Carcassonne Central
Carc Central Community => General => Topic started by: Willem on March 30, 2022, 12:57:11 PM
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A while back, i was talking with Dan, Tom and Rich on Discord, and i believe Rich mentioned how surprisingly few people had gotten the badge 'Played Carcassonne in Carcassonne'
That got me thinking, and being cheeky, i checked flights from the UK to Carcassonne...
You never guess what happened next?!
So, me and my partner booked flights and an AirBnB, to go to Carcassonne! I hear it's nice there, so let's hope for the best!
We'll be leaving tomorrow early morning, and i thought it could be nice to make a little blog of our trip and tour through the city :)
I'll also be posting about it on the Carcassonne Museum Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/the_carcassonne_museum/), so let's see how the trip goes, and if i can find some hidden treasure there!
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As one who would love to visit Carcassonne someday, I look forward to reading your blog and hopefully seeing lots of pictures!
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Cool. We were there in 2019. Very nice. Definitely must see is Cathedral!!!
Odoslané z SM-A202F pomocou Tapatalku
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Definitely must see is Cathedral!!!
And remember the visit only counts if you complete the Cathedral tour.
Safe travels!
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Have a great trip! We visited back in 1999 with my then-girlfriend (who is actually my girlfriend still :-) which is so long ago that I even do not have any photos from that trip in my computer, just the real ones in one of our dusty family albums. Now I realize that it was so ancient visit that no board game was around yet.
Do you fly directly to Carcassonne airport? It has only a handful of direct services (and as in one of my other geek lives I am an air travel geek, I would be interested to see some airport photos...). One of its alterative names is an apt "Aéroport de Carcassonne en Pays Cathare"...
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Have a great trip, @Willem!
Play at least one game in Carcassonne, take a bunch of meeples with you and sign them while in the city. You could always certifty those meeples visited the city. ;)
Have lots of fun! :(y) :(y) :(y)
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Do you fly directly to Carcassonne airport? It has only a handful of direct services (and as in one of my other geek lives I am an air travel geek, I would be interested to see some airport photos...). One of its alterative names is an apt "Aéroport de Carcassonne en Pays Cathare"...
RyanAir has daily flights to Carcassonne from Stansted.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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We indeed flew from London Stansted directly to Carcassonne. It was only just undern2 hours, so actually quicker than I thought.
We've arrived at our apartment, basically right in between the town centre and the old city. I'll do a more elaborate post later today ;D
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So, summary of Day 1:
We tried to give ourselves a lot of extra time to get to the airport. We live about 100 miles/160 km away from the airport, and expected some traffic, so left with plenty of time.
And our expectations became reality, as there was a big delay, so an alternative route got us at the airport in time!
Then the flight itself was also delayed, without much reason given. So we sat at the gate, played some carcassonne on our phones and ate M&Ms ;D
Finally, the plane was set to take off! During the flight I mainly listened to music and played carcassonne; the usual.
Once arrived, our Airbnb hostess actually came to pick us up! Amazing service!
When we got to the apartment, I remembered how ideally located it is.
Right between the newer centre of town and the old city.
The view from around the corner:
(https://dub01pap001files.storage.live.com/y4mwAh5pzGU6Hg90wYs-SMX87uTnX2wIAPJs1jIcG9ACxGat08lwiMpelsmtQ0DdYEwiH9dgadOctwFTtqYwyWlzWUDQG9Q8T1FFvh9an1CX_whtCP-_b_k7XDiKnUIPSLy8EPpObyOnpfK-E-gMSOibORJmPifDg7zr9ilcXsRGzGZa4CAUUKokaAn9OAtupJV?width=660&height=371&cropmode=none)
As the weather seemed ok, we decided to have an exploration walk to the old Cité de Carcassonne! (Of course I already had a destination in mind....)
