Italy, Florence – Part 1

Florence was beautiful. Florence is beautiful. It is patently obvious from the moment you step off the train why so many people yearn to go there, and then forever yearn to go back again. I purposely organised all our travel days to have no commitments other than travel, and was rewarded for this when the travel ended up being really easy and uncomplicated!

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We arrived with no hassles, walked our bags to the new hotel, got settled, and then were free to head out and roam around this beautiful city! Would you like to know more?

Leiden – Part 2

So we were in Leiden, the photographic walking tour ended up being a bit of a bust, but it was a Saturday, and therefore it was Market Day.

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Netherlands markets are just amazing and wonderful! There is so much to see, hear, smell, and touch, they inspire all your senses. Would you like to know more?

Markets

We took the weekend off for the first time in what feels like months (and between packing and moving, probably has been) in order to head on up to the local market and check it out.

Locally we have both a farmers market full of fresh produce and an “antiques” market. Though I think they term antiques more liberally than I do …

Flowers are prevalent all over Amsterdam.

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They are also inexpensive and vibrant!

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More evidence of bicycles everywhere, and evidence of the customisation! I can’t wait to have my own bike and drape it in flowers and astro turf in the basket! (it’s looks better than it sounds. If you’re into that kind of thing of course)

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Being me, I found the yarn. Damn it was hard to walk away from alpaca at that price. But I have about a kilometre to go on the Evenstar Shawl. I must remain focused! Then the nice man told be he had a bricks and mortar store during the week! All was not lost!

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All this goes on in the shadow of the local castle. (No it’s not a castle, but just look at it!!!)

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I really wished I’d asked for the price of this set. Then I might not be pining over this photo. *pulls a sad face*

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Something that sets markets here apart from those in Australia is weapons on sale. Not only did we see these swords, but there were sai, and a slingshot!

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I loved these strap on ice skates! Made me wonder if they were still useable, or a big seller a few months ago when the big freeze was on and everyone was on the canals!

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There was a large hippie contingent of clothing stalls at which you could buy anything you’d find at Tree of Life or the Glebe Markets. Not inspiring to me, but handy to know.

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But there was so much stuff to fossick through! And it was a very enjoyable time just wandering and exploring.

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I also found a Baedeker! If it hadn’t been in French I would have bought it …