Saturday, October 05, 2019

Amsterdam

We met up with our friends in Uk and have caught a plane into AMSTERDAM. How different. We are loving walking the streets looking at all the architecture, bikes and canals.







SOOOOOOO many bikes.

Have heard how many are stolen, discarded or lost each year and have forgotten the exact number . . . but it is in the hundreds of thousands.









Visited the Art Galleries to view the Van Gogh paintings and all the other incredible works . . .  never tire of all the talented people and history.
Staying in a quaint little hotel called 'The Bird', on canal with great views and in easy walking distance to everything.
Can you spot The Boys waiting patiently for me to stop taking photos.
Baskets of flowers are gorgeous.


 Had breakfast in this very interesting cafe . . .  lady was not impressed that we wished to dine at the ungodly hour of 8am . .  . Loved glowing photo projected on glass, on the ceiling.

Did the hop on hop off canal boat and bus tours . . .  on and off here, there and everywhere . . 


We all like Amsterdam . . . ( am sorry to be leaving Arron here in Amsterdam when we move onto the Cruise ship for a fortnight, which will take us through to BUDAPEST, where we will meet up with Arron for another week in an AirBnB, before moving onto Singapore. We hope he has a great time alone in Amsterdam !!!!! ) And for us  . . . . let the magic continue.
 


Decided the Dutch need to use their bicycles to get about . . . so they don't all get very fat!
Another day in Amsterdam touring by bus and ending up at Muiderslot Castle
We have been so very lucky with the weather. Gorgeous garden. Lovely day.



Barely time for a bit of shopping.
I love the antique shops, but avoided the ceramics and knickknacks. As usual settled on the jewelry which I think shows the craftsmanship of a country. It is a wonderful reminder of a holiday and easy to transport.


 The hardest thing is choosing . . . Decided these old glass trading beads will be great to make a necklace with silver clasp. Earrings and a ring with tourmaline gemstones reflect the antique and modern. Lovely!


Last morning. A walk to restaurant for breakfast and then onto art gallery for a final look. Love walking. Reflections on water reminds me of Venice. Then at 4pm, back to Hotel where we had a last cuppa while waiting for our taxi, to take four of us to join our ship for cruise to Budapest . . .
Arron, not interested in joining the geriatrics, will make his own way. See you in two weeks Arron!


Goodbye AMSTERDAM  -  WILL BE BACK!!







BATH

Traveled early to BATH. First impressions were not favorable but had a cruise on the River and I started to like it . . . then walked through the city streets and I thought it was lovely.
 

The Bath Roman baths were interesting and the Cathedral was lovely.

 Morris patterns and architecture everywhere.
 Visited Victoria art gallery




Victoria Art Gallery


Did the hop on hop off bus around the city and countryside, staying in a house on an estate surrounded by orchards and gardens . . . want more time in Bath!!!!

On way to the cotwolds again . . .  then onto Amsterdam. More water, more greenery . .