There's multiple roads leading up to the old city, but I really liked this stairwell, leading up
(https://dub01pap001files.storage.live.com/y4mzD65QUr--js60bxI1SXqXyDnOBSnBCh6q_e8fvgt3eDK0tp-6L-LXGyMA3EbJAl-qnF7MIRcKR2ErbF1p9_5vyAWLfEOrNaVk1Wk_I1iJezgNaZwThbLiVGeixlGRdIvIl_WOuNcx6kll4DQDg9zeNau4s-NFlLKS3PeR9d5L8xi81sckH5xijKOMgJR_YcQ?width=371&height=660&cropmode=none)
Just up and around the corner was the entrance that I was looking for. I had to make sure it was the right one though
(https://dub01pap001files.storage.live.com/y4m7nTaZGVV475AtESECsYUVO4kbwlClDLaSHs57ltVdrDQSylkHxsNwC4dGjFvxkqTsYwSgTNyF0jOF-EPCqoqrN4uQ14jFadZAIeFshDuFecn4EaFPwShGDh-1dhzdbCJSP1_iTJQLpE-UlOp6mTIOSt1vYjMI3TNSGHKdrwQ0DTi91rwSwIqIMPvMA4QPwop?width=371&height=660&cropmode=none)
Looks good to me!
I did try to write something about the river expansion being included, but couldn't reach. Might need to try and photoshop it in later..
(https://dub01pap001files.storage.live.com/y4mPF5gbjICPrBd1qEY5E_IIv7cF0I9vsI0wpYZ_qaRcgU_N1t3RmUkhGWlsxk89Yqc1lp48NaDFV757LYVEzxdR6FnuShNaVYxJPe6KJxw6NSz-QYQmTw2zpp2yrFO5NGLTMXppG4HSF31kFK6-O0M69r7mvS80raxdwSXcb2jVZBugOqinE_u7X7j3Qe7Z-f8?width=371&height=660&cropmode=none)
We walked around in the old city for a bit, admiring the pretty sight and beautiful watchtowers
(https://dub01pap001files.storage.live.com/y4mytkgz3KPeYKeFODmyMb0xdJjoXxniZ6MQos6AhBiRL101v76tXa3H2sh--eSLktLIrFOxS4AnCjdkWERQLjyUQzAPrOzV_Nl9lb4t3lrTqaXe_Kb_R3DnvKnM-34s2tCSp_Z9eiAapOAZKru8Pap6kBYcFboyMmp3VeZsZ-sC973rDhDJvdTvzx6V8MdgYsI?width=371&height=660&cropmode=none)
We then went for a nice dinner in the newer city.
Tomorrow we'll be back in the old city, Browsing through the shops and trying to find some nice souvenirs!
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Great pictures! :(y) :(y)
What do people say about the traces of the yellow circunference arcs?
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It's a very mixed bag.
Some people love that it's still showing, but also many didn't like the art project itself, and that the rings are still showing. And as they don't pressure wash the walls, those rings will be here for a while....
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So, day 2 (so far)
Woke up late, because we could, and walked back up to the old city for breakfast.
We found a nice old looking place, and had a nice omelet with a coffee!
Then we decided to do the castle tour! The Castle inside the city is a big feature of the old city, so we had to have a look!
I did think this would be nice for @Meepledrone
(https://dub01pap001files.storage.live.com/y4msLqqHD-HgFIryBnjQpgs2VkoquI8_uTL41XVB9GdkQV3mnI5TFBBQXWdXAD2UvpQiZhWLTOSG1XTknCfvWB7oaBT3RFmx7qGMv8aSRE5iDnO_-Dg3HOaq_RUTEbcRdblZ1iovSkm44hF2nyghntc2yvGSpKDHOX0R4nIU4Ftwa9C-e8JSHnmSc2wvYHF31Nu?width=371&height=660&cropmode=none)
The tour continued through the castle and its walls:
(https://dub01pap001files.storage.live.com/y4mrpGyhwMky-nL8zzBCAVO4eLgXs40m4A6zPWpvd1QxEkxbB0R2SdFdD-dMRwJqy0vnCxpNMsHTfo9PRC2P2n5Y_NNBRO4XrDcNfT84_k36FP77lK7g-_ratFMOqgefHfpeA3-vRCqQb73vyB_U_PveAuOQlY0-j_REXe-2bWx92YowPVh7YCXp58bInmirFzO?width=495&height=660&cropmode=none)
And then there was an optional extra, to walk on the walls you about halfway around the city!
