Day 10, Feb. 5, 2012

Is it really the last day of our trip already? Wow where did the time go? We have had the most wonderful time and enjoying it with everyone we have met has made it that much more beautiful. The four of us attended church at the LDS Chapel in Leiden. Then our day would be full of sightseeing in this lovely town with Rennie and Rene', Dove and Jon.I think we have created an Angry Bird monster. Alex enjoyed playing it on my tablet.
And I guess it's really coming to an end. Stuart thought we better get all checked in for our flight. This means good bye, so sad!

I told you he was having fun, look he's still playing!

Yvonne has all sorts of picture's, which she calls her memory wall. Anybody recognize the three sillies up in the left hand corner? It's the Carter clan! Yvonne has trip pictures from the past, newspaper clippings and Rosa all posted up.

We met the other couples in Leiden, jumped on a bus to the center of town.

More ice skaters enjoying the fresh ice.

Welcome to Leiden!

And their quaint little streets covered with snow. I'm sure there is no snow there now, all the flowers are blooming now.
This is the city hall, the bells were ringing loud and strong in the background. What a pretty sound it was.

This is a museum Rene' had remodeled through his work.

Leiden is the home of Rembrandt. He was born and raised here. This picture and statue stands on the location of his birth home. It was torn down before he was famous.

This is the school where he studied and learned art.

Something new they are trying here in Leiden is called "Tree Knitting", their goal is to have all the trees covered to keep them warm in the wintertime. Now isn't that something unique?
This is the Pieterschurch in the back ground, built in 1121. This was Leiden's first church.
This is one of the pillars in the church. You can see how big they are compared to me, they make me look tiny!
Inside the church is a cemetery for the rich or elite. You can see the head stone carvings on the floor.
The only covered bridge in the Netherlands and it's right here in Leiden. It was used as the market place where all would come sell their wares.
A castle called the De Burcht or Citadel. This is the oldest surviving example of a motte castle.

Hi Jon and Alex!

And look at this they keep the "royalty" from falling on the ice!

This is great, we found a place to warm us up with hot chocolate and a pound of slaagram. Catching up on some laughter with great friends also warms us up.

Rennie and Rene' hosted our going away dinner that evening. They live on the 11th floor (or as I call it, the Penthouse). Wow what a view of the city.

Our gracious hosts.

And their greeting committee, James and Oliver.

We start off with tea and cake. Look at the variety.

Cheese and mustard to try as an appetizer. Liverwurst was also provided for us newbies. Stuart had some but me, "no thanks". Raw and steamed oysters were also provided, look at Stuart go for those!

Rennie had the table set so perfectly. She makes one heck of a hostess.

They had fixed mussels and all the trimmings.

They spoiled those of us that wouldn't be dining on mussels with a delicious chicken wrapped in ham and baked in cream sauce.

For dessert, apple tart and ice cream.

What a beautiful view, great conversation and food. What could be better?

Not having to leave!

Now parting gifts, let the crying begin! Dove surprised me with the picture we had taken at the Bloggers Bee. I will cherish this day for a very long time.

Getting late, there is packing to do and goodbyes are never fun.

But for this group it's not

"tot ziens"

Good-bye

but

"tot wij elkaar weer"

Until we meet again

(maybe I can learn this language)