September 27th 2017 - Leper (Ypres)

Today we journeyed to Ypres in rain and very heavy traffic. We were relieved to get to our hotel but we were too early to check in. So off we went into the town for a look round. Ypres is a city with a very rich and varied past. During the First World War it was reduced to rubble but many important building were carefully reconstructed including the Gothic style Sint-Maartenskathedraal. The central square is very attractive.

There were quite a few sweet shop with sweets that were good to look at but not enticing to buy.

The war memorial.

I loved the modern sculpture.

A picture of what the Cathedral looked when it was destroyed in WW1.

Another War Memorial.

And then it was back to the hotel for the final meal of our 2017 autumn break. Tomorrow Cherbourg and then home.

September 26th 2017 - Schipol anmd final purchases in Gouda

We dropped Mary off at Schipol and returned to Gouda to make our final purchases of cheese and stroopwafels. We had a look to see if the patient was better but unfortunately she was not!

We got the rest of our clear up done in preparation for our departure tomorrow and then had a farewell meal.

September 25th 2017 - Kinderdijk and Reeuwijkse

Today we brought Mary to Kinderdijk to see the windmills. Ity was an opportunity to get a bit of a walk.

We followed that with a visit to Reeuwijkse which is a lake near Gouda. There was quite a nice restaurant where we were able to get lunch - Mary hasd ice cream as she always has ice cream once when she is on holiday! Then we helped her to walk it off with a tour round the lake.

Mary's last view of the town hall in Gouda as she is leaving tomorrow.

September 24th 2017 - Delft

Today we took a trip to Delft where we decided, after our Amsterdam experience, to do a walking tour which also included a trip on the canals. Delft is a university town and is well known as the birthplace of Vermeer who did The Girl with the Pearl Earring amongst many others. It is also the home of Delft blue earthenware and the Dutch City of Orange.

This is the Nieuwe Kerk facing Delft City Hall. The architect Hendrick De Keyser designed the City Hall.

The big square in front

Tips for the captain required!

These blue tyred bikes are Swapfiets. Swapfiets is a bike service where you pay a monthly fee in exchange for a robust bike and a support team at the end of the phone. If you need bike maintenance or your bike is stolen you get support within 12 hours. If they can't fix it within 15 minutes they will give you a new one and take your bike with them, fix it and give it to someone else. They guarantee that you will be without a bike for no more than 2 days, including if it has been stolen.

The Beesten Markt is a square in Delft surrounded by terraces and restaurants. It used to be a cattle market from 1595 to 1972 where farmers from the immediate surroundings brought their animals to be sold. In the middle of it is a colourful ceramic bull. Next to the bull there are public benches where I took a wee rest while the guide was telling us the history of the place.

I think this is a mosaic of Hugo Grotius, a lawmaker born in Delft and author of many international laws.

We were tempted to do some dressing up but fortunately the shop was closed.

This is "The blue heart of Delft". It represents the heart of Delft. At night it lights up and you can see it pulsing.. It is made of glass and steel and was created by sculptor Marcel Smink and dates from 1998. It also symbolises how people love Delft blue pottery and the Technical University.

The weigh house

The Delft coat-of-arms.

Canal right up to the doorstep. I wonder how often they are flooded.

Imagine stepping unthinkingly out your back door!

These 2 circles can be removed from the Church wall when there are events on that require camera cables etc.

And then we went to the Vermeer Centre which I thoroughly enjoyed. There are no original Vermeer paintings there but I was happy with the reproductions.

 We had a very enjoyable day in Delft and highly recommend the walking tour.