Beautiful Handmade Statement Necklaces and other Fabulousness from Neena Shilvock - Inspirations and Designs From the Week Gone by
Hello folks, how are you this fine and sunny Easter weekend. Hubby and I got back from a trip to Amsterdam where it was constantly and consistently miserable, wet and cold. Anyway, we realised that we had a sense of humour, we got on well with each other (more or less), and that on the whole we are fairly well suited to one another. What a discovery after almost 25 years of being together! Oh well, you learn something every day. Come rain or shine, we were determined to go - the saga started a year ago when we booked the trip but only made it as far as the runway, when we were told that the plane had developed a problem and we'd have to rebook onto a flight the next day. We cancelled! KLM compensated us, but the hotel gave us a voucher. So, we tried again - I rebooked the trip in September of last year, and was horrified to see reports of the queues at Schipol, flights cancelled and luggage strewn all over the place in the airport. We cancelled again, and the hotel refunded us, but this time, KLM gave us a voucher. I was sure we'd be lucky the third time and rebooked the exact same trip at the end of March - the hope was to visit the Keukenhof Gardens which are only open for eight weeks of the year. I read that April is usually the best time to visit, but we decided to go at the very end of March (almost April, right?) so I could use up all my leftover annual leave from 2022. A late start with a delay for an hour sitting in a cramped plane waiting for a second chance at take off after we missed our original slot, and a mislaid and refound suitcase later, we were in Amsterdam. Ok, it wasn't looking good - by this time, we realised we were in for trouble! We did go to the Keukenhof and in spite of global warming, the dratted tulips hadn't bothered to come out to greet us in droves - although there were a few and the gardens were spectacular, I couldn't help feeling a bit cheated. Eventually, sodden, cold and weary, full of stodgy food we bought at the various eateries dotted around the place where we ducked in to find a bit of warmth and shelter, we made our way back to the hotel. The rest of the time in Amsterdam was spent in cafe's and bars, the Rijksmuseum and a couple of jazz clubs. We tried a bowl of Snert. That's right, it's Holland’s version of pea soup - a thick green stew of split peas, pork, celery, onions and leeks, and contrary to its name, it’s completely delicious. Apart from the Stroopwaffels and pancakes sold everywhere, we couldn't find any authentic Dutch restaurants. Perhaps because we were in Dam square which is a very touristy area, the prevalent food was international with battered fish and chips, burgers, pizza and pasta (Yawn!) ubiquitous on menus everywhere that tourists congregate. And then it was time to come back home, on a 90 minute flight which KLM somehow managed to convert to 180 minutes by stalling departure for reasons unknown - it was raining here too, but Wilfred was glad to come home, and so were we. So, I'm back to work and familiarity, a junior doctors strike when I am the consultant on call, an impending inspection, and more fun than one could shake a stick at. I think I shall just have to pick up my beads and make something to soothe my soul. Hang on, isn't a holiday supposed to do that? Not this one, I'm afraid. I shall just have to book another one pretty soon to compensate. Have a lovely Easter everyone and I'll catch you next week, same time, same place. Until then xx
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