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They say in football circles its best to get off to a good start but I cant say its the best image I have produced on these pages but it serves to introduce the story. What we see here is one third of a Zomertoer ticket costing NLG 129 (EUR 65) giving unlimited access to the railway network of The Netherlands for three days in a given week. It can only be issued during the months of July and August by the way. Being a hard up international artist I decided to make the most of this golden opportunity and try and capture as much as I could in the limited time available perhaps reserving the right to return when I had more time and money. I feel that the fact that I was racing against the clock added a new dimension to the project but it did mean I didn't have as much time as I would have liked in each place and it also meant that despite hiring a bike on the second day my knees where aching for about five days afterwards. Still had I done this another way it could easily have cost five times as much and as you are getting this for free you cant really complain as you can always buy a ticket yourself next Summer and see if you can do better.
We begin on platform spoor 6 of Den Haag Centraal. Dont ask me why I got a late start its too boring for these pages but I had to use the ticket today so off I went.
Some 45 minutes later I find myself in what I think is the largest indoor shopping centre above the station in Utrecht. Its rather like the former Bull Ring and Pallasades above New Street station in Birmingham good shops but too stressful to really enjoy the experience.
The most famous landmark in the university and film town of Utrecht. The Dom. Although all the paths and canals are curved you can always work out where you are by the relative location of this imposing structure.
The canals that run through the centre of Utrecht are curved and sunken making it a great place for wandelingen.
Make your own jokes here but will they be as serene and serious after a wild Friday night in the establishment they guard so jealously during the rest of the week.
The Dom seen though some trees and a bridge.
Away from the hustle and bustle of the Hoog Catherijn shoppers can wander freely along
the narrow passageways.
One for the trainspotters this one. Utrecht really
is the Crewe of Holland. Lines from Den
Haag and Rotterdam (left) intersect with the mainline from Amsterdam to
Eindhoven and Maastricht (ground level) with an opportunity to connect with
trains to Arnhem, Cologne and the North of The Netherlands.
Where the F**k have I left my bike.
This was taken in Amersfoot by the way.
The noble art of cycling is honoured with a statue.
Most of the pictures in this series feature old town halls and churches but Id thought Id include this rather splendid modern public building in Amersfoort.
A more traditional structure somewhat similar to The Dom.
The old gate to the town of Amersfoort with the coat of arms above the arch.
Heading back to the station we get an idea of the amount of office development that has taken place in recent years.
Time to catch the train to our next destination. At this point the strain was beginning to tell but like Michael Pailin I felt I had to press on.
The view from the carriage. I have to say I didn't think this one would come out but you can clearly see the rainbow above the farmhouse.
I didn't get much time to get to know Zwolle as I was seduced by the welcoming sight of a bar offering Guinness to the weary traveller. More colionial influence in the archetecture here though reflecting the town former properrity.
Another church. Im sure you are getting tired of these by now.
A restful sight of a fountain surrounded by a flower bed.
The clouds are gathering above the Ijssel (part of the Rhine delta) but youll be pleased to hear I managed to reach the station without getting another soaking.
Uit De Muur Eten. Literally eating from the wall. The idea is that you can get hot snacks prepared in the kitchen behind the vending machine by putting your NLG 2.50 (EUR 1.70) in the slot and opening the small door.
These next two shots take some explaining. The train portion on the left is from Leeuwaarden and is going to Den Haag and the portion on the right is destined for Rotterdam. They meet in Zwolle and travel together to Utrecht before splitting and heading in their respective destinations.
Here we see the sections coupled and ready for departure. Note this was done entirely automatically and it is now possible to walk between the train sections without stepping outside.
We arrive at the ancient university town of Groningen in the very North of The Netherlands. There is just enough light left to take a few photographs before it gets too dark.
The rather imposing Post Office building (already privatised by the way).
The church tower more colourful than those further South.
I just managed to get a shot of this imposing terminus before the light faded.
Its just about dark now but as I've come all this way I feel I've got to pop along the coast for a quick beer after all its completely free (not the beer stupid the train travel. Now that would be some ticket.)
Here we are
Leeuwaarden in the dark. Hardly
anyone about a quick Hamburger and a beer then its back to the station for the
train home via Amersfoort and Amsterdam.
Centraal Station in Amsterdam. My ticket was valid until 4.00 a.m so I felt I had to extract maximum value from the offer.
The second part of the journey including the towns of Arnhem, Eindhoven and Maastricht will be coming to a web browser near you in just a few days time..