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Breakfast at 8:30 and on my way. Breakfast was great. Plentiful coffee, yogurt from the farm with cinnamon and raisins, fresh crusty rolls with cheese and meats, walnuts from the yard-yum! Mike & G drew out a walking tour of the city for me. They told me it would take about 2.5 hours. The plan was to be done about lunch time and then play it by ear.
Well....I never did actually completely finish the tour. I got distracted- delightfully.
Starting out, I took pictures of the streets because it really seemed like I was the only one in town. I toured a lace factory and totally understand why it cost so much. Did you know that chantily lace was predominantly black lace? Who knew? Then I found this amazing dark little church called the Jeruselem church. The alter peice was bejeweled with skulls. I went behind the alter to a small chamber lit with glowing red candles and crept through a 3 ft high arch into a prayer chamber. I didn't linger and I checked for ventilation before committing. I was already an hour behind schedule.
Nearing the outsidr boudary to the city, I passed 4 old restored windmills. Between the 3rd and the 4th, I was lucky to witness locals in a sword match. This wasn't a tourist show. They do this for sport. All in the shadow of the windmills next to the canals. Amazing! I went to the gates of the old city and watched the bridge raise to let a ship pass. I stopped at the yacht harbor and then into the heart of the city. I toured the Half Moon Brewery- the only one still working within the city walls, There are pictures in the Album just for Vadim and Bill. You will know them when you see them. I am not sure what is more pervasive here- chocolate or beer. There is a place with 700 beers available . The varieties of chocolate have to exceed that. By this time, it was about 1:30. I stopped for a drink in a foliage canopied cafe. Refreshed, I headed for the famous 'Chocolate Line'. The chocolate shop where Europe's premier chef practices his majic. Walking away- dazzled- I followed my nose into a cafe and ordered hot chocolate. Let me tell you- I will never again rip open a powder packet spiked with dehydrated marshmallows and call it a treat. Hot chocolate here is an art form. Beutiful, rich- an experience. They call it ' white coffee' It is just as addictive. It is a very good thing I walked about 7 hours today. Pics on line. I shopped and finally forced myself to abort the marked trail at 6 pm. I need to get back and shower before my big splurge- dinner at Dyers at 7:30. They say it is a 10 min walk....but they don't make allowance for distractions.
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Terri enchanting record <3