Of course we did that, despite the harsh wind, and I managed to find the spot for the C2 box art! This one is just not accurate, as the ledge that the 2 figures are on, as well as the higher ledge that the player is on, don't exist. But it was close enough
(https://dub01pap001files.storage.live.com/y4mmdWDpdlfRHvcG8U6dRfxbhN5DPfQEWMt6qa_Hi58Rvnp2ad0CfCl94pyM_cGK8L8gmP8lPgQppo7k2TElpNK3nE48vRdp44Sh04i03p-LewXQ_MwJdnhUyyiZDemNK8SEs49EwO_yK_0NlKEj-NwcxQf1Uq6Ctbf78i9UDBHKwd0U-KM_Y7oQ-6PrvBO6H1-?width=371&height=660&cropmode=none)
Walking along the wall, we also found a Cathedral in the city! Best make sure to finish the city before the end now!
(https://dub01pap001files.storage.live.com/y4mXwXK4joZMlNbUvcNKQcFG08-ueaFpDr0fNKvTTPMTtvQT4Huu88CZQejhWCj2AmjQdFTH6jmejxDyMBQ0KD6zER8mGWZsViYRJWxofeueVZpPQ02cdOZQzYNuNM301iRZsc6pwkmIsBI5yoQXzTGWdNMYupNSHYzuOUulNwUBnzbmhQ_jZbl6sss-bMHb-Wi?width=660&height=371&cropmode=none)
And of course, the age old discussion about the colour of the roofs. As seen on earlier pictures; the roofs of the towers are blue, right?
Well, it seems camp orange was right as well...
(https://dub01pap001files.storage.live.com/y4mtMaB3o2KEiK6bgRX-0N3Px0V_MjoieCjTValTmzznsMl5lJ92ZJrge5H53-AfNqrYgjHL9Js18DON5d9irZKEj8i558JUBjkylJYpumYZQwTXwMjCAqxL4pSW0PWF5sdC66-b-uRUDMORNG-FyaAnMghPf_KisUk02AzwXK8dYyjTlDXotiikFL7kMZFL-wI?width=660&height=371&cropmode=none)
Castle tour done, we got some souvenirs. They were of course selling the base game at temhe gift shop, and I found 1 other shop that had the game+expansions. When talking with the owner, I told him about the forum and the massive online community for the game. He was very pleased, and went into the back only to return with something very special for me:
(https://dub01pap001files.storage.live.com/y4mn9eNky4OidKhkyojz6kUCmo0aIMe9m571rwEt6kjPeWF7baUef4c0s9gTxj1ld3dIoAHBfVHjOYxi7QprX9nezZietyOJGWoeenX7yZpCDtGz94g74l3O7p7I3e27-v07cn_hGMXOdepPXi9u-PaYA8c_0RhPqMTojwoQM5qfC4fLDebIQMoS-0ifDCxq7Lo?width=371&height=660&cropmode=none)
Carcassonne has been part of the UNESCO world heritage for ages now. In 2018, to celebrate its 20th anniversary of just that, a special art project was set up, creating the yellow rings on the city. The rings were removed, but they are still visible to this day.
It seemed that, together with HiG, a special edition of the game was made! I had doubts about it, but actually holding it here!
A very special addition to my collection!
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Nice find wih the yellow rings...! >:D
"Le Château Fort 3D" looks awesome... :(y) :(y)
Enjoy a lot!
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I managed to find the spot for the C2 box art! This one is just not accurate, as the ledge that the 2 figures are on, as well as the higher ledge that the player is on, don't exist. But it was close enough
This is so great. Thanks @Willem so much for sharing your trip with all of us. +1 Merit.
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Today has been a snowy, rainy and just bad day.
Hopefully the weather will improve, and we'll go out to the newer part of town today
Although some things cannot be forgotten here!
Of course we had to play Carcassonne, in Carcassonne! And to be more specific, at the entrance of the old city!
I had to think about where to place my first tile though...
