goodyandstevec2c

One of the really nice things about working in Amsterdam is riding to work and back on the bike. We are about 15 km from NISSAN according to Google earth but it doesn't seem that far. It takes about 45 minutes. I've got a couple of routes, along the Amstel canal, thru the Vondel and Rembrandts parks is one nice way. Lately I've been heading straight down the Amstel River thru central Amsterdam, past central station and Harlemmerstraat and thru the Westerpark. Goody has ridden most of the way with me in the mornings when she has not been gadding about Europe. Have only gotten wet a couple of times and have fought the wind on a few occasions but overall it is very pleasant. Here are a few photos from this morning.

Straight out of the underground carpark of our apartment.

A view of the start of Prinsengracht on the far side of the Amstel.

Along Kloveniersburgwal


De Waag ( The old Amsterdam City Gate ) now a restaurant.

Haarlemmerstraat one of the morning bike freeways

A pleasant cruise trough Westerpark takes about 10 minutes.

Getting into the industrial area at Naritaweg

And finally to the real industrial area, NISSAN Warehouse.

A great way to start the day ... and to finish it !

By the way.... just learned how to read peoples comments in our blog, apologies if you felt ignored ! You can tell I work in the IT industry ( not ! ). and thanks for your contributions... more please !

An energetic weekend on the bikes

Saturday we caught the train to Zaltbommel and cycled to Vicki Gay's ( from NISSAN Europe IT department ) house in Kerkwijk for a quick stop.

I think we should take shares in the Netherlands Train service.

Met Vickis' husband Catharinus and spent a pleasant time with a cool drink enjoying the rural peace and tranquility.

We continued further to Huesden on Vicki's recommendation, a picturesque historic town with old walls and surrounded by a dyke.
We actually walked a circuit around the town along the dyke that surrounds it and had a traditional dutch pancake. Bacon, apple sultanas, icing sugar and dutch stroop ( sugar syrup ). Sounds a bit weird but the combination of sweet and salty is quite nice !

On Sunday we were on the train again to Texel with Deeptha, Geetha and Vasanthe.

Train to Den Helder and then Bus and Ferry to Texel
Another day in the saddle. The weather was quite hot and we cycled about 25 Km.
Visited the ECOMARE which is a big display centre for marine life and a refuge for sea creatures that especially have been affected by pollution. Cycled across the island into a stiff breeze but eventually had a lovely cycle back to the ferry along the top of the dyke from Oudeschild with the wind at our backs. Great effort by Geetha, Deeptha and Vasanthe who have not ridden so much recently. Geetha and Vasanthe could really move along on the tandem !!

THe forest paths on the island are really beautiful ( little too busy though ! )

We decided to go for a nice walk on a lonely beach whilst in Texel.

Hmmm wrong beach I think !!

Huge crowd, restaurants, salsa music booming out, kick boxing lessons, dogs, ice-cream wagon down at the waters edge. It was all happening !

Goody is still in Germany in Cuxhaven and Agathenburg. I spoke to her earlier today, she is visiting Berlin and the Copenhagen later in the week. She should be back in Amsterdam next Friday. Goody spent the week with Cristel and Siegbert. They joined Werner for his 73rd birthday and then Goody went to Cuxhaven with Gertrud and caught up with all the relatives over the weekend.

Then back to Agathenburg and onto Berlin with Cristal for the day. It is wonderful to see this city since reunification all the building and construction still continues with new buildings and old buildings being restored. The history of the wall, the Brandenburg gate and many other attractions are well worth seeing. There is a huge are of parkland that was made from the area were people tried to escape from east to west.

Then Goody ventures of to Copenhagen for an overnight stay. A wonderful city with huge wide streets, bike friendly, (even the major rides a bike) and an atmosphere not unlike Amsterdam of openess and tolerance. Goody went on a walking tour that lasted 5 hours instead of three as a few side visits were made. The statues and monuments are everywhere and the architecture and granduer of the buildings is quite breathtaking. Well worth a visit but just as expensive as England as they do not have the Euro's.

I decided to go in search of the fabled dutch "mountains" in the south of Holland. I took a 2 1/2 hour train trip along with my bike to Maastricht and followed the signs to the "Plateau Route". The mountains are really just pleasant little rolling hills. Very picturesque area. Had a coffee and cake in Gulpen. Bit too early in the day for a Gulpener (beer). Took about 4 hours to ride the 35k circuit. Its clearly a favourite place for Dutch road riding groups, they are in big groups all round the hiils . Very tempting to ride to Vaalse the highest mountain ( a dizzying 321 meteres ) in Holland since its only about 10k away but I resist. You can see it in one of the photos.

