The building on the left is a chapel dedicated to Johannes Ludovicus Paquay, known as Valentinus. It was quite beautiful inside with some impressive stained glass windows. At there were several people inside praying, we opted not to take any pictures.
This is the main part of the church. The supplicants were in the chapel on the left which contains the remains of Valentinus. He died in 1905 and was beautified in 2000; part of the process of being canonized.
At first glance it seems like plaster has come off of the brick. However, it is not plaster but layers of paint from over the years. If you look closely at the exposed brick you can see some of the colors that the wall has been painted.
The main square and city hall in Hesselt. The crowd were waiting for a wedding couple to emerge. In most of Europe a couple must first be married civilly prior to marrying in a church so this was most likely the first step in a day of celebration and excitement.
Hesselt had many beautiful old buildings but it is not a city I had ever heard of before. This demonstrated one of the many positives of cycle touring; we get to see so many things that are not in any tourist brochure.
There was a large market going on. Most of the vendors seemed to be selling antiques and just plain old junk. We would have liked to see fresh produce and other interesting local specialties.
Marvin took this picture to show how homes are constructed here. In Canada the frame is usually wood. Here they build with cinder blocks and then add the facing. The internal walls are plaster.
The first time Marvin was in Europe my brother brought us to this fries joint in Maastrich. He claimed it was the best. Marvin agreed. As a result, we have come here each time we have been in Maastrecht. Marvin loves the fries with horse meet and gravy and this is the only place we are aware of that you can get it.
The clouds tricked me into thinking this bench was in the shade. The only part in the shade is where Marvin is. We stopped her for a rest from hills and a bite of lunch.
Charlemagne - during his coronation he took the crown from the Pope and placed it on his own head. He did it to indicate that the church and state should be separate from each other. Very radical for the time.
Our room!!! Nice and clean with lovely fresh linens. After doing lots of hills with headwinds today we are looking forward to making sure those beds work!
