Amsterdam and Nottingham 2006

We had two nights to spend in Amsterdam before Ashton joined us to fly over to see Grandma in Nottingham. Fortunately we had a short walk to The Renaissance Hotel from the main train station as it was pouring down with rain but the hotel staff welcomed us with some great Dutch chocolate and complimentary wine and snacks.

The next morning we could not believe it, the rain had passed and we had a beautiful clear view from our room overlooking the city. A quick breakfast and we were off to see the sights of Amsterdam. Cheri spotted a museum but we both agreed that one museum was enough for us on this trip.

In this city you have to watch out for bikes more than cars but a bike can be bigger than some cars.

The Dutch love their flowers and chocolate. Puccini make the best chocolate you will ever taste, Drambuie, cognac and port are amongst our favorites from a huge selection.

Amsterdam is a very free city and the Dutch try to get their point across in many ways. This was part of a street-side exhibit about the planet and the impact of people that occupy it.

Live sex shows, porn and fantasy shops are increasing and it's not just restricted to the red light district either. Hundreds of women display their wares behind windows on each side of the two canals but taking photos is not recommended as your camera could be thrown in either one.

Even though most people go to Amsterdam for sex and drugs it still has quite a few historic sites such as Rembrandthuis, Anne Frank Huis, Rijksmuseum and Damsquare.

The city also has a pedestrian shopping area which made a nice change from the regular tourist spots and Cheri loves to shop. Another new dress is now in the closet.

Another good recommendation for dinner was Lucius, a seafood restaurant on Spuistraat not far from the hotel. Cheri changed in to her new dress, ideal for the colder nights but still very sexy. We enjoyed a nice glass of wine or two in the concierge lounge before our short walk (and elevator ride) to the restaurant.

After dinner as we were walking back thru the Red Light District, Cheri had an idea and said "if these girls can show everything and not allow photographs then I will" and promised she would not throw the camera in the canal. When in Amsterdam...

Up early the next morning as we had to meet Ashton at the airport and then catch a BMI Baby flight to East Midlands Airport. We had planned to be there when Ashton walked out of the customs hall but our train was delayed and he was waiting for us. He had survived his first international flight on his own without any problems, even connecting through Washington DC without a hitch.

To keep him awake we went for a quick tour of the city. Nottingham is famous for quite a few things, including Robin Hood, the lace industry and having the oldest pub in England, The Trip to Jerusalem, locally known as just "The Trip". Built in 1189 AD it was used by the knights as a stopping off point on their journey to The Crusades.

We tend to stop off at the Hard Rock Cafe for a pint and some wings.

Saturday it was off to Tony's old stomping grounds, Villa Park to watch Aston Villa play Middlesborough in the Barclays English Premier League. Again the weather was kind to us as we sat through a boring first half but at least the second half was a little more lively and the game ended in a 1-1 draw.

Sunday is always a brisk walk up to The Village, Stanton by Dale for a lunch time pint and a bag of crisps. This time we went via the old St. Giles church in Sandiacre and the village cricket ground. Now try to explain the rules of cricket to any foreign visitor!!!!

Two pubs in The Village and opening hours were at noon for both The Stanhope Arms and The Chequers. Tony was not too happy as we arrived a little early. The landlord at The Stanhope Arms was a little more accommodating and opened up early.

Our Thanksgiving trip was over but certainly a memorable one. No turkey dinner for us though, only fish and chips from the local chip shop (the English have banned serving it in old newspaper by the way).

Grandma was doing fine despite us upsetting her normal routine but she was sad when we set off for our 24 hour trip back home. East Midlands to Amsterdam to Chicago to Portland.

The joys of travel but at least United Airlines upgraded all three of us making the trip a little more bearable. Thank heavens for Bose headphones though !!!!!!!

A quick change and a nice recommendation from the concierge for dinner at a local restaurant "Oud Holland". A warm room, great inexpensive Dutch food and nice friendly service was just what we needed. Afterwards we had to do a quick walk thru the Amsterdam red light district just to see if anything had changed from our last visit. It had, it was busier and still very seedy.