Riga, another capital city

 Latvia would probably never have been top of our list of countries to visit prior to our being here but we have to say it is very, very nice. Riga has a most beautiful "old town" and it has such a laid back feel. No feeling of being in a mad rush to do anything. I suppose the weather helps and the weather played ball yesterday big style. We were not planning to stay in Riga and so decided to seek out a parking spot to leave the MH while we explored the city before moving on. We had identified several possibilities from our app, all very close to the centre but none of them proved to be suitable for us. They were either not as big as described to accommodate a 7.5m MH or the parking restrictions, and method of payment, were not clear enough for us to risk. We definitely do not want a parking ticket or worse still a reclamation from a pound somewhere. We decided to move outside the town and get a bus or train back in. Just as we were crossing the big bridge out of the town I saw a row of cars parked and I made a hasty exit from the road we had just joined. As we drove along we saw that the vehicles were all parked backside onto the grass verge and there was a sign indicating that this was exactly what was intended for them to do. Since there was plenty grass at the back we were able to select a spot and test my reversing. I am delighted to say my reversing was spot on and we were soon parked prettily in a free carpark. Having walked almost 15km in Helsinki and Tallinn we felt the walk back over the bridge would be a piece of cake and it was exactly that.

So we were soon over the bridge and snapping away. We took loads of photos and I wish I could easily share them all with you because Riga is a truly stunning place. The old town is pedestrianised and you can freely wander around. You will be delighted to know that it is not a people on plinth type city so there are hardly any, even in the photos that never made the cut.

St. Peter's Church

Rīgas Svētā Pētera baznīca

Have a little look at the picture below

Those of you with a better memory may be thinking that you have seen this picture from us before. And you would be right, ... but wrong. Several weeks ago we were in Bremen, Germany and we posted a picture of the "Four musicians of Bremen" a statue of exactly this nature. And this one is labelled as the four musicians of Bremen. So why is it in Riga? I have no idea. It is considered lucky to rub the highest nose you can reach hence the shiny noses. Wee Sheila managed to reach the second nose and I know you think that I am going to say I reached the top one but I didn't even try. I did manage the third one without issue but was not about to embarass myself by making an old man's leap of failure.

Riga has it's own "Symbol of the city" and as it happens it is a black cat. We had seen lots of them for sale in the souvenir shops and decided that it was a must to get a photo and to buy one to go with our little Bremen statue.

So here it is, the Cat House. Hmmm, so where is the cat? Can you see it. If point of fact there are TWO cats and they sit on top of each of the towers. No nose rubbing there then.

Kaķu nams

Here is a bit of a zoom in so that you can see the cat.

The Latvian Academy of Sciences is a great looking building

Latvijas Zinātņu akadēmija (LZA)

Here is the one person on a plinth that was worthy of a spot in this episode. It is the Latvian Freedom monument built to celebrate independence.

I would love to have included some other pictures we took but alas my patience is weakening. 

Here is one I had to add. Picture the scene. Mother Superior is discussing the purchase of the paint for the roof of the church with Del Boy Trotter. He assures her that although the paint is cheap it will be perfect for the job. A subtle shade of green, similar to the colour that copper roofs go after a while in the weather. What could go wrong?

OK that's as much as I can share right now. Riga, if you get the chance, don't miss it.

Take care

D, S and MJ