San Francisco - the start of our roadtrip

Well the time for our holiday has finally arrived. We chose San Francisco to fly in to as it was not that far from Sacramento and Lake Tahoe and we wanted to revisit a few things.

By the time we landed and collected our car it had gone 5pm and now we had to find our way to the hotel in peak hour traffic. Luckily between us we more or less remembered where to go.

We checked into same hotel as two years ago and freshened up and got ready for to repeat one of our culinary highlights of the last holiday. Circa, well we were not disappointed this time.

The starters were ginormous! I had the Shrimp Scampi which was spicy sausage and shrimp with tonnes of garlic bread.

And Phil had the Baked Camembert, which were both simply delicious!

Phil's main was a lime marinated skirt steak and it was as delicious as he remembered.

I had stuffed chicken which was served with very very rich truffle mac and cheese with lobster.  I got a take out as it was all too much to eat.

We got talking to a lovely couple who were visiting San Fran for the first time.  It was then time for pudding a dessert we were both looking forward to very much.  Last time we shared one this time we had one each.  Black and White JD Bread pudding with Pecans and Caramel sauce.  We left stuffed again!

Amsterdam with my mate

Back in May I booked my flight to Amsterdam to meet my friend Carol who was booking an European tour that started in Amsterdam.  She decided to fly out 3 days before joining her tour so we can spend some time together.  It seemed ridiculous not joining her as she was this close.

Well time flew by and it was September before we knew!  I decided to book some train travel for a stress free commute and Phil dropped me off at the station and agreed to fetch me again the Monday night.  Stress free???  Hardly!!  There was a freight train broken down between Derby and Burton and after waiting for a couple of hours, Phil collected me and took me to the airport along with a girl called Una who also had a flight to Derry to catch.

We got to the airport for 12:15 and by the time I got through security and to my gate, I was just in time to board the plane.  The tiny little plane!

There was only about 40 seats on the plan and being sat next to the propellor, you were unable to have a conversation as you couldn't hear anything.  But we managed to get there safely.

I was all prepared and sent Carol a map of Schipol airport so that we would be able to find one another.  That wasn't as simple as I thought.  Luckily I managed to find a very weary looking mate as she had not slept for over 48 hours!  After a bit of a farse with train tickets we finally managed to get on the right train to Central station.  However, with Carol's heavy suitcase we decided to grab a taxi to the apartment.

We were greeted by our lovely host Jan in a beautiful apartment which looked just like the pictures.  

It was also set in a lovely quiet square away from all the hustle and bustle of Amsterdam night life.

First night we just went to find some food and found this lovely little fondue restaurant.  We thought it was very apt as it is from the era we met.  We went for the fish fondue and it was brilliant.

However, the desert drinks that looked like Don Pedro's but had some italian name made with lemon sorbet and vodka was sublime!

Next morning we decided to go to Museumplein and see the Rijksmuseum.

Inside we got to see Rembrandt's "Nightwatch" and Van Gogh's self portrait.  But I was bored for the most of it as it was just more paintings, but Carol (the artist) seemed to be pleased as punch with being there.



When we finished we went to the park behind the museum and went in search of some food.  The park area was lovely too.







We found some food...



We then went to the Diamond Museum.





And I liked the windows and the floor...





We then went back to our apartment and stopped off at the local for a pint of "Gnome's Piss" or 5.









It a bit of a shock at nearly 20 Euro for a round!!!

Next day we took a oganised trip to Cheese and Clog Factory and to see the Windmills.





Hairiest hands ever spotted on the boat to Volendam.









Now for the Windmills...flying visit.



Looking less than impressed.



Back in the city and a walk round the red light district.









Dam Square and Palace was our next stop.











After a 65 Euro taxi drive to airport via Carol's hotel, Its finally time for the off.  Fab 3 days with my friend.