wow, all that work...

So for those of you who are wondering if I made it to Amsterdam in one piece, I did. The reason that I didn't update the blog earlier as I promised, is that the library that I was intending to use is clsoed, and I spent most of the afternoon looking for another affordable sight.



Okay, I feel pretty stupid now knowing that the business centre at the hotel is free.



Let's blame it on a very long day. The flight, on the Florence Nightengale (really!) was pretty uneventful. It left fifteen minutes late and arrived fifteen minutes early. That's my kind of arithmatic. I slept for about an hour on the plane, and woke up to the rustle of cellophane as everyone around me opened up their breakfast plates, which I missed. Oh well.



I found the train and was relieved that some things actually seemed familiar. However, apparently I lost some of my good sensibilities in the lack-of-sleep zone. So intent was I on following the signs to Westerkerk, which I know to be a block from the hotel, that I got a little turned around. Here's the thing about Amsterdam: very few of the streets run straight. Most of them curve around in this big bowl shape, and some of them do so rather subtely, so it is a very simple matter to be going the wrong direction. I had a map, and a good one, but it wasn't convenient and so I thought I could follow the signs. Let's just say that my 17 minute walk, according to mapquest, was closer to 40. That's okay, I needed it by then, but I sure was hot and sweaty when I arrived at the hotel.



Which may have been to my advantage, since just before my plea two others were turned down for early check in. I have a lovely little room, looking out on the courtyard. Of course, there were stroopwaffels waiting, and I have to say that is one of my favorite things about Amsterdam. That and the coffee. What a combination!



Anyway, I slept for about an hour and a quarter, then made myself get up. I figured if I could keep going until 5 I wouldn't feel guilty about going to bed after that. It was a little tough at times but I did it (it's not 5:15!)



One thing the Dutch do very well is cheese and bread, and there are dozens of little bakeries around that serve bunwiches for take out lunch. Oh they are good. Nice and chewy, very sharp old cheese, and this time, some lettuce and chives. It was great. Supper on the other hand was a little more difficult to find. I was too late for lunch, too early for dinner, but eventually I found a spot that took pity on me. It was an interesting dish, though I wouldn't likely order it again. And it wasn't as plentiful as I was hoping for right then, but I've decided not to worry about it because I have a dozen stroopwaffels in my bag just in case.



I also found the Albert Cruyp market today. What a hoot that place is. It's like the Byward Market on steroids. And it has everything--clothes, souvenirs, fresh fish, french fries and mayo, shoes, bags, scarves, knickyknackies. I wasn't must in the mood to buy, but it was a good walk and people viewing spot. I didn't take many pictures today either since it rained most of the time. And, I was just too tired to care that much.



All told, it's been a good day. Tomorrow I head to Groningen. Hopefully internet will be easy to find there too and i won't have to wander all day to locate it!

it twas a dark and stormy day ...

or so it felt. Darien on her way, on a trek to a far away place, leaving behind all loved ones (okay that would be Lynxy). To learn or so we have been led to believe!

destruction and mayhem left in her wake, okay, that would be the floors.  And things to come.

sigh. But soon the sun shall return and ....

*edited to add "Hey, someone broke into my blog!  He's jealous; he could have come along!"

If I could...

I would show you pictures of our trip this weekend.  It was great!  We left Friday after work and returned today.

I would show you a picture of Tremblant at night, with all the lights showing in the village against roofs of red or blue or grey. 

I would have the perfect shot of an American Kestral, knowing Dad would love its steel blue markings and perfect little size.  I would have that shot because it was right in front of me, and it stayed there for a long time.  We went to a birds of prey show that was just for 25 people, and it was so great.  There were also two different owls, an eagle, a hawk and a vulture. 

I would show you the little lake we just discovered, even though we have been there often enough. 

I would show you the duck that made us laugh because he wasn't in the mood for--well--anything.

I would show you a picture of the BEST balloon guy ever.  He's been at the village for several years, and he is so good.  What I most enjoy watching is his crowd control.  His balloon creations--backpack flowers and hummingbirds, space suits, crocodile hats (yes, ALL from balloons) are very popular, but the kids don't push or whine.  He draws a line, or chooses a wall, and he gives the last kid that squeezes in,  a sign to wear that says 'sorry, I'm the last one today' and everyone is okay with that.  It's brilliant, and it works.  Because watching him is as much fun as getting some balloon outfit to wear all day, so everyone is happy whether or not they go home empty-handed.

I might have also shown you the feast that we had in the fondue restaurant.  But maybe not, because flash photography in restaurants is VERY annoying. 

