Arrive: Amsterdam Schipol

We were supposed to have taken the previous flight (at 14:35), but as this was heavily booked we were asked if we wouldn't mind being "offloaded" to the later flight. When we were offered £100 in British Midland vouchers each to do this we readily agreed!

In the event, the original flight was delayed by 1½ hours, whilst ours left on-time, so we only had to wait half an hour more than we would have done anyway. We were also upgraded to business class - Dave was well pleased!

Spent two hours at the airport trying to find out what had happened to our luggage. The staff were very helpful, but couldn't tell us when our luggage would arrive. Eventually it was clear that it would not get there until very late, or even the next morning, so we met-up with Paul and went straight back to his flat.

Dinner at "Ristorante La Gondola", just around the corner from Paul's flat.

Clubbing.

Spent almost all day at Paul's flat waiting for our luggage to arrive. After several phone calls to the airlines agents at Schipol it was finally delivered at 5pm.

Late afternoon walk along the Amstel to the new Muziek Theater, and then winding across the old canals to Nieuwmarkt.
Stop for coffee in a latin american café.

Dinner at "Bloomers" Bar/Restaurant

More clubbing!

Recouperation.

Entertained by the antics of a group of people across the street attempting to winch furniture into one of the upper floor flats through the window.

Drive to Utrecht. Get lost a couple of times, but have a great view of the huge Ajax stadium.

Brunch at the "Graaf Floris" on the old fish quay.

Wandered around the old town with its unique "sunken" two-tier canals. Then visit the 14th century cathedral tower. Andrew managed to persuade Dave and Paul to climb the 400 steps all the way to the very top.

Dinner at "Le Bibelot" French restaurant on the old quayside.

Return to Amsterdam by train (Paul had driven back earlier in the evening) from Utrecht's enexpectedly large Central Station.

Meet Paul in his local bar, and have a highly enjoyable evening chatting with the locals.

Weather appalling, so lounge around for most of the morning

Take luggage to Amsterdam Central Station, then go to the "CyB@r" internet cafe to send a few emails and check on the status of flights from Schipol.

Stroll around the City centre, then late lunch at "Ovidium".

Train to Schipol.

The Tower Block
Phase III (14/04/99)
http://www.highrise.dircon.co.uk/
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