Another perfect day in Amsterdam with the temperature around 20C. Another sleep in then more exploring, cafe's and coffee.
We had sandwiches on the canal, walked past Anne Frank's house and toured most of the inner city again the same as yesterday, with a much better idea of where we were and where we were headed.
We visited the Palace, which was amazing, however Jen assures me Paris will blow my mind. Huge paintings, frescos, and simply and incredible building.
In the afternoon we walked some more until the legs could take no more, then stopped for a leisurely coffee and then a cruise on a canal ferry for an hour. The canal boat was really nice, cruising speed and looking up at all the lovely five story or so houses .
The sun was setting so headed back to the hotel for a rest with plans for dinner after a rest. The jet lag is still strong as once we hit the bed that was it for the day, no dinner and call it a day.
Tomorrow I am off to Wales to meet Dad, Pam and the distant relatives while Jen is off to Germany on her "girlie week" with people she met in Switzerland on her last overseas trip. We rendevous in Paris on Tuesday the 20th September for afternoon tea and then take a super fast train to Venice.
Friday 16 September
Waking around 6am, we headed out for a short walk to the ATM and got to see Amsterdam while it is empty, a much better way to see the sites. The building are still amazing at 645am. Another "apple flap", for breakfast, back to the hotel to pack and off to the train station for me. Jen doesn't leave until 1030. Caught the train to Schipol Airport and found the easyjet terminal. Not so easy. I have seen all the TV shoes and the whining tourists missing their flight so go there nice and early, or so I thought. Check in closed at 900am and I arrived at the airport at 820. Plenty of time, or so I thought. The line for the baggage drop was massive, so much so I lined up in the check in lane and got served quicker, go figure. Weight my bag then head for the gate. Another massive line to enter the terminal proper and check passport, then another line to scan bags and bodies, then another and another. Four lines in all and I got to the gate are 904, when it was due to close at 910. Thankfully I gave myself some time, or I could have been on TV arguing with them about a 200 euro cost for the next available flight! Lesson for beginners, Amsterdam Airport is huge, it's no Melbourne.
All on board and off to Bristol to meet Dad and then drive to the Rhondda Valley Wales. I hope Jen takes care in Germany.
Arrived in Bristol to Dad and Pam at the gates. Picked up the car, a nice VW 4WD, and the navfree app sat nav worked s treat. Amazing it is free and there is an Aussie version as well. It guided me perfectly from Bristol airport to the Rhonda, whereas Dad took about half an hour to get out of the airport until a motor cyclist took pity OK him and directed him out like a motorcade.
There are many many roundabouts, like Canberra, and not that well sign posted, so the sat nav has been a God send. Paid the whole $1 to rid ads, and now sweet.
Arrived in the Rhonda, and all I can say is Coronation Street. Terrace houses built in 1840's. Dad's cousin Mary is the same age as Dad and a very funny and nice lady. She has dinner for lunch, and snacks for dinner, and like the Simpsons. Gold.
Saturday 17th September
Went to visit a few of Dad's childhood friends. The Quins and a few other people. They live up the valley a little, and all in the same street. It was very funny, where is such and such? Oh she's up the street two doors down. Billy's over the road, and the Jones's have moved, four doors down. Nothing much changes in the valleys.
We then went to the Big Pit coal mine museum. We went underground 90 meters and through many tunnels that the coal travelled through. Saw the coal face, and places where they kept the horses that dragged the coal out. The horses used to spend their entire lives underground, until much later when they got two weeks a year above the surface. The horses were treated better than the miners. Very funny tour guide talking about leaving partners underground for a cut of the insurance, then offering the other partner the same for a slightly bigger cut. Funny Welshman. Dad's sense of humor and way is starting to make a bit more sense now. They are all very similar. I can understand most, except for the heavy Welsh accents, which are almost impossible. Headed hone for a snack and laughed hard at the X factor UK. Terrible singers.
Sunday 18th September
A lazy start to the day and then headed to another school friend of Dad. Dad started school at age three, amazing. Bill Fletcher is his name and he worked the majority of his life for British Airways. He gets one free international flight per year. Not bad.
Visited St Fagans Welsh Mueseum, where they have imported many examples of Welsh houses over the last 300-400 years. There was also a lovely castle which showed the contrast between the rich and poor. Dad was quite excited seeing all the houses 'the way he used to live'. OOur lovely Sat Nav Woman directed us home, but the voice instructions have gone quiet for unknown reasons, which makes it a little harder to watch road and sat nav.
Down the pub for some free wireless, about the only access in the area as the mobile coverage with vodafine and orange is horendous. Living in a Valley has it's advantages and disadvantages.
Another touring day tomorrow then on Tuesday off to Heathrow and London to catch the Chunnel train to Paris for a 'rendevous' with Jen for afternoon tea, then fast train overnight to Venice. Life is hard.
Called Jen today when she and I finally knew each others phone number and had coverage. She is having a wonderful time in Germany. Her words were mountains, lkes, wine and cakes. Sounds good to me.
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