Monday 26/4/2014 – Markets of Amsterdam

Tags

Amsterdam, Holland, market

We went to the market just round the corner for the kids to see if they could find anything to spend their holiday pocket money on. After much deliberating Sx bought an army hat (for the movies he makes) Dx bought a little magnet animal which wobbles and Lx bought a very elegant (but easily breakable) fan. Gx couldn’t  find anything he wanted.

 

We also tried some little pancakes – which were so good we went back for seconds!

And I earnt myself some “good Mummy” points with the boys by buying them some hot chicken legs from the Kip stall.

Back to chill out and watch a movie (and for the adults to have a nap! I am sure its the kids who are supposed to need them!!)

We went to one of Amsterdam’s famous pancake restaurants in the evening. Unfortunately the weather had now broken and it was pouring with rain. But the kids soon forgot the wet streets outside when they saw the size of the pancakes! And Lx loved her “princess pancake” which came with earrings, a necklace and a handbag. Dx had a “pirate pancake” which came with a little pirate ship to go in the bath.

The first photo of my brother and I for about 40 years! We have ones of the whole family but not of the two of us. My next project is one of me and both my brothers when we all meet up in the summer!

 

Sunday 25/5/2014 – Windmills of Amsterdam

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2014, Amsterdam, Holland, photoaday, photography, photos, postaday

Today was forecast as really warm – but ended up the same if not a bit greyer than yesterday (forecast showers!). Today we had a big trip planned on the boat…all the way to the windmills. Lx and I never went to the windmills when we came last year so we were keen to see them. So after a quick play on the keyboard…we set off.

We stopped for lunch opposite before going to explore. Unfortunately all the windmills were shut when we got there and all the activities for children had all closed for the day too but we still enjoyed having a wander past them

In the lock we had to pay and the fee and ticket were exchanged with the lock keeper by means of a clog on a fishing line!Holding the boat against the wall in the lock

Stopping for lunch….

Don’t worry -this is just the boys filming their latest movie!

 

 

There was a little bit of much needed napping going on during the return trip

 

 

Thursday 25/7/2013 – Time to head home

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2013, 365, Amsterdam, childhood, children, daughter, family, holiday, Holland, photoaday, photography, postaday

…But not until the evening so plenty of time to buy some beautiful bargain shoes in the market(and some cheery sunflowers as a thank you), to dance in fountains, swim in a pool (Lx only!) enjoy a beer in the sunshine (not Lx!!), make a dash for it in the rain and buy some turkish bread to bring home as a souvenir (sadly no photo of this 😦 )

 

Wednesday – 24/7/2013 Gables

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2013, Amsterdam, childhood, children, family, holiday, Holland, home, photoaday, photography, postaday, UK

A lazy morning in Amsterdam staying home and watching a video of the Anne Frank story prior to trying to visit her house (only to be deterred by the queues – what a great excuse to have to come again though!).

In the afternoon we set off for a little walking trip round Amsterdam. Suddnly I found myself interested in architecture. There are so many amazing buildings, so many individual styles. Apparently Amsterdam is famous among architects around the world – I can see why.

how mad is the building above – the roof slopes…

tramlines

Tuesday 23/7/2013 – Beach Babes

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2013, 365, Amsterdam, Beach, childhood, children, cocktail, family, food, Holland, home, meal, photoaday, photography, postaday, UK

Today in Amsterdam we were off to the beach! Just 20 minutes by train and we were there. Wall to wall sun loungers, brown bodies and sand.

 

We broke up the general horizontal relaxing with (at various times) beers, sangria and pancakes.

 

As the day came to an end my brother joined us for dinner at the beach. A wonderful restaurant serving THE most delicious champagne cocktails

(although Lx was luckily just as happy with her coke!)

We had to leave before the sun had truly set to catch the last train home – but it was still beautiful.

Monday 22/7/2013 – Picnic in the Park

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2013, 365, Amsterdam, childhood, children, family, holiday, Holland, home, photoaday, photography, postaday

A lazy day today after some late nights for Miss Lx. We took a stroll to the market where I bought a fantastic pink handbag to use as a camera bag. We stopped for a quick drink and then came home for a well deserved nap after so much activity!

Then out to meet up at Susan’s house and help her carry all her home cooked picnic food down to the park.

A lovely evening in the park where Lx played in the edge of the pool and on the playpark and the grown ups sat and watched the fulll moon rise, heard of a baby Prince born back in the UK and chatted and laughed till dark.

 

Sunday 21/7/2013 – Cotton Eye Joe

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2013, 365, Amsterdam, boat, childhood, children, family, Holland, home, landscape, photoaday, photography, postaday, sunset

Over in Amsterdam the sun was shining – what better weather for a trip on “Cotton Eye Joe” my brother’s boat named after my Uncle Joe who died last year.

First we negotiated the busy canals of the city – picking up Susan en route (a girl I used to work with 10 years ago who is Dutch and who had returned to Amsterdam. When my brother moved here I introduced them and they are now friends too – which has been surreal sometimes when I have skyped them and she has been there!)

Lx loved steering the boat when we were in quieter waters but she was glad to get to the restaurant for lunch and sit in the shade as it was SO hot on the boat. After lunch she had a little nap – when she woke it was cooler and she was refreshed and she loved the rest of the trip.

At one point we had to arrange for the bridge to be raised for us to fit under – the “bridge keeper” came cycling down the path to go and open it up for us.

The waterways were beautiful – reedbeds and waterlilies, bridges and windmills.

A special “bridge” where the cyclists or pedestrians pull the bridge across on chains.

When we got back we left Barry and Janet to “put the boat to bed” and we went on into Amsterdam for a drink. Susan had a brainwave and took us to a beautiful – and quiet – bar by the water where we watched the sun set.

The waiter even managed to find some milk and some bread and honey for Lx.

milk moustache!

A beautiful end to a wonderful day.

 

 

 

Saturday 20/7/2013 – Girls’ Holiday

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2013, 365, Amsterdam, childhood, children, family, holiday, Holland, home, photoaday, photography, postaday

You may be wondering what happened to us. We have been missing.

Miss Lx and I went on a girls’ holiday to Amsterdam for a few days to visit my brother and his wife who have lived there for 3 years.

First though – we dropped Sx off with the scouts for a week away at camp. He will loe it as it is full of all energetic actvities that he loves. I will be surprised if he doesnt come home a) filthy b) exhausted and c) full of stories of what a great time he has had.

Then off to the airport for us – Lx doing some last minute googling.. .