UTRECHT

UTRECHT
Four weeks after I fell off my bike and damaged my ankle we were back in Utrecht to have the strapping changed again.
We are moored in the Catherine Singel Gracht again and there are a lot more boats here as holiday time has started in the south.

The tourist bureau has walk around Utrecht printed in English and it was really good being able to read about the buildings we saw as usually there is a description in dutch on the wall but too difficult for us to understand.

At 112metres you can almost see the Dom Tower from any street in Utrecht.

This delightful garden is in the middle of Utrecht and was once the cloister garden of the 11th century St Mary’s Church. The friends of St Mary’s look after the garden with plantings of medicinal and kitchen herbs and traditional old fashioned flowers.


As we wandered along the lower level of the Oudegraght we read that these buildings were once the warehouses and businesses of Utrecht and the little sculptures near each door signified what the business was.



There are so many beautiful old building in Utrecht and many like this one are now used for the University faculties.

Soon it was time for a coffee and apple tart. “Which café shall we choose “says Margaret. “Not the coffee shop over there “ said I followed by some traveller education.


As we set off back to the boat we passed the flower stall where the roses were selling 40 stems for 5 euro, how I wish we could get flowers at these prices back home.

As we walked the world goes by on bicycles.

Margaret enjoyed the boat tour through Utrecht which had an english commentary.


Then we had a very pleasant lunch on the canal side. Utrecht is quite unique with the modern city and shopping on the upper level, built because the original 10th century city along the canal was prone to flooding. Now there are some private houses on the lower level but most are restaurants making it a pleasant waterside eating spot. The restaurants also have there main rooms under the road and buildings above which is great for colder weather.


This year is the start of a new walk around Utrecht at night to view many of the historic buildings. The pathway through the streets is lit by small lights in the pavement



One of the most enjoyable museums we have ever visited was The National Musical Clock and Organ Museum of Utrecht situated in an old church. There were the most amazing sounds from the organs which ranged from small hand turned organs to large street organs and huge organs which filled the stage in dance halls.

Our guide was a delightful girl who translated everything in English for us. The musical clocks were amazing in their range.

This painting allowed the very rich owner to have his own town hall chimes in his living room.

A singing nightingale

Cute little musical rabbits

There were a lot of beautiful Pianola, this one was accompanied by 3 Violins.


The organs ranged from small hand driven to the larger street organs and the ballroom organs which sounded like an orchestra.



If you are anywhere near Utrecht you must visit here.

Soon it was time to take Margaret back to the railway station and for me to get my ankle attended to and head off to our next destination which was Arnhem.

Bye Margaret, we had a great time.

Have been to the Zikkenhuis, the swelling has gone down a lot, the bandage is smaller and I can fit into my sneaker without the laces, it is much more comfortable than wearing one of Kevin’s sneakers as mine fit much better onto a stair tread. I don’t know how men climb stairs and fit their big shoes onto each step without falling.

Tomorrow we head for Arnhem.