tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57159192011-12-14T10:07:44.531+01:00I moved to Amsterdam from the UK in March 2003 and sometimes I have stories to tell. I'd like to share some of my adventures with you.Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.comBlogger1391100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-19948257720966287272007-11-01T19:04:00.000+01:002007-11-03T13:35:14.152+01:00

I did it!Okay, it's taken me nearly two weeks to get round to writing about it, but I'm happy to be able to say that I have now completed my first marathon! It was a fantastic experience, and I enjoyed it so much that I'm even starting to think about which one I want run next.The picture was taken just after I finished.The guy in the background looks pretty excited, but I just look knackered! The

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-548785253046784022007-10-10T10:14:00.000+02:002007-10-10T10:19:26.065+02:00

Okay, I'll stop moaning now. I've been to the chiropractor who re-arranged practically every bone in my body, invested in an hour's massage and a days rest and hopefully that will do the trick.I've just been re-reading the story of Cliff Young, which puts all my whinging into perspective... if you've not heard of this guy before, you must read his story.

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-52863272947494250802007-10-07T15:48:00.000+02:002007-10-07T15:56:06.823+02:00

I ran this morning for 2 hours... just a slow pace, around 18km... and it was terrible. Now I feel like I've been hit by a truck. Both knees are killing me, my back is locked up and I'm exhausted. Please, please, please don't let this happen on Marathon Day. I had a rotten cold for a few days during the week but I thought that I was fully recovered. Let's just hope this is just a bad day and not

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-86193618922249752212007-09-29T19:54:00.000+02:002007-10-07T15:58:22.119+02:00

I know I run the risk of becoming a bit of a running bore, but bear with me for another three weeks until the Marathon obsession phase ends. In the meantime I'm going to keep writing about it. It's hard not to, as I seem to be spending more and more hours every week getting ready for the 21st October.This week I made a couple of personal breakthroughs... firstly on Wednesday by running 5km faster

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-61328053035829388152007-09-24T20:58:00.000+02:002007-09-24T21:49:57.445+02:00

After all the hard work and preparation that leads up to the Dam tot Dam race (an annual 1o mile/16km road race between Amsterdam and Zaandam), I'm happy to say that it was a really successful day yesterday. The sun shone, the skies were blue, everyone was going around with big smiles on their faces, and no one collapsed of heat exhaustion. Phew. Every year the task of organising the work team

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-652181140805862342007-09-16T13:52:00.001+02:002007-09-16T21:19:56.042+02:00

As the Amsterdam marathon looms nearer (just five weeks to go now) the training runs are getting longer and longer. I'm now in the habit of getting up early on Sunday mornings to slog it out around various routes for an increasing amount of hours. I can't walk down stairs without saying 'ow, ow, ow' out loud every Monday morning, but it feels great to be breaking a personal record every week, and

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-19531449402082907942007-09-08T13:14:00.000+02:002007-09-08T14:11:33.853+02:00

I got to Centraal Station on Thursday night after work and went to collect my bike, which I'd left locked in its usual spot (amongst the other billion bikes) and realised that someone had nicked the front wheel. There is nothing unusual about this, as it's a well-known fact that the junkies help themselves to bikes (or parts of bikes) on a daily basis round there to sell on the street. However, I

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-84427678727287037222007-09-01T21:31:00.000+02:002007-09-01T22:35:55.619+02:00

Okay, so this isn't strictly speaking an Amsterdam Adventure, but it's hard to seek adventures in Amsterdam when you happen to be staying in the Algarve for the whole week. I nevertheless promised a weekly update, so I'm shifting the focus to Portugal for this entry.Me and my friend Elise have had a great week sunning ourselves on sandy shores and return to Holland feeling nicely relaxed (and a

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-27511492126695270362007-08-19T19:52:00.000+02:002007-08-19T19:56:28.750+02:00

