a BIG weekend

Hello one and all,

As you may know a few of our good friends were making their way, one pair from London and the other from Edinburgh, to happening Amsterdam to visit us and check out this grand ol' city. It all began on Wednesday when Troy and Alwyn arrived, we met them at Schiphol Airport around 6pm and were back to Lindenstraat by 7. Thus began the eating and drinking, which would be a pattern followed over most of the next 5 days.

Ness still had to work on Thursday, but had Friday off when Darko and Jess were due to arrive. I meanwhile led Bone and Alwyn on a misguided stroll of the inner city area. The museums, the churches, the shopping strips, coffee shops, cafes and bars (dare I say that all in one sentence, but yes, it is a sheerly magnificent and beautiful city). We all covered quite a lot of ground and saw many of the places of note in the area. Phew, there was also a crap load of walking. So, every now and then it was required to quench our thirst with a much needed cool and refreshing ale. This is of course quite easily done, and on this occasion frequently. I'm not going to tell you the names of every single pub, restaurant, cafe, coffee shop etc that we went into - I'd be here forever. Rest assured there were many.

We all had no idea whatsoever what time Darko and Jess were coming, or where we were meeting them until early Friday morning when Ness managed to call them. They had already landed and were about to catch the train through to Central Station. After waiting less than 10 mintes they were there. The feeling was odd, all of us looking around at each other, as Darko put it, "Guess we just pick up where we left off." Even after the first pair arrived, it felt more like a little piece of home here - just a group of mates in Amsterdam. We were all pretty chuffed to see each other, girls and boys alike. Pick up we did, all the way to Sunday and them some. Friday was the first rather heavy night, casualties mounted early in the evening. The Scarlet Pimpernal hit the ground before 10pm. There is photographic proof of the moment. This whole debacle began with a keg that defied all physical possibilities of being opened - until it was realised that it was the wrong kind and we just didn't have the tools for the job. The girls too were having a lash at a good night which ended remaing indoors until the very dedood. I think I might leave that part of the tale at that. As all of these people are now in the witness protection program their identities and activities must remain a secret. A last thought though, I'm not sure if we won or Friday did.

That day spawned one other thing, that being the declaration of the soundtrack to the weekend (if not Amsterdam itself) - Tenacious D: The Pick of Destiny.

Saturday morning was started rather dustily for some of us, but our day had just begun. There was much cavorting to be done. And walking and walking and walking. We did a bit of what went on over Thursday, the sights etc, most of the day was just exploring the city. This time round though we were prepared for a big night out. We started with a few beers, here and there of course, as we made our way back to the apartment after (and quite possibly during) the day wandering. Then it was time to fill our bellies with our fresh cheeses, pates, breads, olives etc that were bought fresh from the Markets that morning. This happened to be a staple meal here, and why wouldn't you, the fresh produce and foods are just delicious. More food, more beer...........................................................................................................................................................
As all good things do, the night passed us by like a blur. Sometime later, maybe much later, we found ourselves at the Rock'n'Roll cafe down on Leidseplein. This was more a bar than cafe, rock memorabilia everywhere, it even had a Harley bolted vertically to the wall. Sometime early that morning we made it home. The other 4, organised their accommodation earlier in the day, went back to their abode. Like I said earlier, for prosperity, prosterity and all..... Something like that.

By Sunday we were all just the slightest bit knackered, as you will be if you have managed to read all of this but please keep going, so we took it just a little bit easier. We met at Leidseplein again, this time at the Pancake House for Breakfast (although it was closer to lunch time by then). These monsters were bigger than your head and more expensive than they should have been, but we all enjoyed them nonetheless. The Pancakes won 3 to 1. The most part of the day was spent 'resting', the four suspects were due to fly out early the next morning. There was some culture squeezed into all of that, Balone can vouch for that, the sum total of this big weekend wasn't all boobs and booze.

Which brings us near to the end. Darko and Jess made their flight somewhere around midday, at least we hope they did, and got home safely - back to pointing out paper clips and brushing down kilts. Our last pair, which were our first, ended up staying until Tuesday and hopping on an early morning train through to Belgium early that morning.

It was one hell of a ride from start to finish. A massive shout out to our compadres, we love you all - regards and safe travels. If anyone is still with me, I hope all of you back home are happy and well - an equally as massive belated good wishes to all the Mothers as well. Now it is only 2 weeks today until we head for Switzerland, plenty more of Amsterdam left yet though. My fingers hurt and I'm going to the pub.

This is the disclaimer: Certain portions of the program that do not affect the outcome of the show may have been edited. All events described here in are purely fictitious. The names have been changed to protect the identity of the perpetrators. Any and all resemblance to people living or dead is purely coincidental. No animals were harmed in the making of this headache (only livers and ego's).

By the way, I'm sure that every one of us, at least one time, was very nearly (and I use the term loosely) collected by a bicycle. Everybody lived to tell the mighty tale, some just ended up a little worse for wear.

Regards as always,

Jimi and Ness