Spring flowers in Amsterdam.

Nimrod

We keep hearing Nimrod being played - this is what we signed the register to at our wedding so I really want to dig it out and listen to it at home.

This week...

I've had a very annoying cough - I think it is finally slowing down. My husband says he is fed up with it!!!

I did a Spring Fair on Saturday which was a bit quiet but it was a lovely event - met some very nice people and bought some yummy cupcakes. In the afternoon we walked at Lowsonford with some friends which was lovely - it was a gorgeous day - we walked along the canal then stopped for a drink at The Crab Mill, Preston Bagot. On the way back along the road we stopped in to look at a church and a local chap (who was there to lock up) told us about the fabulous stained glass windows - Burne Jones - saved from a church that was destroyed by fire in Birmingham. Such a beautiful church with awesome views.
At night Mike and I had fish and chips - very nice and just lazed about. I had a bath and went to bed early with my book - Second Honeymoon by Joanna Trollope - I bought the wrong book - it was meant to be Anita Shreve's Second Honeymoon. The book is ok although the main character, Edie , is a pain of a woman so I'll be glad to finish it and get shot of her!
Went to church yesterday and although it was quiet (was everyone visiting their mothers?) it was a great service and we had good chats with people. (With PJ about Canada, China and NZ)
Afterwards we unexpectedly had lunch at Blooms where we had gone to buy veg seeds.

Today I am working finishing some orders and mailing some new supplements out. Also I am making lemon curd and dusting the conservatory and bedroom. Tomorrow I go to Glasgow and then when I am back we have visitors so I want to prepare for that before I go.

Concert

Last night we went to a fantastic concert at the Arts Centre - Elgar & Mahler - I thought I'd be so tired I would struggle to stay awake but it was just brilliant and I loved every minute of it.

Today I've had a mad day with work, making up lots of orders and trying to get events booked. Am going to keep working tonight but will watch a DVD too.

So back to this Saturday...

as I said, I'm taking it easy and going for a little sleep. We have friends coming over tonight which will be lovely.

My husband bought me a little treat this morning...I'm afraid to say it's long gone but here's a picture of it.

The final day in Amsterdam...

was a little tough as we were both not feeling so well. Mike had a cold before we went and mine started while we were there. However we made the best of it and went to the Van Gogh museum which we enjoyed and then another canal trip and some walking.

On the Sunday...

We got up as early as possible and went to Anne Frank's house. This was very moving. I had read the book as a child and then also saw the play in Canada a few years back and so I couldn't believe that I actually stood in Anne's bedroom.
We had lunch afterwards in their cafe - cassis - very Dutch apparently "nobody English ever has this..." I didn't mention I was Scottish but that may explain it?! Also the most glorious tomato soup - chunks of fresh tomato, short noodles and fresh herbs liberally scattered - wonderful. Then we walked some more canals, saw the flower market, enjoyed waffles, cherry compote and ice cream in our little cafe and then went to the hotel before heading back to Il Palio (the same restaurant as we went the previous night) This time followed by a trip to Ben & Jerry's!