The Dutch have a great train system except when it's on strike. We were hoping for a day trip into Amsterdam but arrived at the Leiden train station to find notices on all the ticket machines, nothing running and the platforms completely empty. We would have gone into Amsterdam the day before, if we had know but we had not seen any news or information. It must have been the only time we never checked out the tourist information centre straight after we had checked into our accommodation. It was possible to make in Amsterdam by bus but it turned a half hour trip into two and half hours on two buses and a tram. The Hague sounded like a better option with one much shorter direct bus. It was raining when we arrived at the home of the Dutch parliament, the Kings office and the International courts but it was still good to have a look around some where new. Some totally relative art for todays weather.A carry on luggage trip mean there was no room of any tourist mementosWe did not bother with the observation deck on this cold, wet and overcast day but I am sure it is worth the effort and a good cardio workout on a nice day.A nice mural to brighten up a bit of a dull day.Looks like the trains were not the only ones on strike.Perfect weather for the ducks but even they looked cold.We had lunch in a food hall next to the empty train station.Some random place selling flowers on the bus back to Leiden.
