I’m back from a hectic trip to the Lowlands which was absolutely draining and I’m still recovering from all the stress and lack of sleep. Friday AS. and I left at 07.45 to go and pick up the van, we had to be there at 08.00. About half an hour later we were on our way to the tunnel where we arrived way too early [10:50]. That wasn’t an issue because we could take an earlier train since the ticket was a so called ‘Flexi Plus’ ticket which gives you priority check-in on the next available train…
People just pitch up normally and see if there is a spot available and since the train is hardly ever fully booked it’s quite easy to get a spot. We took the first train which would leave at 10.39 which seems like a long time to wait but they start loading the train 15 minutes before departure and everything is slightly rushed in a way. The system is brilliant and within 15 minutes from loading point the train will leave exactly on time and it only takes about 35 minutes to get to the other end.
We arrived in Calais – France at 12.10 and had to go to Antwerpen via Brugge and Gent, from there Breda, Utrecht, Amsterdam which would’ve taken about 4.5 hours at the most, if we would’ve been earlier that is. I’d totally forgotten that it was Friday afternoon, so first of all it was Friday-before-the-weekend rush hour and secondly there was way too much truck traffic on a four-lane road which goes all the way from Calais to Antwerpen. While their speed limit is mostly between 80 and 110 k/h there is no point in overtaking one another on a busy road.
But they did… and each time they did, it would cause cars to queue up in the left lane, because it takes them about 15 minutes to overtake. I’m sorry but I’m missing the point of doing that and holding up all other traffic. If there would’ve been a third lane, yes, go for it… but this doesn’t make sense to me. By the time we were near Gent we were stuck in solid traffic jams all the way to the North of Antwerpen and again between Breda and Utrecht. So we arrived at the storage in Amsterdam 1.5 hours later than planned at 19.30.
AS. and I started to load the van straight away, later joined by TH. and CH., the job was done in 1.5 hours. We went to CH.’s place to unwind and have dinner: a lovely meal of smoked eel and salmon, salmon potato salad, shrimps, fresh bread and of course herring: I only had six of them that evening *hehe*. The next day CH. and I went shopping for all the stuff that I can’t get in the UK. CH. bought me a really cool gift: a Moleskine City notebook [I collect cool notebooks], something I’ve had an eye on for ages but it’s quite expensive.
View Korte Prinsengracht, in the distance the Westertoren
View Herengracht taken from Brouwersgracht
It was a lovely day to go for a stroll around the city and this time I didn’t leave without taking some pictures for a special someone. I had to go to my favourite shop to get some tiny things there: de Hema… I’ve never had such great service as to this day and I wasn’t the only one who noticed, then again at the Xenos where I had to look for some cooking equipment I got the same excellent service. Thank you people for making my day when I was in a rush to get all the things that I needed, you’ve been fantastic: I left both places with a huge grin on my face!
A typical Dutch street organ
My favourite shop, they might come to the UK *yay!*
CH. and I had a drink at a coffee place next to the famous Flower Market enjoying the view and making fun of tourists. While we walked back home [we had walked around for five hours], we passed a church where they’d organised an antique market so we went in to have a look. Some of the stuff, that was for sale for ridiculous prices, is still to be found in my mums cupboards… I think I will go over some day and ask her if I could have some pieces, not to sell but to use it, she still has some Chinese crockery: rice bowls, spoons. All collecting dust…
The Flower Market: flowers [and bulbs] for special tourist prices: waaaaaaaay to expensive!
Having a hot chocolate and a ham/cheese tostie
We went out for a meal that evening at the Northern Star, a typical Amsterdam cafe which serves Dutch pub grub. The next morning we left at 08:15 and drove all the way to the Belgium border in one go where we took a 10 minutes break and hit the road again to Calais where we took the 12:50 train. We arrived at the storage in the UK at exactly 15.30 and got help from DB. and LB. JM.’s two sons. All was done an hour and a half later. Unfortunately when we went to fill up the tank, AS. dented/scratched the brand new van when he hit a low wall that was impossible to see.
Typical Amsterdam cafe
Typical Amsterdam cafe, I don’t drink cat piss beer but this was nice *hehe*
It will cost him the deposit, however the storage guy said it was his second van that was damaged by that same wall so he’s going to have a word with the owner of the petrol station. It’s been a hectic three days and I’m busy again working on a freelance assignment involving Flash at the mo that needs to be done by the end of this week so I won’t have much time to post on here. I’ll be busy over the weekend sorting out boxes and throwing out stuff that I no longer need. I need some structure in this chaos! How’s yours?
Parallel to Dubbeleworststeeg [Double Sausage Alley: don’t you just love Dutch names? *hehe*]
The Royal Palace with Atlas carrying the Globe
Driekoningenstraat
The only street in Amsterdam where the lights have crowns…
Just a few words (hmm, does that mean. . . ?)
Had to take a quick peek. Nice to see some things I recognize.