The other day I was cycling along, minding my own business, when I caught a glimpse of another cyclist, travelling in the opposite direction. There was something weird about his face. As he cycled closer I realised that he was wearing a false beak. He saw me looking and started to quack out loud. I love Amsterdam. It's the only place in the world where a man dressed as a duck on a bike offers you

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-22582716320764047082007-08-19T19:38:00.000+02:002007-08-19T19:58:08.991+02:00

They were screening 'Eagle Vs. Shark' (a black comedy from New Zealand) as part of the film festival 'Pluk de Nacht' last night. Me and my friend Natalie decided to go along. It was so great to cycle over there, set up a couple of camping chairs next to the water, grab a beer and settle down to watch a good movie under the night sky. Okay, the weather isn't exactly typical for August at the

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-70194731916667388152007-08-12T15:57:00.000+02:002007-08-12T17:01:58.284+02:00

Every year De Parade comes to town and I fully intend to visit, but this year was the first time that I finally got round to it. I had so much fun I kicked myself for not trying it before.De Parade (pronounced par-ah-der) is a festival ground full of performance tents and trailers, each concealing a potential treat. Visitors queue to buy tickets for short performances, which happen at regular

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-61995313838441130132007-08-08T10:05:00.000+02:002007-08-08T21:20:02.645+02:00

Last week's new 'Amsterdam Experience' was a visit to 'The Sand', a beach volleyball centre nowhere near a beach. In fact it was inside a warehouse in the middle of an ugly industrial estate, stuck out near to not-so-glamorous Sloterdijk station in the North of Amsterdam. The Dutch are very good at dumping some sand and a few potted palm trees where it suits them and creating their own seaside

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-54693165767321218582007-07-28T12:19:00.001+02:002007-07-28T16:34:56.490+02:00

I'm aware that this blog hasn't really been living up to it's name recently.So in the name of Amsterdam Adventures I'm planning on getting out there more often and finding some. I've been busy reminding myself that there's a big city just outside my door that is only partly discovered, so from now on I'm going to do something new at least once a week and will write about it. Promises, promises...

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-38732816287315970032007-07-07T12:31:00.001+02:002007-07-07T12:52:45.810+02:00

I'm getting used to having rainwater dripping off the end of my nose by the time I reach home these days, but this week has been exceptionally soggy.As a cyclist in Amsterdam I'm accustomed to the rain and if I have the right gear on I actually don't mind it at all. However, the rain has been pouring by the bucket-load for weeks now and I think if it goes on much longer I'm going to develop

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-20694323462220787592007-06-07T20:57:00.001+02:002007-06-07T21:06:58.400+02:00

The sun is shining once more over Amsterdam and life is pretty good here. I've been discovering the joys of living in the Westerpark. I can't get enough of my new neighbourhood. It's fab to be able to get up in the morning, open up the balcony doors and look out over the world with a cup of tea.The corner shop over the street sells lovely Turkish bread, fresh mint and all manner of handy stuff.

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-84228324208319687772007-05-20T19:39:00.001+02:002007-06-07T20:56:28.541+02:00

I baked a large batch of chocolate chip cookies for a visitor, who's just phoned to cancel. In my attempt to avoid working my way through them, I thought I'd catch up on a bit of overdue blogging. The cookies are in the cupboard calling my name and I have an incredible lack of self-control when it comes to these things. Especially on a grey sunday afternoon when there's no one around to remind me

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-21115120533331770672007-04-14T18:43:00.000+02:002007-04-14T19:01:40.787+02:00

I love my new apartment. It’s as simple as that. Even the process of hauling boxes up stairs on moving day last week was a pleasure, because it meant the long wait was over and I finally get my own little place in the world. I got the keys on the 2nd, which was a surreal moment. Piles of papers were signed and terms and conditions explained, then bang- I was a house-owner..As a non-native I was

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-56122230501043484902007-03-25T22:00:00.000+02:002007-03-25T22:28:14.665+02:00

