Week 40
Late getting started this week. So not much to report!
Granddaughter Georgia arrived in Amsterdam, which worked out well for us. We had to go there to help Ben move back into "his" hotel.
Georgia has been travelling around Europe, the last bit alone. She even managed to find a place where she could go to watch the footy - at 0600hrs, no less!
She and Ben were able to swap Travellers' Tales to their hearts' content.
We ate virtually non-stop - or so it seems. The Esco Bar in Albert Cuyp, The Girassol Portuguese restaurant near Hotel Casa and Sunday breakfast at Bakers and Roasters - so popular that people are happy to wait for an hour to get in. Our wait was only 30 minutes and they texted us when it was time!
The Kiwi Brekkie
In between eating, we went to the Modern Art Museum. Now, I must admit that this sort of "art" may not be my thing - as I find it hard to recognise the art - must be my age and/or lack of culture. I'm happy to add it to my too short list of "things I have done with my grandkids"!
Ben was able to send us instructions about which tram to catch and where to get off - he just knows his way around Amsterdam, the way I used to be able to get around Melbourne.
Gas Bills
Ben told us that one of his friends had a shock when they got a €1200,00 gas bill! People are allowed to text or email their metre readings to the gas company - it seems that one of the flatmates sent through the meter NUMBER instead of the meter reading!
Casa Hotel
Ben is back at the Casa Hotel for the third year running. He was nominated as a "Casa Buddy" - to help new residents find their way with rules and procedures. In return for which, he was allowed to move in a day early - which meant that we had somewhere to stay!
The view from his 9th floor room...
Around the farm...
Just the usual...
except that I found some time to start making a base for the new Compost Toilet on the boat. It all takes a while...with trips to the boat to check measurements. And then there's the matter of a slight leak from one of the fuel tanks!
From my France Correspondent
Frank goes cycling a lot - sometimes past the large cornfields. Last week he stopped to harvest some of the corn - to try to cook and eat it! Now, I've "been there and done that" in the Netherlands - probably more than 20 years ago!
BUT.... the corn is inedible! For humans, at least. It is grown under (yet another) farmer's subsidy to provide winter food for the dairy cattle. I have often wondered why, if they can grow it so readily, isn't it also grown for people to eat??
a Google search found this....
The Netherlands is a steady net importer of maize. On average in the last three years, it imported 5 million tonnes and produced 200,000 tonnes. Exports are limited to around 500,000 tonnes. Most of the imports are used for domestic consumption (4.7 million tonnes) split between feed (around 70%) and food (30%).
Ah, Monday morning.... back to work
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