Part Ten of the Big Train Adventure - Amsterdam

The end is in sight. The writing of this journey is taking as long as the journey itself because real life is happening here at the same time - it's going to be a big catch up post when I finally end this part of the adventure!
We took the sleeper to Amsterdam for those of you who remember and are still with me.
I was tired by this time - I am an old lady and I had been living out of a rucksack for a month. Also - in March - the weather as we headed north was - predictably - colder. And I wasn't really too keen on 'wetter'! Amsterdam was rainy as well as cold.
But it was Amsterdam!

(look at the puddle in the kids seat cover!)
and we were staying here for another couple of days.
I spend these days pottering round the amazing streets and drinking fabulous orange juice and coffee - writing my journal and shopping for gifts.

left - forks in a junk shop in Amsterdam..... right, fish in the market in Split.

Martha and Matt have a friend who lives on a boat and we went to visit her and have tea in the Captains Cabin


We ate well at this amazing place and if the New York Times rates it you know it must be OK!

No photo of the shop I spent most time in - my favourite place Kitsch Kitchen, full of plastic toys, pink things and all that is weird and wonderful


oh so worthy of a visit if you are in Holland - they have many shops.
So we come to the final stages of this journey. John was going to head north to spend a few weeks with a friend in Gronegan and I was off to get the ferry to North Shields.

Here is the lad through the rainy window of the bus I took to the ferry terminal. It was a sad moment after all we had been through together!
Sigh
Off then on my own for the last bit of travelling. The steward on the bus thanked us for travelling with DFDS and warned that the sea was 'very rough' and to expect a stormy crossing. Said with a certain amount of glee I felt. So I used my last ten Euro to upgrade my cabin to one above deck, with a window and used all the duvets and pillows in the four berth cabin to create a nest of cosiness, went to bed as soon as we set sail and slept better than I had in weeks to be woken by the announcement that we were docking soon.

I got the bus to Newcastle, the train to Hexham, a fortunate lift from the lovely Holly to my doorstep and I was drinking tea out of my favourite cup within five minutes of arriving home and greeting the dog who went berserk.
Home - a very good place to be. But what an adventure. The next post - very soon I hope - will be a resume of the planning - or lack of - that went into this trip and some tips and hints. Plus a giveaway for anyone who might be thinking of doing something similar.
Then - back to the shed - the garden - felt making - sewing - Art Tour - and hens - yes - you read it first here - HENS!!

Comments

[Alma Vogler]

what a lovely trip...Makes me want to travel too.

[Jo Allen]

Loved reliving the trip with you Katie. Missed you while you did it though. Am very jealous of the hens. It is one of my goals in life to be the mummy of some hens. Not here in Bradford though - I think we'd have to move!

[Alison]

What a fantastic trip you have had Katie and so great to spent presious time and an adventure with your son. I have so enjoyed your posts.
Take care,
Alison x

[Maddy]

That was fantastic, thanks so much for sharing it all with us, and welcome home to blogland.

[Lindsay]

I love that crossing. The beginning and end of past adventures. But hens? Ooooh. Can't wait to see their pics.

[alison]

Sounds like a great trip.

[carolyn]

Hens? Did you say hens? Can't wait to see them.

[carolyn]

Sorry got a bit carried away with the hens there. Meant to also say how much I've enjoyed sharing your trip even if it was only via the internet. Wonder if I'll ever do anything like this with one of my sons, would be nice to think so.

[Lindsay]

Been a bit of a lurker but really enjoyed travelling with you through your blog. Good luck with the chooks - they are lovely to keep. Any special breed in mind?

[rosie]

thank you for taking us along on the trip; I've really enjoyed it! OOh, and hens! Can't wait to hear about them.

[willow]

I just gave a sigh of contentment! Home again safely with all those memories tucked away in your brain and your journal!

I love to travel and I love to come home again!

[schoenefarben]

For a long time I didn`t visit your blog.What a wonderful journey.
Next time you come and visite Cologne, Bonn and Aachen please!
Thanks for the amsterdam link. In july I go there.
Best wishes
Angelika

[Lindsey (ethel and edna)]

Phew!! Next time can we please go on a laze-by-the-pool-and-sip-cocktails-all-day holiday? I'm exhausted! Thanks so much or the trip. I've loved it. If you check into my blog there's a little thank you for you..... :0)

[julie]

What an incredible journey Katie - and an amazing experience to cherish and enjoy. I've loved seeing all of the photos (these days I'm an armchair traveller) and hearing your wonderful descriptions which really made them come alive. Glad that you're happy to be home there's nothing quite like tea from your fave cup after an epic adventure! Looking forward to hearing about the hens.

[Milly]

What a lovely adventure and I have been following your posts each step of the way and loving all the pictures! Thank you for sharing your lovely journey with us all.

[No. 1 child.]

Dear readers of my mother's blog. My mother is still alive. I know, she phones me. I can't phone her because she may quiz me more deeply over the missing hoover attatchments that were last seen in my hands. apparently. Anyway, her hens are laying well and she is very busy making fairy capes and other things.
Worry not.
She is still mint.

[Alison]

Glad to hear it:-)