I think this is Vaalse (since I couldn't see any other mountains around ).
Its that pyramid shaped hill in the centre of the photo to the right of the trees.

Photo from St Jans cathedral Mastricht. You can see the area of the "Plateau route" in the distant hills.

This was actually a steep hill ! I had to get off and walk ! ( no gears , well that's my excuse ).
The people on the path below were picking blackberries. They dont seem to take over here like the do in Oz.

I had bit of a wander around Maastricht . Lovely city but it is crawling with people. Better to come on a week day if you can manage it.
Decided to buy a book to read on the train and head back to Amsterdam.

Goody headed back to Bonn with Lisa and Johanna on Friday. Goody had a wonderful week spending time with Lisa and her neighbour Earnst. They visited the wine region along the river Ahr and sampled a few wines at the Kruizburg winery, they were so impressed they each purchased a 1/2 dozen bottles to take home. The picture below is of this region, very beutiful and very steep.

They also spent some time at Essen in Grubba a huge parkland with wonderful gardens.

Goody also managed a trip to the Birkenstock factory and bought a pair of shoes for summer.

I stayed in Amsterdam and on Sunday travelled to Weerribbenen with Geetha, Deeptha and Vasanthe.
After a 2 hour train trip and a 1/2 hour bus trip we made it to Weerribbenen

Weerribbenen is a national park consisting of a large network of canals that were created from turf cutting in the late 19th Century and early 20th Century.

We had a fun morning canoeing our way around the maze of canals.

Later we walked along a large canal from Ossenzijl to Kalenberg.

Vasanthe and Deeptha showing their consumate skills with the canadian canoe.

Deeptha, Geetha and Vasanthe on our walk from Ossenzijl to Kalenburg

Lisa and Johanna travelled from Bonn and Zurich to visit us in our apartment. They had a fun week shopping and visiting tha Van Gogh Museum, Anne Franks house and Goody and Lisa helped Johanna pick up a couple of outfits for some upcoming Weddings.

This was a favourite watering hole for Steve Wilks, Steve Hogan and Larry a couple of years ago. It's in the Jordaan area and it's a great spot to enjoy a beer and watch the world go by. Here Lisa, Johannah and Goody are enjoying the ambience. Turns out Marcus Blackhall only lives a couple of hundred metres from here !

Had a nice Indonesian meal with Wim and Nanda and then explored around some lovely little backwaters of Amsterdam that Wim knew about since he lived here as a child. Found a very nice little Restaurant / bar called Zeppo's

This nice bar is just down the river from our apartment and is a lovely spot for a drink / meal on a warm evening.

Goody and Hannah Blackhall

Goody had a fun day visiting Volendam and Marken with Terry and Hannah Blackhall. They managed to dodge the thunderstorms amazingly well .

Zaans Schans Windmills

Jonathan and Marlie

Euaun, Lisa and Willem at Enkhuizen

Our weekend with Jonathan and Marlie

Sunday 8th July, sunny 24* We caught the train to Alkmeer to Jonathan and Marlies house from where we travelled to Enkhuizen for the afternoon. Enkhuizen is a sort of Dutch version of Sovereign Hill for you aussies out there. We had a very enjoyable day with Jonathan, Marlie, Lisa, Willem and Euaun. Stayed for a nice meal and caught the train back.

Kaspar, Steven, Carolien and Floortje

Floortje making some music

Goody near the Ship Museum

Sunday 01/07/07 A sunny day (No rain - marvellous)
Today we took the train to Delft (were they make the famous Delft pottery) the town is very old world and beautiful. Very quiet when compared to Amsterdam. As is the custom in Holland on Sunday nothing gets up and going till around lunch time. We took a cannal ride and wandered around the market in the city square, would have liked to go to the pottery, however, time was short as we were expected at Carolien and Steven's (friends of Lori)home around 2pm. We took the train to Den Haague and were met by Carolien who along with her family made us very welcome. We had a very enjoyable afternoon, first we strolled through the sand dunes to the beach near by, then came back to their home for a yummy vegetarian dinner and to top it all of the family gave us a recital with Floortje on Cello, Kasper on Bassoon and Mum (Carolien) on Piano. Then sadly we had to leave we arrived home at 12 midnight. We hope to catch up again before we leave.

