Utrecht, Netherlands

We woke up in the morning to slightly cooler weather than on Tuesday.    It was very pleasant weather for a trip to Utrecht, two train stops away from Houten.   Utrecht is a charming city, with much class and no red light district.    Well there are a few shop windows advertising women of a certain repute, as we have seen them, and so have the children “Why are those ladies standing in the window,  and wearing underwear”, they chorused.    And of course, there are a few coffee shops around.   But mostly Utrecht is full of charm and elegance.   

 We visited the Dom, the tower of which can be seen in the photograph below.   The tower is separated from the church by about twenty metres, due to a strong wind blowing part of the church down, some five hundred years ago.   It took about two hundred years to clear all the rubble, but now there is a lovely paved area in between the tower and the church.    The inside of the church, which is still Catholic, is left with the quire, and surrounding chapels.  People who attend services have to sit sideways, as the main part of the church, with front facing pews, is no longer there.   

 We had lunch in the lovely cafe, pictured below, where Brian and Walter ordered uitsmijters (ham and eggs on sliced bread) and Susanne and I ordered krokets with sliced bread.     Delicious!   Kylie ordered the healthy option, a salad.  

 The rubbish boat, or at least a recycling boat, was busy emptying the bins from the sides of the canal.  Very efficient!

 Along the some of the canals there are ledges, on which stand small shops and cafes.  

  Lunch in progress in one of the cafes.  I wonder if the people have to rush back to work, or is it a 'long lunch'.

 The man, wearing the orange T Shirt, is obviously getting ready for the European Cup.  Getting into the mood, so as to say.

 The painter of this bicycle, is not sure which colour the bike should be.   A bit of dabbing there.
   

 The bakfiets stands out amongst the crowd.   

And then back to Houten again, for drinks and dinner for some, and a long walk for others, me included.