Delft from above

Not really bike related, but a good view of Delft from the "new church" tower (completed 1496), which is the second highest in the Netherlands. 376 spiral steps to the top, reversing direction half way up, along with a couple small rooms and lower outdoor viewpoints to use as rest breaks if you need it. We live on the northern edge of the old town, just far enough to escape the commotion of the square when we don't want it, and it minimizes the church bells a bit. The old church and the new church both ring 24 hours, but quieter at night. The old church (1246) is in the top picture. The middle picture is what brought us here in the first place. Thanks IKEA! Bottom pic the main square with city hall on the west end. Thursdays and Saturdays are market days, where vendors set up stalls to sell cheese, flowers, trinkets, etc. On non-market days the restaurants get to spread out their dining tables a bit more. It's a beautiful city to ride a bicycle with many picturesque canals and smooth cobbled streets.