(https://dub01pap001files.storage.live.com/y4mrhBEsK3xErJXoT82inJJMGKoCA1qXYQizmwo79g6n-sa5_RZG50bvhVWj7AsjY00bz4UAIeUNkRHETPn8e4IwRFs7lZhyAtB84mp98vcs7HV3grdBlUqBZ1qq_PWbp2lwRDmrH7Wo2lu4yuOtCROGnPX9xDBiHXoLfQHG3AHMmOPSFH6XhKbeMkH6YOVGmAo?width=371&height=660&cropmode=none)
But I found a good place!
(https://dub01pap001files.storage.live.com/y4mmsgQ42Fa9JwFSwISm9MN1WCYWCebpzb1w_xKyyorl9vCu1jwjrTG6wj3pheUUjqhjV1fWTgpXpgFHQDRzKmEOSI7NBp30nY1td8AFqR4oJ0Nu7Vh2DrhY0WZgsraIKT-wEX4y8RfbuiSOGUA0XCsaVWCu1lKbW_OrWYQ9tx65W2l0QWdYpdGMXPZidbMOj3T?width=371&height=660&cropmode=none)
And I tried to claim the field, although it was a bit wet and dirty
(https://dub01pap001files.storage.live.com/y4md2mFR_0lLJ-mPeGuaLmedk15liPlVPni-4jf9Pkmk6yIV3jBbSGaAD8cZ71sD0L-GC8BEgmd6Gup-znhm-b2ufA7fcLXhhQZfhgk1nG8OhCooO_PMOmdMLeAbKKqTenRCcvf2unZ3669TIhDbqiyFgRxHl2nWmPGXsP8t1vBLhDWG7es-3B3CINVlcoD1Cxw?width=660&height=371&cropmode=none)
I can also recommend going through the castle! It has some nice history of the town, including a folk tale of the origin of the name Carcassonne, and this beautiful scale model that was made in mid 1800s
(https://dub01pap001files.storage.live.com/y4mq1aP-CBMTNz8KoWTwLmHq-ZLv75IzO0DdObH2w4uxa65tkAYWNPU6dFxLFigHmEUjS2JmpC1f9UUkq9L4JaYlwdpiwxOD-cn_C2XkNemz-zp9t5v5LWqoeIwQI4ZDiyCmP7lsId-mHhPgjtJBkBn8NxeNwioN9fo3zAEUe6ZmctDPDBZsL5R4fk_KtjJfkl3?width=660&height=371&cropmode=none)
There's also the "Museum of Beautiful Arts", which had.... Well.... Beautiful Arts...
This was my favourite:
(https://dub01pap001files.storage.live.com/y4mmTzg8cLPy0TBFuWNofwc4fVFp7bFPmnbrHQjuBe_HiiAtAye_XhHNlZ0w-FPpZtPKgJCr6EUbGufwtF4Ezsvljh7QSmgzB_efZab6Hgm3oITyyEHk5FdewjYGXHk7GtFSc-BgzC64A86ZeVlQR1RS9kvSE9mwn2SAoKw6IlO5gm9xDNys0_8h0lF516FOnjn?width=660&height=371&cropmode=none)
2 more days to go! We're looking at some day trips etc, as my partner doesn't want to play carc with me anymore (I beat her 3 times in a row yesterday :o)
(https://dub01pap001files.storage.live.com/y4mIqEErnFzcYyqXUPfZ0j5EMwZopSl4C2kSYsMiivxYKtPNWPt_SV4sMkP7Ze5UlS2uNm8HkfA-_S3KVq-CxbbMkEhkYX3-BoX-TTrAwiSuJuugGD8EtnFCfgRedThSM5-8-RzEAs1N90CdWKfPyRXZP-_Dsogq3N8RYusH05dw0xQ3JRFm9AAXGB9SIraNMf2?width=660&height=371&cropmode=none)
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Ha ha ha! Poor thing! No mercy with her? Too bad... :o
The first tile placement has been decisive at the gates of Carcassonne... But did anyone passing by ask to join the game?
I don't know how meeples can lie down in a field no matter the weather conditions... They are my heroes. ;)
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Day 4, and our last full day here.
Tomorrow we'll be leaving during the morning, so probably not much action going on. So we made the best out of today!
The weather was a definite improvement, as it's was dry, sunny and only a little bit cloudy.
