Amsterdam

Amsterdam , a set on Flickr.

You may notice that I lke canals. And bikes. And I'm not at all averse to the trinkets on sale all over the city centre either. Click any of the pictures to enlarge and view slideshow.

DFDS Ferry to Amsterdam

Eight out of ten to the ferry from North Shields (Newcastle) to Ijmuiden (Amsterdam). The crossing is 16 hours, overnight, leaving at 5.30 pm and arriving at around 9 am. This long journey is comfortable and there is a range of cabins to suit different budgets. The boat has a choice of eating places but there is no budget option for eating. Prices start at around €7,00 for a sandwich and top out at around €20 for the all-you-can-eat-buffet option. Notices around the Danish-owned boat strictly tell you that eating your own food in public places may result in your food being confiscated. Catering aside the journey was really comfortable. Having a cabin to slope off to when you get on board is a real treat. Bunk beds, fresh linen, towels, soap and an en suite shower room with toilet. I want to have cabins like this on trains too. You can shut out the world and read or play games. And the children loved having boarding cards that double as cabin keys. We had a window in our cabin on the way home and could watch the waves down below. No such luxury on outbound leg. Force 6 winds buffeted the ship all night and we just lay down  for 16 hours and slept fitfully. Mini-cruise passengers who return to Newcastle after 5 hours in Amsterdam may safely leave luggage in their cabins whilst enjoying the pleasures of the Dutch capital.

Make sure you book the bus from Ijmuiden to Amsterdam when buying your tickets. It is included in the ticket price (ie. not extra) if reserved in advance. If you decide later to get the bus it will cost €10,00 a head.

Brief Encounter in Amsterdam

Thank you, Toby, for re-arranging your day at very short notice to meet Sam and me for lunch. I have never had so much chicken in one sandwich and it was very pleasant to sit in the warm sun, watching the world go by with you. Now we know that visiting you is quite straightforward you might see us down your way more often. Next time I might even give you a decent amount of notice!

For more photos click here