"I'd thought of Delft, the Dutch town where the book is set, as very filmworthy. It still retains its seventeenth century layout, with cobbled streets, canals and bridges, gables and a market square with an eight-pointed star in the centre. If you ignore all the cars, bicycles and signs, it looks like a perfect set for a film." ~ Tracy Chevalier, The Guardian

College towns,
and their youthful vibe have always been my fave...
so when you add pottery shopping and famous artists to the mix...
has it all...
 on top of the ubiquitous canals of The Netherlands.
 is the largest and oldest Dutch technical university and it still offers explosion science as a topic of study because of the 'Delft Explosion' back in 1654.

We were in Delft for a guided dinner tour through the city.
Bless his heart...
our guide honestly thought fifteen women 
could 'have a quick look' for FIVE minutes in a Delft pottery shop.
Needless to say,
the history lessons were shortened.
Our first stop introduced us all to the Dutch 'bitterball'
and an amazing 'fruity' beer.
Johannes Vermeer, one of the great Dutch Masters, was born in Delft in 1632 and of course the subject for the film, Girl With A Pearl Earring.

Many of the buildings of Vermeer's Delft 
are still standing proudly...
or, as in the case of the Old Church (Oude Kerk) tower...
built in 1350...
still stands stubbornly...
like a boxer refusing to fall,
and looked up to no other,
until the New Church was completed in 1496. 

As we walked to our next course we stopped for a few background stories...
but I continue to be fascinated with how The Netherlands deals with water.
Needless to say...
 the management of it is a big deal
and explains the need for The Water Board.

We enjoyed de V...
and then made our way to...
La Tasca for our mains...
 and of course, dessert.

History is much more palatable when paired with food...
don't you think?

Have a wonderful Wednesday.


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