and consists of three buildings of very different, modern architectural styles, each designed by a different architect. It houses a collection of local, national and international modern art. But for me it was the interior of the museum that I couldn’t stop photographing. It is very stylish and modern.
Part of the shop in the Groninger Museum
One of the staircases in the museum
After lunch Lucy got very excited as she knew I was going to the Stripmuseum, and she thought she was going to see strippers. But this was the closest she got to one.
But she quickly became engrossed in the exhibits when she realised that it was a museum devoted to Dutch comic strips and she settled down to watch the cartoons while I wandered around looking at the huge display of strip cartoons etc.
Lucy loved watching the cartoon show
There was a lot of information about Martin Toonder and his cartoon characters Tom Poes and Olivier B. Bommel. I wrote about Toonder when I was in Haarlem.
It was also interesting to see foreign comics that had been translated into Dutch. Tintin is called Kuifje in Dutch. I also saw some Dutch copies of the Eagle. A comic that I used to love reading.
I finished the day back in the Grote Markt and went to look at the Martinikerk, where Bibi’s parents were married, and its tower, the Martinitoren. This 16th century church and tower are one of the few remnants of the Golden Age to survive the Liberation Battle of Groningen in 1945. when most of the centre of the city was destroyed. Groningen was liberated on 17th April 1945 and the buildings were later rebuilt. But there is another massive rebuilding programme underway and the 1950’s buildings on the east side of the Grote Markt are being replaced. So the Martinitoren is sharing the skyline with huge cranes.
A day in Drachten - Friday 8th June
I cycled back into Freyslân to spend a bit more time exploring and headed for the town of Drachten.
De Stijl in Drachten
In 1921 a local artist, Cees Rienks de Boer, was commissioned to design 16 houses and a school in the town. These were very controversial at the time and were given the nickname parrot houses. These Stijl Houses in Torenstraat have been renovated and are fine examples of the Style Art Movement. Bibi grew up in the same street and lived directly opposite them. Lucy loved them and insisted that she wore her red jersey to be photographed in front of them. She really is becoming a Diva.
Drachten Museum, Museum DR8888, is devoted to the Stijl Movement and includes a lot of work by Piet Mondriaan, the father of Style and his contemporaries.
Goodbye Freyslân - Saturday 9th June
On Saturday morning I spent my last morning cycling in Freyslân and when I reached the border to cycle into the Province of Drenthe, Lucy stopped to put away her Friesian flag, change back into her orange jersey and eat the last piece of Friesian Suikerbrood.
Since I cycled across the Afsluitdijk I have spent 12 days exploring Friesland, in baking hot sunshine, drizzle and thunder storms. I visited 8 of the 11 cities, and the island of Schiermonnikoog and cycled on cycle paths, often a long way from any roads through the beautiful countryside, along dykes and and beside lakes. The sketch map gives an idea of where I went while I was there.
This afternoon I will head into Drenthe and start new adventures as I explore more of The Netherlands.
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