We walked through the old city again, and noticed that on a Sunday it is definitely a lot busier. It seems a popular destination for a day trip for people staying in the area.
We did discover a new area of the old city, which was beautiful to see
(https://dub01pap001files.storage.live.com/y4m0GQHAQPTvimadfkrDdD39nV6zUGsNwrhYwYONDTHWAxjFxcOPuA54MgRHvTQnNAToCAIHCTM8kSgR9IapbwSpPFWzvStDO-H9PYfulY-Ci6lTsXqyBs9SRYJiqMFKdvucI2t97XURaRk4O2wzWgVXd-mkoUS9TpKR_w4f61s7k8YQMRrDbnMor9lZ3ONK9dS?width=371&height=660&cropmode=none)
We walked along the ramparts, in between the 2 walls, which gave some really nice views and allowed us go get close to the watchtowers
(https://dub01pap001files.storage.live.com/y4mfZF76WqoaZLGKhAPZ_mMx2JGOvCqhyGIkF7Ekee3KoE_q3ErvX-H398HLiw0aSmQZ-eCyB1QnlRHe4_Q6as844JWTI0DHBhdgS7lmAD02Bzh9HqFGwfxRy2PDDbqyjMjWHrt7CwWoY8BEZn2BXF4N81skOJkIPJOXaG-F158C52h30x8KKPrJ4_kXukLKbEp?width=660&height=371&cropmode=none)
Of course couldn't help myself as we exited through the gate:
(https://dub01pap001files.storage.live.com/y4m_xJ2Mzf_on_m_EJUfqFTsC8EWHyxIoCTnYus0TpEvm6d98bELmufFW2cZJvq-05ghju519rLLt04XCVPyRtAGnJdyH5UV7kA7t-2U-QaMpSSWDuO6iaTgt9gkaisVoczJE9LtS1e5Ky-ZAQY0MqcbF5qmWRThnvfsM0iFBkRm49pwUC1FftkaVMZ0rdKfdz8?width=660&height=495&cropmode=none)
And also, I thought I'd be quick and claim the field!
(https://dub01pap001files.storage.live.com/y4m8DkS0eSW87atbdp0GcbWG9rqFcN45HfXiqqVWEbaX39mYj3fL_ZhmHN7bI9lxrN4sFQMfoo75lDwHFvRgbshHqwkhIljx2Poy01XkL22DLeZGpZI5Tbft_n8bQWLpEYSslXmDayugBNLbo97eccavv7t6oir63ktCYTIuXyCVxNHmgVXf3DNHs-cpEBeqGHm?width=371&height=660&cropmode=none)
I then remembered that I would have to stay down there for the rest of the game, so I used the Festival to remove myself, and on my next turn I placed a meeple instead.
(https://dub01pap001files.storage.live.com/y4mjKi1QdpeuHsKfZTHaOttW5w2CMdCEbxirRY3W0YP5yX6Ek6869oQbANKysLY2usmPZnzxu7i7LbcTxNSBMPnzVqz5t418d743PhLRYAg526B6dwDJW1mbYXReYm9Q5b5eunIS9ReryWxKUVCFfhLZsOaBfEDkCosSHyUjfmI4WQS-ukiIEylo8BBsMlYRDyy?width=371&height=660&cropmode=none)
Not sure when the game will end, but please remember that I've claimed the field, so many points for me!
I'm planning to go back up for sunset, and also once it's fully dark, expecting some now sights, but we'll see how that goes!
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Today we travelled back home again :'(
I must say, this was an amazing trip, and i am so happy that we had the opportunity to go to Carcassonne! I can recommend this to anyone who likes some nice medieval sites and of course likes to be a board game nerd ;D
I made sure to make 2 more trips up to the old city. The first was at sunset. It was amazing to be up there for this time of day! The sun gives the city a beautiful glow, definitely worth the visit:
(https://dub01pap001files.storage.live.com/y4mymW1Qqmnn97Tm68euUF_NBJH53rYdN_gKICoCX2oNQ5WTRkYi6uIxY3j8lCcEd4qXKh2h3JaYt_SDUEhBE2IMddSjQaqoGf9gcyvlE7emR9eCB5Inxiy1147--SAlqu5i7jft-5wZ_X1UQ5jtCNJOKgBB2Drvz2InXF1WwF3Z67zwbGU3ZjsbgqZ746XiOol?width=660&height=495&cropmode=none)
And i went back again at night. In the evening, they turn on a massive amount of floodlights aimed at the city. It is basically a whole new view!