I can't get enough of the mountains this year, and am a spoiled cow because I'm going for my third trip of the season this week. I'm going to squeeze three more days of snowboarding from my schedule before I return to the financial responsibility of a brand new mortgage and significantly less disposable income for a while (I sign for my apartment keys a week tomorrow!)I just got back last weekend

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-80299721445761595622007-03-04T20:38:00.000+01:002007-03-04T20:54:19.745+01:00

Sometimes the Dutch have really good ideas. Like the OV-fiets card (public transport bike card). You have to pay a stupid amount of money to put your own bike on a train here, so instead you can take out a membership for a year which entitles you to hire special blue bikes from any major train station for just a couple of euro. You can cycle around all day, explore new places and return the bikes

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-40607012353899729112007-03-01T08:27:00.000+01:002007-03-01T08:48:06.978+01:00

Living in Amsterdam means that you get to mix with people from all over the World on a regular basis, which is fantastic, but the downside of this is that people who you get attached to often move away at what seems like a moment's notice. I've learned to get used to this transient experience, where people suddenly 'up sticks' and move to the other side of the planet. It's sad when they do, but

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-22598702147157017802007-02-26T21:10:00.000+01:002007-02-26T21:15:57.847+01:00

I popped home at the weekend to visit my family back in England. Actually, the word 'popped' seems inappropriately light considering the effort it took to get there for such a short space of time. My journey started on Saturday morning and after travelling by train, plane, bus, another train, another bus, another train then a car I finally managed to get to Portsmouth during the late afternoon.

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-90117951195354535712007-02-26T20:56:00.000+01:002007-02-26T21:09:44.252+01:00

It's official - I will get the keys to my new apartment before Easter.I can't even begin to convey just how excited I am at the prospect of moving in. It's been a long wait during some tough months and it seems like moving day will give me the fresh start I crave. This little flat is more than bricks and mortar. After more than fifteen years of paying rent to various landlords I actually get to

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-66174659787039796572007-02-19T20:53:00.000+01:002007-02-20T21:09:45.093+01:00

It's been too long since I blogged.Since then there's been Christmas, New Year, a ski trip, a weekend in Edinburgh, countless days in Hoofddorp (waiting, waiting, waiting for those keys...) snow, speed-dating, weird-dating, pancake-making, corpse-viewing (yes really), excessive chocolate eating (then many hours of training to get rid of the results), hip-hop dancing, bad-taste parties, and all

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-87278388722447434672006-12-22T22:50:00.000+01:002006-12-22T23:18:18.941+01:00

It seems that I don't just get Laetitia Griffith's phone calls, I also get her mail. This is altogether more fun than the calls as the mail is less abusive and contains free stuff.I had an invitation through the mail inviting me (plus guest) to the star-studded premiere of the Christmas Circus at the Royal Theatre Carre in Amsterdam. The presence of my name-sake was required on the red carpet and

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-58842507320851249422006-12-21T07:57:00.000+01:002006-12-21T08:10:28.632+01:00

Below is a pic of my Nephew Oscar and his little friend Iva. They won a fancy dress competition yesterday by dressing up as Christmas Puddings. Can't wait to see the little fellow when I fly home on Sunday! He gets cuter by the day.

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-34770747621654216792006-12-16T21:10:00.000+01:002006-12-16T22:34:15.886+01:00

I've had an amazing afternoon, courtesy of my new housemate Claython. He recently got his pilot's licence so is now able to take a few friends flying whenever he fancies. I was lucky enough to get one of the four seats on today's exclusive flight.It was a grey and rainy day when we arrived at Lelystad airport at lunchtime, but after an hour or two's wait the weather started to clear and we were

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1166173495259592692006-12-15T09:44:00.000+01:002006-12-15T10:04:55.270+01:00

I'm supposed to be in Austria. Instead I'm in Hoofddorp. I'll give you a quick comparison - in Hoofddorp there are less mountains, less snow, less gluhweijn, no handsome ski instructors, and generally not too many opportunities to snowboard. I took the whole week off work because of a planned trip to Kirchberg, but unfortunately the resort is still closed because it all looks very green hills / '

