WHEN IN AMSTERDAM

Ollie and I went away literally a matter of days before the COVID madness started to take hold and the concept of 'going on holiday' seemed like a million miles away. It just so happens that this weekend away coincided with horrendous weather: nothing but gale-force winds and bouts of torrential rain. 

We made the most of what we could, shoving our hands into each other's pockets to keep our fingers warm and going on emergency-umbrella-buying-adventures. 

At the recommendation of a friend, we got the train to Haarlem which I think was a highlight for both of us. This little town has charm, mazes of wide and narrow cobbled streets and eclectic local shops. Definitely check out the tourist visitors' centre, it was so interactive! Jopen brewery was a highlight for Ollie, for sure. 

Back in the city, we explored Nine Streets, a shopping area where we were staying. We visited the Rijksmuseum, the flower market, Brouwerij't Brewery, the science museum add-on Micropia and the Magere Bridge. 

We ate at The Food Department in the Magna Plaza shopping centre more than once and I got to sit in a bowl of ramen: it was amazing. The stroopwafels at Van Wonderen were delicious, the bitterballen at Jopen brewery were reason enough to plan a visit. Make sure you try one of the fast-food hot vending machines - such a novelty!

Amsterdam was an interesting city that resembled the more quaint European destinations I have visited: Brugges, Brussels, Lille, but had the grit, personality and busy atmosphere of London.