• Anne Stovies
  • Anne Stovies

Big Birthday Trip

Netherlands for the weekend. Birthday shares. Travelling light. Read more
  • Trip start
    November 16, 2023

    Arrived

    November 16, 2023 in the Netherlands ⋅ ☁️ 7 °C

    Landed in Netherlands on time. The Captain promised to fly fast.
    J got me to airport in plenty time. But No Coffee. Ouch.

    Passport took 25 minutes. Thanks Brexit. Then I wandered until I found nice food. But coffee was meh.

    Then popped on a train to Hilversum where my friend's daughter met me. Short walk to house. Cuppa tea and chat. Now waiting for E to get in from work.
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  • Utrecht

    November 17, 2023 in the Netherlands ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C

    Crashed for 2 hours in the morning. So tired . Gorgeous walk in the woods in the afternyand then a short train ride into Utrecht for food.

    We went to Gys a vegan restaurant. Best food in ages. Pilsner, now that's been a while. We did however turn up at the wrong restaurant. There are 2. Fortunately there was a table to spare so we didn't have to trog 30 mins in opposite direction.

    Utrecht is lovely. A student town with no tourists. Just me.
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  • Edam, no cheese

    November 18, 2023 in the Netherlands ⋅ 🌧 8 °C

    Today we headed north to Edam. We got lost several times. Honestly, 2 geographers in the car, SatNav and Google maps, what a pair!

    Anyhoo,.got there in pouring rain. Found the chocolate shop and bought treats for later. Had a nice lunch of dark bread an old Gouda and 2 cups of coffee. Good coffee at last. Then a wee wander. We found an amazing flower and plant shop. It was so beautiful and sparkly we could have spent a fortune on lovely and unusual ceramic pots. Instead, I bought E a sweet iridescent hydrangea candle holder and she bought me a pomegranate one. Birthday gift swap!

    We then headed home, picked up vlai... At last! For tea with the girls. However trains are.up the spout so will see them tomorrow instead. Took dogs for a walk in the woods in the dark in the rain. Paths! No wet feet thankfully.

    Time for prosecco snacks Nd a very long chat of sad, mad and hilarious times. Plus amazing samosas. I can't believe the tasty food here.
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  • And back i go....

    November 20, 2023 in the Netherlands ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    Return trip today, but first lunch in Sloterdijk with my god daughter. She works in a cooperative place with a restaurant. €6 for a fab wee vegan lunch. https://www.de-sering.org/

    Photos of kitchen view, front of house, coffee and almond pastry, 2 sunsets on flight, moon too, and my purchases. And art on wall of De Seeing.Read more

    Trip end
    November 20, 2023