Dordrecht - walking city

the old centre of dordrecht is on a very human, walking scale - 5 minutes to the main square and great church; 10 minutes to the station; 1 minute to the harbour, a cafe and bar.

and around every corner, down each cobbled lane a new and beautiful composition. narrow, small-bricked buildings from the 1600s lean into the street like sticky-beaks, flow-glass windows showcase the house's treasures, often with a sleepy cat on the sill.

boats of every size, shape and history - from sleek white cruisers to old tugs and twin-masted side-board sailing giants - rest at mooring in the harbours, just off the massive rivers. 'eleven' 'clarissa' 'pieter boel' roll gently with the wash of the barges pressing in from the maas.

cyclists cruise past purposefully, backs straight, their children on front and back seats, faces flushed, hair streaming.

when caity and hugh have knocked off for the day and are reading or watching tv (they will happily watch dubbed cartoons ) we will go off for another walk just to wander and explore, with no particular destination or purpose. it's that sort of place.