Visit to Amsterdam

I went to Amsterdam today, Hans drove me to the station, it only required one change of train, in Utrecht. I arrived in Amsterdam around 10:30 I think. It was not too busy. I walked, and walked, and walked. I found a book market where I got an Inspector Wexford novel for 3 Euros, a Dutch book shop where I bought 3 maps and a flower market. Eventually I ended up at the Rijksmuseum but it was too busy so I didn't bother. I continued on past the concert hall and on to another very long market. I am pretty sure that I went to this market with Patrick and Paul in 1995.

After all that I then circled back and, feeling rather exhausted, stopped for lunch. I actually felt like Indonesian but couldn't find one that was open that looked good. In the end I went to a Thai restaurant and had the lunch menu, very reasonable. 2 spring rolls and a green chicken curry followed by tea. Oh, and there was very nice prawn crackers too, the first time I can remember having nice ones in a long time.

Feeling replete I started to head back. I stopped at an English bookshop and bought a cycling magazine, the 2009 Tour guide from Cycle Sports. I look forward to reading it. I meandered for a bit and then stopped for afternoon tea and had an apple flap and a coke. I was a bit tired so I just sat and watched the people go by for a while.

Back at the station I got Hans and Trees some Leonidas chocolates and then, just as I was about to go, I found a flower shop, which I had been searching for in the first place, and so I got Trees some roses as well. The trip home was easy, albeit hot. Hans picked me up again at the station.

Back at home Trees made herring with onions on toast, raw herring that is. Fortunately thanks to all those trips to Japan I thought it was quite nice. Of course we had it with a very nice Proseco as well, naturally. By the time we had finished that I was rather bloated, but then it was dinner time. Trees, remembering from 1995, had made mussels again, lekker. I took a photo, and Trees said “Look Paul, this is what happens when you stay in Australia.” :) That was with a nice french white wine of course!

Waddled off to bed after 11 pm.