Tiles are not only on display in Delft. You can buy some for yourself. Try the sixteenth century house by the Stadhuis and Markt. You will find tile expert and former champion cyclist Koos Rozenburg and can enjoy friendly conversation while resting up from the rigours of sightseeing. Temptations abound on the shelves-you are warned!

I had another treat when I went to the "Delftstede" as recommended by Koos. This proved to be an indoor market; flea market, second-hand sale, rummage sale; choose your terms. What it is, is a treasure trove of tiles. There are other things too, but I only had eyes for tiles. Too tantalizing. I still think about the Biblical tile showing the Devil tempting Christ from the top of the hill; such a Devil - brilliant painting. Another one even more out of financial reach was a "Saracen". I have never seen one for sale before. It was nice to touch it though. I think the "Delftstede" is an annual event in September. It was held in a building on Phoenixstraat close to the Molen de Roos [Rose Windmill ] This had been a flour mill and the base dates from before 1728. The upper parts were built later; the mill has been restored [1989-90].

You can also browse behind the Nieuwe Kerk at antique shops there. I found "De Porcelijne Lampetkan" which also had a display at the "Delftstede". There were so many friendly vendors here but money doesn't spread to cover all. You must make difficult choices!

We should end our trip through Delft where we began- in the Markt. It was the centre of things. With the Nieuwe Kerk being at the east end of the Markt, we find Gertrude, the Oude Kerk and Antony van Leeuwenhoek in a westerly direction, diagonally opposite the VVV Information Office. The plaques to van Leeuwenhoek are on a fence approximately behind the Stadhuis.The Oude Kerk was closed for Millennium repairs when I visited in September 1998, thus causing me many problems. For tourists there are many such difficulties; another one is that the sun is always in the wrong place for photography! Jan Vermeer lived where the Maria van Jessekerk now is, near the Nieuwe Kerk and just off the Markt, and Hugo Grotius was born in that area too. Grotius' father lived in the building which is now the Delfland Polder Board. Delftware is very much in view at "De Porceleyne Fles" (anno 1653) right on the Markt.

I'm having trouble ending my little trip- there is so much I have left out. How can I stop? I keep thinking of more things to say. We must come here again.