Thursday, 6 August. We awoke in Nijmegen to another sunny day. This is the oldest city in the Netherlands, originating with a Roman camp on the Waal River, a branch of the Rhine. The ship was moored near the bridge storied in the movie A Bridge Too Far. Jane was feeling better and decided to go on the optional tour to the National Liberation Museum outside of Groesbeek. I had noticed that the ship had a wheelchair and suggested that she use it for the tour. That worked fairly well, and she got through the museum without incident. The museum featured World War II exhibits, and particularly Operation Market Garden and the "largest airborne operation in history" in September 1944. It was interesting, but hardly worth the time and money for the tour. One section of the building was designed to look like the roof was made of parachutes.
 

This was "A Bridge Too Far"

"Parachute" covered section of the museum

Crossing the river in canvas boats

We got back to the ship around noon and immediately left on a walking tour of Nijmegen. Again we took the wheelchair for Jane. There were steps in a few places, sometimes a lot of them, but Jane managed them all right while others in the group helped me with the wheelchair. We took a series of narrow lanes, first stopping at a memorial to the city's Jews who were killed in World War II, then at a marijuana store, and passing St. Steven's Church (13th century).
 

Memorial to Nijmegen's Jews

Your friendly neighborhood marijuana store

St. Steven's Church tower

Then we walked through the old Church Gate (1542) into the Grote Markt. Just inside the gate was a statue of Mariken, subject of a local legend. Many 16th century buildings enclose the square, most conspicuously the Waag (Weigh House)(1612). Prior to the establishment of international standards for weights, reliability in determining the weight of goods was very important. Consequently, weigh houses were run by local authorities. They were especially prevalent in the Netherlands.

Old Church Gate & Mariken statue

The Weigh House

Latin School (1545)

Interesting ship moored next to ours

We got back to the ship about 1:15, and lunch was waiting for us. The ship sailed for Bonn at 1:30. We were glad to have the afternoon free. Jane rested and we both read. I went to the port talk at 6:45 and persuaded Jane to join me for dinner in the dining room at 7:00. Getting out and socializing has always improved her spirits, and it did this time, too.

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