Clogs!

Spent the day in Amsterdam and felt surprisingly bright eyed and bushy tailed considering we'd enjoyed ourselves so much the night before!

Found an Irish bar where we enjoyed a Full English then wandered in to Dam Square where there was a mini stadium hosting a youngsters football match at one side, and by the monument there was a crowd of Socialists protesting that Geen Mans is Illegal to the strain of Stomp-like drumming. If anyone can translate what Geen Mans is, I'd appreciate it!

Wandered down the road to the bridge and bought my usual tulip bulbs for mom (got black and blue ones this time), then we wandered to the market and had a beer outside Lokaal watching the world go by.

After that we wandered in to the red light district. Sadly the canal is still under construction (it was the same in February!), but the girls were out in plenty and the shops thriving. This stretch of canal has such an amazing atmosphere, and I think that because they're so out there about it all, it doesn't seem so shocking. There are some amazing sights, especially the lady boys (some of them put women to shame!), and it truly is another world. My view is that it's the oldest trade in the world and it'll never stop, so if it's going to be done, do it like the Dutch!

Enjoyed a fun evening on board Pride of Rotterdam, sailing back to Hull. If you haven't done this trip, or even the Bruge one, do it. It's great value for money and a wonderful weekend away.

Thanks to my lovely friends for their company and for once again making this a memorable birthday! =) Large

I've back blipped my birthday blip here Shiver Me Timbers!