View from our apartment in Amstel looking towards Amstel River

Beautiful Bridge with in Amsterdam

We arrived in Amsterdam late on Sunday evening. Steve was off to work the following day and I pottered about getting things in order and cycling about between showers of rain. The first week was interesting. I would ride most of the way to Steve's work in the morning and then make my way back trying to buy some groceries on the way home. The problem is that the streets change their names and they seem to run in semi circles not very helpful to the navigationally challenged. It took me three hours to come home in the rain on the bike one day so decided to buy a good map and a local mobile phone for contact. Found a gym not too far away and have attended 1x yoga class and 1 x aerobics. Steve was very unwell on one day and stayed home, I also was not to well, no doubt catching his virus, such is life. The public transport system is wonderful and runs on time and is user friendly. We are about 10minutes from Amsterdam central by transport or bike. Bikes are everywhere and they are our best friends, they came with the apartment, how handy. Just about everyone speaks English and they all seem very friendly. The weather leaves a bit to be desired at present but apparently it is like this all over Europe at present. The first weekend we pedalled about with Steve pointing out things of interest and then we went up the spire of the Westerkirk were we got a fantastic view over Amsterdam. The queue for Ann Franks' house was to long so will do this the next weekend. Saw a recital by three Peruvians, a harpist, female singer and a baroque guitar played in a boat on the river all for ten euros. Then of to a Turkish restaurant for dinner. The next day will be described on the next frame.

Gody watching Detlev prepare the feast - a greek pork kebeb - Schmakt sehr gut !

Goody, Werner, Edith and Kristal

Ingrid, Sven and Goody

Of the Germany after handing in the car at Stanstead Airport. A bit of drama at the airport. First I left my bag with passport etc in the car, luckily Steve managed to retrieve this. I was feeling a little stressed with this episode. Then we were questioned about the contents of Steve's backpack, it had to be scanned due to its odd shape. We relized what they were asking about was Hermann's ashes. I thought not now after coming all this way. I said that it was my father and they responded in a very British manner being most apologetic saying sorry luv and waved us through. Then onto our relatives in Germany, Tom, Swanjtes boyfriend picked us up from the airport and drove us to Hamburg were Siegbert picked us up. We arrived at Cristel and Siegberts place about 8pm. The next day we spent taking it easy as Steve had an awful cold. The following day Swantje arrived, we had lunch and then headed of to the farm for the final party. We had coffe and cake and then a bbq. Lots of relatives attended and it was wonderful to catch up with everyone. It was then time to see Hermann off so nearly all the realatives came along and we sent Hermann of with roses thrown in after the spreading of the ashes and then we all sang a German sailers song. The whole thing was videoed so we could show this back home. We returned back to the farm and drank a toast of Schnapps to Hermann. I gave a little speech in German. It was a really fitting way to see Hermann off, he would have loved it. It was hard to leave all the relatives after such a short time but Amsterdam awaits. Hopefully we will see them again before we leave.

Tim and Steve outside the pub near Oxford Circus where Tim is the chef !!

We farewelled our friends on the Monday and after a long day driving arrived at Racheal Allans B & B in Brockley on the outskirts of London. A warm and friendly English born ex pat from Aussie. Plays the violin for the orchestra at the Royal Albert Hall which is showing Swan Lake at the moment. She has a 15 year old boy called Ben. Tim came out to the flat the following day as we thought it might be easier than finding him. Showed him photos of the walk and then went into London as Tim had not been on the London Eye and we thought it would be fun. It gives a great view of London and it is almost like flying without getting into a plane. A little slow though. The rest of the afternoon we spent walking about Hyde Park, visited the pub were Tim works and of course sampled a drink. It has the most amount of on tap beers in the whole of London. Tim is the cook! We then took in an Italian meal and went to see The Lion King, it was very spectacular. About the only thing comparable in price to Aus. otherwise everything is very expensive. Tim was back at work the next day so we only got to see him briefly again when we met Kelly's friends Emily and Cassie who wanted to see were Tim works. We had a lovely meal with the girls and called Kelly and all had a chat. All in all a good catch up and great to see Tim.
Tim and Goody near Hyde Park