Amsterdam in Autumn

It’s M’s 30th this month so to celebrate we booked a mini break to Amsterdam.

We caught the night ferry from Harwich and travelled as we slept. It was so nice to start our holiday early, and tuck ourselves up on our little cabin ( although I was sick in the shower in the morning as it was a bit rocky!). It only took an hour or so after we docked at 8 am, and we headed towards an Amsterdam park and ride.

We took a canal trip after some breakfast. It was a good way to get to know the city and we were able to hop on and off as we pleased. We loved the floating flower market!

We we’re booked into the Anne Frank house and talk at 8 o clock so had dinner by the canal by candle light. The Anne Frank house was fascinating and quite emotional. I’ve read the book several times and also taught it in school but I still wasn’t prepared for how I would feel. There’s no furniture in the house, at Otto Frank’s request, but the marks made on the wall showing the different heights of Anne and her sister are still preserved.

Our accomodation was a half an hours drive from the city in Almere Bhutan. I found the room on air bnb and our hosts Hans and Jessie were very welcoming.

The next day we journey North West for an hour to Zannse Schans. I remember vaguely going when I went on a school trip to Holland when I was 11. It resembles a traditional Dutch village but set up like a museum. There are 7 windmills that you can look around, a clog workshop, a cheese factory, weavers house, pewter foundry, chocolate house and lots of little gift shops. After than we went to the fishing village of Volendam for a drink and some squid and chips.

On our third day we decided to head back into Amsterdam for shopping and a mooch around.

I had previously searched for a yarn shop in Amsterdam and the best one appeared to be Stephen and Penelope! We (I) was not disappointed! There was the biggest selection of hand dyed yarn that I had ever seen and it really made me want to take up knitting.

I bought a skein of Undercover Otter hand dyed in Amsterdam yarn. I’m thinking of making a shawl with it. I also bought a sheep pin badge and a Stephen and Penelope WIP bag.

The shops around the Jordan district were right up my alley. I would have bought whole tea sets if I was sure they’d have gotten home safely!

That night we traveled a very very unusual route to the island of Markham where we made our way through the pitch black to an A la carte restaurant at the end of the sea front. The food was amazing and I had my wines matched to each course. Bloody expensive but 🤷🏼‍♀️ we’re on holiday.

Our ferry home was at 2 the next day so we decided to leave early and travel to the city of Delft, where they make the pottery. Delft was lovely actually. There was a nice yarn shop there too but I was mostly concerned with breakfast. We found a brunch place which was quite possibly the coolest place I’ve ever eaten a morning meal. We ordered bacon and fruit pancakes and M ordered a hot milk filled with Malteasers!

I definitely enjoyed my trip to Amsterdam but I’m pleased we took the car. Two days was more than enough exploring the city and it was nice to get out and explore the surrounding areas. We plan to visit Holland again with bikes and canoes next tine and perhaps spend a few days camping and adventuring.