You'll have to see the weight loss in my face, as I feature my phiz in front of the 'Dam's many architectural delights. I'm about the same size as the pic I posted in my stack-heeled desert boots last year, but without the suntan that concerned you :)

Then again - spray tan tomorrow, so maybe I will take a new pic! Not of the boots tho - buried in the bottom of a pink bag already.

Yup - I'm packed. Not a lot more to do. Plans made with Fr Peter and the bro. Tan to be sprayed, hair to be cut, coach to be caught. If I get the laptop/ wireless to work you'll hear from me soonish. Unless I am cabbaged. But I have to much to do to succumb too badly.

Lots of hopes. Hope that the independent boat tours are running (run by volunteers so no guarantee). Hope that the cheese tasting is available - no reply to my mail, but is on the i-Amsterdam card so must be tourist-prepared. Hope that the rain forecast on Fri & Sat isn't too much for my (normal) boots. Hope I get the larger of the two singles. Hope I get to take two bags onto the coach (naughty, naughty, but I'm hoping it won't be full).

But it's my first holiday since E's wedding, so I KNOW I'll make the most of it.

totally OT, SG but how tall are you?

Have a belting time chika! Amsterdam is about to get a helping of Sundae awesomeness :P

Don't break Amsterdam, I want to go there someday! ;)

Have a great time!

Squirrel, I'm just over 5'7"
I don't mind the question being off topic, but now I do need to know why you asked of course... I don't care if the woman stalking you has pink hair, it's not me. Even if she is just over 5'7"
(I'm stalking Jim. Jinx understands. She sometimes throws Indian food out on the lawn for me).

Had to weigh my bigger bag in a panic. It seemed SO large and SO heavy I was sure it was over 20kg - the limit for coaches. Nope, well under. Don't ask for a translation of 20kg - I don't know. Dads has a bag weighing device and it's in the same language as the instructions on my ticket. Am just taking the two bags after all. The conformist in me is terrified of being stranded at Victoria Coach Station with an extra bag I can't take and nowhere to put it.

Oh I wish I wish I wish I'd taken a photo of me in my Fake Bake today. I looked like Alex Reid. Or Madge from Benidorm. Of course it washes off, leaving you with a more natural look. But I have some really funky thong lines. I knew I'd have them of course, but they make me feel sexy. As if I wear teeny tiny pants out in the sun.

If you are very very lucky I will try to get a photo.
Maybe in Amsterdam, when I've sampled some of the local cuisine.

All packed now - using Mum's toiletries tomorrow morning so I can tick off everything on my list.

I'll try not to break the 'Dam. As long as it doesn't spill my pint.

E X C I T E D!

20kg! and you are taking two bags? That will be like hurfing a dead body around. Hopefully you'll have a luggage cart.


-side note-
For anyone that wants to correct me on the weight of dead bodies. I know it is probably three and four times that weight for the average corpse but I'm just chit chatting here.

I guess it's because you always look so tall in your photos, I thought you were over six feet. You must put the camera on an ottoman or something.

Have an excellent time. The Dutch are pretty tall as I remember. Take lots of photos.

Dutch men are gorgeous.
But then I knew that already.

Feel like I've been beaten with a big spiky sleep-stick.
Am currently cuddling the Diz-cat and congratulating him on the loudest purr I've ever heard. And realising that with every movement I make, a new and interesting smell is released.

Lovely. I'm thinking about unpacking. And about having a shower. But I think I'll pretend I'm on my hols for just another few hours.

I loved it, loved it, loved it.
Wish I was back there now with twice the amount of time to spend and three times the money (although Amsterdam is a decent place to be a poor tourist in). Didn't take many pics - much of Amsterdam is swaddled in building wraps and/ or closed for renovation.

I do have some lovely pictures of food though. And a few reviews up my sleeve. Will post much much later!

Welcome back SG.

As you didn't take too many photos of the place, would you consider posting links to Google Street View? Coverage of The Netherlands looks pretty comprehensive.

Carruthers

Coverage of the Netherlands,
sounds like a euphemism for pants :P

There's a village not too far from here called Nether Winchendon.

Make of that, what you will.

Carruthers

The trouble with Street View in the 'Dam is that there are many one-way streets & pedestrianised areas. I'll do my best with descriptions, links etc though.

One thing I do want to get off my chest though - I went to a sex club. Well, you all know how much I was not looking forward to ticking the 2010 World Cup off as another anniversary... So I went to a parenclub (we'd probably call it a swingers club). Interesting. Learned some things about myself. Can elaborate if necessary.

Met a lovely American man in doing so, so no regrets. Will probably never meet again, but he helped make me feel safe and looked after. See? I have a talent for meeting decent people in real life too.

Anyway, with that out of the way I'll start posting stories & photos. None about the above I promise (unless asked!)

askin'..... :D

Yeah, what's this? You know damn well everyone wants to hear the sexy stories.

You just want to be asked. I'm sure you've got everyone curious by now. :D