This morning we left Alkmaar and headed for Gronigen. Our first destination was the Afsluitdijk, a 31km enclosing dam, a 4 lane highway dividing the North Sea and the Isselmeer lake connecting the provinces of Friesland and Groningen to the mainland. At each end of the dam are giant sluice gates to control the ebb and flow of the water between the lake and the sea.

We stopped at the viewing tower and cafe on the mid point of the dam.

Our next stop was the town of Leeuwarden. Leeuwarden is a modern city, but with a ancient mostly 16 century city centre, with many canals and city walls (looks like a diamond) and some great museums. . Leeuwarden is the capital of the beautiful Province of Friesland.

We continued on driving through a number of small villages with very pretty houses.

We then went to Lauwersoog in the Lauwersmeer National Park. Lauewersoog is a recreational area and marina. People gather here to swim sunbathe and sail on the boats.

We then drove on into Groningen where we spent are spending the night. Groningen is university town. It has a lovely university main building dating back to the 1600’s, many fine buildings and museums and for the first time in Holland no canals in the inner city, only one large canal surrounding the outskirts of the city.