Oh, and toasties sound much better then the grilled cheese I learned to despise as a kid: big family = Velveeta
Jim: I have no clue what ‘just a few words’ mean… You’re vague
Good you recognised some things, I am happy myself that I still remember where what is *hehe* Oh we’re going to have some nice toasties one day, shame I’ve thrown out my toaster when I moved here, had a special one to make toasties *hehe*
Vague man is trying to be “wise”
You won’t forget where what.
But ya know I went to grad school essentially across the street from where I went to see the doc, and although I remember all the where whats, I can’t go on autopilot to get to them and I can’t recall all my shortcuts, etc. to avoid traffic and such. . . jeez. . . I had to think :-O
I look at scenes like Herengracht with different eyes lately
And it’s funny, as I drove yesterday the trees here have about the same amount of green as in your pic.
Now I just need what I can’t see
Jim: Vague man is wise and a lot more, trust me! Zesty Gal just had one of her mental blind spots again *hehe* You… had to think?
Perhaps shortcuts etc have changed over the years?
Herengracht: I’m glad you noticed, that’s exactly the reason why I took a few of these, you know me too well *hehe* More eggs to find later: didn’t want to OD let me know when the time is right k? But it seems there is too much to share lately, mine can wait though. I’d rather hear about doc. Btw your trees look much nicer and you have squirrels that make me laugh
Yup. . . me had to think :-O
Easter may be past, but perhaps some eggs were overlooked?
I’ll have to go see
Hehe… Hema and Xenos. They were on top of my list to go to too! My friends thought i was crazy, but when you don’t have those stores nearby anymore, you really miss them!
How wonderful you got a Moleskin! Lucky you.
Even though it sounds like a tiresome couple of days, it’s good to see/read you had some time to enjoy the city a bit too!
Hi! Thanks a lot for sharing your wonderful experiences and pictures of all those beautiful places! It makes me feel like buying a ticket right away
Now I have it on my list of countries to visit 
I had never heard of that shope “Hema”…the street organ looks exactly like one that there is in Valletta from time to time 
I also like cute notebooks
Have a lovely week!
Ismoyo: Hey girl, hope all is well!!!
But I’ll buy the ‘regular’ one day; it’s not too expensive and would be perfect for writing and drawing [no sketch version for me, not enough pages :P].
Hema/Xenos *LOL* glad to hear I’m not the only weirdo *hehe* Yes I really really miss them but a little Hema bird told me that they are thinking of the UK, so that would be awesome! And Xenos is like paradise to me… I bought some cool fake candles: two for one euro *LOL*
Moleskine: I told my friend how much I wanted it but didn’t want to spend the money so she gave it to me all nicely wrapped in rose paper. It’s nicer to get as a gift from someone than to buy anyway
It was extremely nice to be back for a few and see the city through tourist eyes taking lots of pictures and realising that you can actually walk from one end of town to the other *hehe*
Wen: Hi Wen! I’m always happy to hear you like the pictures and the stories, makes me smile. I hope you’ll be able to visit them one day, I’m sure there must be some cheap flights from Malta. Don’t hesitate to tell me if you go, I could help you sorting out stuff etc.
Have a great week too!
Notebooks: I didn’t know you collect them too; cool!! What is it with creative women and notebooks, or should I say, creative and/or intellectual women and notebooks *hehe* I seem to have a sophisticated [read expensive *LOL*] taste so to me it’s not any notebook but the nice ones with leather covers, or covers made of leaves, wood, velvet etc. Must be the designer and former bookbinder in me, I tend to look for and appreciate the amount of time needed to produce one
Hema is a typical Dutch store but now they can also be found in Belgium and Germany and hopefully in the UK soon, you never know: if they get here they might get there as well. They have cheap but extremely good quality products. They really put effort in upgrading their image and succeeded over the years: from a store that you wouldn’t admit to shopping there to one that offers you the best value and quality for your money, almost a lifestyle kind of thing…
Organ: I would love to see a picture of the one in Valleta
Hey, these pics remind me of the days when I visited The Netherlands. oh what memories I get now, how many things have changed since then. I recall the dyke crossing ove and stopping mid way. By the way I did have my notebook then too
I recall waking up in the morning getting out of my tent and finding squirrels and doves all around if I am not mistaken in Delft or maybe Amsterdam itself.
Well sorry for not being present lately.
Hi Reuben! It must be nice to see some things again after such a long time but probably weird as well, and yes; the only constant is change… Btw you’re the second person using the name ‘The Netherlands’ instead of ‘Holland’: I’m impressed! *hehe*
The dyke you mention must be the one of the fishermen village ‘Marken’ a peninsula where some still wear traditional Dutch costumes. Squirrels in the Netherlands? That must have been a rare occasion, last time I’ve seen one in Amsterdam was ages ago, nice though! And Delft: beautiful place!
Cool to hear you share the same addiction to notebooks, but it doesn’t really surprise me since you’re very creative too. Don’t be sorry… there’s really no need to, good to see you again