But I can't.  Because my camera forgot to come along. 

However, I CAN tell you that it was very weird tonight sitting in a Chinese restaurant listening to 'Oh my darling Clementine' in Mandarin. 

Life is rough

This is where we spent about 3 hours today.  I don't like it as much as the one here....

but hey, SOMEONE has to test them all out, and I don't mind being the one to do it! 

on the other hand, there's such a thing as too much togetherness

So earlier, I posted about our visitor in the tree.  He's cute, he was entertaining, he's interesting. 

Tonight, 11:00 p.m. I heard rustling outside, and so down to the kitchen I trundled just to see who was checking out the yard.  This time there was not one, but two raccoons, who often walked side by side as though their tails were glued together  (they were not).   However, when they got ready to push over our Weber grill, I decided to open the door and yell at them. 

The only problem is that they thought that was an invitation for food.  They BOTH came right up to the door.  As in, there are nose prints on the window.  There wasn't an ounce of hesitation or fear in them, not a smidgeon or a pinch,  and even my banging on the window took a bit before convincing them to move to the other side of the patio.  

My husband on the other hand was downstairs in a record 3.7 seconds because of the noise I made.  

Is it just me, or is something a little bit backwards here?  

sometimes you don't have to leave home

Last evening I was watching tv when something outside caught my eye.  There was clearly something in the tree in the back of our yard.  Watching for a few minutes, I wondered if it was a cat--but I thought it was awfully big for that.  So, in the spirit of adventure, I left the bedroom and peeked out all the other windows facing the yard.  And that's when I discovered this guy.   It was a bit early for him to be out, but it seems that there was a squirrel nest that had captured his attention.  We went outside to take pictures and to watch him for about a half hour.  After that, he climbed back down the tree, gingerly going butt first. 

This has been a fascinating backyard year.  We have had skunks saunter along the fence, two different robin's nests, a couple of bunnies, some resident chipmunks, a ground hog who was easily convinced to move his intended condo elsewhere, and a few raccoons too.  And of course, we have red squirrels, black squirrels, grey squirrels and yes, even a few patchwork squirrels. Our trees have brought in cardinals, chickadees, woodpeckers, waxwings, nuthatches, blue jays, tons of sparrows, wrens, robins and goldfinches. 

Who needs to leave home to see the sights? 

Long weekend trekking

We decided to take day trips during the August long weekend.  First, we went to Montreal, fully intending to go here.  It's a lovely spot, and we enjoy it very much.  So much in fact, that one year we had a season's pass, but now we just make sure to go once or twice (particularly when the azaleas bloom--it's an awesome sight).  But, apparently, 'partly cloudy' means "rain so hard and heavy that you can't see your husband beside you".  So instead, we went shopping.  It was okay, particularly since I got this fantabulous bird feeder that should have cost me $60 and instead only cost me $12.  Yup, that was sweet.   And there was a lovely rainbow on the way home. 

The next day, we went to Smiths Falls.  This is an interesting little town, established in 1854. It had three lockstations on the Rideau Canal, and thus has an important place in Canada's history.  At one point, the river dropped 11 metres and this caused some significant engineering challenges, which the good people at Smiths Falls solved. 

It's known to most people around here as the place where you buy chocolate.  This is because Hershey's chocolate factory used to be here and Smiths Falls was known as the chocolate factory of Canada.  

What happened?  Greed, I suppose--the plant has been closed so

 that the Hershey's company can relocate it to Mexico.  In a little town like Smiths Falls, that is a huge economic blow since they relied on the chocolate store as the base of a tourist trade, as well as all the people that were employed there. 

I wish that I could say that I have enough mettle to boycott Hershey's altogether, but let's face it--I'm a chocolaholic.  So instead, we spent a pretty penny on stuff that isn't good for us.   We did spend some time in the town looking at the other shops and things, and

 it was a nice day for it.  But, there wasn't anything else that we found.   That being said, we loved each other's

 company and it was such a treat to not be working for a change. 

Turns out that my guy had Perth in mind when he said that we should go to Smiths Falls.  Perth isn't that much further, but it is a gem of a town.  For one, it is historically interesting.   Again, it is important because of the canal, but it is a town with an 1800s heritage.  This is reflected in some of the

 buildings--including Canada's oldest drugstore.  But it also has cute little shops, and interesting restaurants on the canal.  Unfortunately, for the second time in a row, we wanted to try Maximillians because it boasts European sausage flair, and for the second time, it was closed.   Oh well.  THEY weren't by the canal, and it was indeed the perfect day to have a waterside meal. 

All in all, the weekend was delightful!