(https://dub01pap001files.storage.live.com/y4mEWF-SDiRDEmMXTfd0lyo2z3UbqxYuD1ozWKdQwMPXqzM--0Vo_913_8L62r2C3kvr7o7eKafPANh14HLs0PM6HRC5uSnhjx5xyWkF3-jgui5MNEqiVrfBC93igWIgKIe478ttYCx5Qrlv76mR651v5h4GChKuQAnCrL6vdMa5pO3ueTC3zs-bBoYmYmCvYIA?width=660&height=371&cropmode=none)
(https://dub01pap001files.storage.live.com/y4mEiM94u1uB5pHMoFlxav8KQnBD--ZkNnOyJhUikgPJtM19igjaC9emmcDwn0D7VmFUxBbISvmPIgLzHEvC7vGMu3n5dxhTt-782fLSkXWE8It0ZL4Y0hFvVIdmwplt5KcLizsIUShYbds9IJ2U6KkE3yqSkojfWX02fkOVzyllEUXMAHcJ3HB_Xnj1MGeEOFm?width=371&height=660&cropmode=none)
(https://dub01pap001files.storage.live.com/y4mgp3jnJU4T6LJv01ToxxrIcTnyZ9yLCSK2x81Z28IHNz5Gt2BbjBJ7S_riVtWJDV5XHZ92zG1-2XHqp1tuL0hJbrOGmCVit3emUnesEN9gpv7gvC08prQ9UpYdJQiKENjJ6xm6DWgmMerc3Io9PzMYSlA0JMu_1_JvJ3VbmZBDJDmrMvmbymf2nF5hiJz3aGp?width=660&height=371&cropmode=none)
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Thanks for sharing your trip and your findings! ;D
+1 merit from me.
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Thank you, @Willem!
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Awesome pics and travelogue! Thanks for sharing!
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Nice photos. Thanks!
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Thanks Willem for entertaining the community and make us travel with you! (here and on Discord) :) +1 merit from me
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Thank you all for the kind words!
I loved the trip, but also loved to share it with everyone here :D
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When are you repeating?
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As soon as I figure out how to take a picture of the C3 box art in real life!
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I’ve heard a lot of people say that they don’t really recognize the landscape when they go again…
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I really strongly dislike what you have shown in the pictures. Who allowed to cover a medieval building with some ridiculous yellow circles in the first place :( Even after removing them you can still see where they were, I'm curious to know if the sediment from stones was removed during their removal as well, or if the new dirt doesn't want to adhere as well to the areas where the stickers were, over the years this will probably become even more apparent :-\
Glad to hear you had a good time ;D Thanks for sharing this with us Willem! +1
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Yes, I tried to look at the rings, and it seems that the main thing is that when they removed them, it took away all the sediment, dust etc on the walls.
As nobody ever puts in the effort to power wash these walls, it still stands out.
Only 3,5 years of sediment vs a lot more years
Knowing why it's there helped, but I'm also not happy they're there.
But ah well ;D
Glad you like the pictures!
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It's amazing the traces can be noticed even at night.
(https://dub01pap001files.storage.live.com/y4mEWF-SDiRDEmMXTfd0lyo2z3UbqxYuD1ozWKdQwMPXqzM--0Vo_913_8L62r2C3kvr7o7eKafPANh14HLs0PM6HRC5uSnhjx5xyWkF3-jgui5MNEqiVrfBC93igWIgKIe478ttYCx5Qrlv76mR651v5h4GChKuQAnCrL6vdMa5pO3ueTC3zs-bBoYmYmCvYIA?width=660&height=371&cropmode=none)
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Wonderful posts Willem, thanks for keeping us up to date unlocking your achievement:
Play Carcassonne in Carcassonne :(y)
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On my next job interview, if they ask what my greatest achievement is, I'll know what to answer!