The Tour - Tuesday 29th May

Once again the Band had a leisurely start to the day - helped by the fact that the Hotel served breakfast during the week until the very civilised time of 10:30 (am!). The daytime was once again free, but after a quick discussion, it was decided that we would visit Camp Westerbork, followed by lunch in Gronigen, before returning to the hotel to prepare for our evenings concert in Uithuizermeedam.

The entrance to the museum at Camp Westerbork.

Camp Westerbork was a transit camp for Dutch Jews during the German occupation, though it was originally a refugee camp set up by the Dutch government to house people (mainly Jews) leaving Germany (and also Austria, Poland, and Czechoslovakia), in the hope of escaping the Nazi regime. Once the Netherlands became occupied, the Germans used the camp to hold mainly Jews and Gypsies, prior to their transportation to Germany, and other eastern occupied countries, where they faced incarceration and death, at one of several concentration camps. Between 1942 and 1945, 107,000 people left Camp Westerbork on 93 trains (around 1,150 per train), for destinations such as Bergen-Belsen, Theresienstadt, and Aushwitz-Birkenau. Only 5,200 of these people survived. Whilst very peaceful, Camp Westerbork didn't have the deathly silence found at the concentration camps, but was particularly noticeable from the displays and records held in the museum, was the number of musicians to pass through German hands.

Following this visit, a quieter more thoughtful coach headed from Westerbrok, upto Gronigen, where the Band had some free time.

An 'arty' shot of driver Pete in action.

Whilst wandering the streets we came across this familiar looking Dutch girl.

Alison had a cunning plan to look petite.

Simon had to take this picture as he wasn't wearing a blue jacket.

The outdoor market, and Church.

If you think those are healthy sized portions, you should have seen the size of the main course!

Not a beer in sight.

Make this the last picture........ I'm hungry.

Just stand there Alison, its not an action shot.

An improvement....... just. Obviously the top end of the Horn Section don't use 'Harmony'.

The 'luncheon' venue. Not sure about the washing hanging out at the side though.

That's better.

We'll take the high road.....

and we'll take the low road.

Can't beat a post lunch snooze.

The Church at Uithuizermeedam - and yes the tower is meant to be at a jaunty angle.

The evening's entertainment.

The calm before the storm.

No, not the storm - just a quick rehearsal before the audience arrives.

I thought you were bringing the music!

The Percussion Section of De Lofklank Ureterp in action. And what a stunning back row - but what is Alexine doing there?

Why do people never sit on the front row next to the trombones?

Poacher turned gamekeeper.

There's a novelty - a quiet shed-builder.

De Lofklank Ureterp under the direction of Luuk Tuinstra.

Brassband Immanuël Eemsmond, and their Musical Director Marco Middelberg.

The Jazz Club boys.

Andy & Neil, the Band Euphonium Section.

Halfway through the tour and the first casualties of tiredness begin to emerge.

Whilst the youngsters slept on, the three bands joined together for a buffet and a beer.

The Kennedy's 'on tour'. By my reckoning there is Mum, Dad, Aunt, Uncle, Husband, Wife, Daughter, Nephew, Nephew, and 3 Cousins.

I'm not sure what is happening here, neither of them appear to be talking, or drinking.

Ah, they just needed a refill(s). Well done Mel.

You can tell the Trombonist - concentrating on the job in hand.

Why is Alison smiling - she's on a mission with her camera.

And the results - something to do with George Clooney apparently.

Meanwhile at the other side of the bar, Jim practices his Double Dutch.

Be careful Jim, there's something not quite right here.

Our Canadian (of Scottish descent) playing with an English Band in the Netherlands.

Thank goodness, we've got rid of the kids.

Yes, and look what happens.

Five hands - six beers.

Behind you Kathy!

Come on Simon, put the bottle the right way round.

Neil collects one for the road, and then realises they're all empty.

Another young Kennedy with the brush and pan, after another case of butter fingers.

So if the photographer is standing up straight, these two must have a bit of a wobble on.

Of course we can stand up straight, we're supporting the table not the other way round.

Flute practice for Thomas and Andrew.

Drinking practice for Simon.

Seems like a nice boy.

I like this vegetarian beer.

Time to go Gareth......

.....the ladies are tired.

So we all got on to the bus, oops!

So we all got on to the coach, but by the time the ladies had powdered their noses all the in-flight refreshments had been finished.

Probably the fastest snapper in the world.

"Time for bed" said Zebedee.

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