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1165138405925568582006-12-03T10:07:00.000+01:002006-12-03T10:33:27.020+01:00

I'm able to type this entry from the comfort of my bed, due to the 'all mod-cons' nature of my new address, which boasts super-fast wireless internet access and an indoor sauna. I'll be wanting my own butler soon.I deserve a bit of pampering as it's been a crazy couple of days. Every time I move I have this naive faith that the packing and moving process will be straightforward. How much stuff

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1163706602869094982006-11-16T20:34:00.000+01:002006-11-16T20:50:02.880+01:00

It seems I have a new career as a Dutch politician.In the approach to the Dutch elections on 22nd November, my private home phone seems to be a hotline for various mad people who seem to think that I can answer their questions regarding the policies of my party, or just would like to engage in a bit of good old-fashioned verbal abuse.This misunderstanding stems from the fact that I'm listed in

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1162142175215052102006-10-29T18:06:00.000+01:002006-10-30T19:05:59.480+01:00

With the aid of a nasty cheap wig, white face paint and some clothes from the back of my wardrobe, I was transformed last night into a vision of gothic loveliness. Actually, I looked like a total freak, but that's okay because I was going to a Halloween party with an Addam's Family theme. Seemed like a good idea at the time, as did the seven glasses of 'blood' red wine that I quaffed, but today

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1161200443781663942006-10-18T21:31:00.000+02:002006-10-18T21:56:08.840+02:00

I did it! My first Half Marathon. All 21km (13 miles) of it! It took 2 hrs and 5 mins. It felt great, and I'm once again grateful for the company of my race-buddy Mairead who kept my mind off my aching legs. Race videos of our victorious finish can be found here.

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1160147937266197752006-10-06T17:00:00.000+02:002006-11-16T20:54:07.376+01:00

All change.I'm crashing at my sister's place in London this week and am enjoying some time-out from the blur of changes that have been rapidly taking place in my life in the past weeks.As I am now zonder Nederlander , I'm having to adjust to a 'single girl in Amsterdam' status again. It's sad, exciting, scary, liberating and strange all at once.As much as I love our apartment, it is definitely a

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1158869831906656112006-09-21T22:08:00.000+02:002006-09-23T09:59:42.606+02:00

I've just got home to see a letter from 14-year old Christiaan on the doormat, who's a bit sad because his pet snake has escaped. This creature is a 'Canadese Kousenbandslang' (this seems to translate from Dutch as a 'Canadian Stocking-bandage Snake'), which looks like this: In his letter, Christiaan informs us that it is a non-strangling and non-poisonous type of snake. I'm quite happy about

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1158695116116426562006-09-19T21:15:00.000+02:002006-09-19T21:45:16.153+02:00

Despite the 'wobbly weeble week' I had last week... sleep deprivation, emotional turmoil, blah blah blah.... I succeeded in smashing my personal best time in this year's Dam tot Dam race. I crossed the line at 1 hour, 33 mins and 26 secs, dispelling my own self-created myth that I'm getting too old and creaky for all that nonsense. See if you can spot me at the 10km mark, running along with a

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1158403234967570202006-09-16T12:36:00.000+02:002006-09-16T12:45:48.066+02:00

Remember these? I used to love these little guys, and had a set exactly like this when I was a kid.I'm going through a wobbly weeble-phase at the moment, and am inspired by their resillience.So it's me and the weebles, still standing!

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1158402499517166982006-09-16T12:22:00.000+02:002006-09-16T12:35:16.060+02:00

Montignac le Coq Sept 06 047rotatedOriginally uploaded by Lucy Griffith. Last week I got to bask in some French sunshine during a family holiday. My sister arranged to hire a beautiful farmhouse ('Le Pible') in the tiny village of Montignac le Coq. The house and grounds were fantastic and the perfect place to enjoy a bit of sunshine and tranquility.It's not often you get to take a dip in your own

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1156594374778943292006-08-26T14:07:00.000+02:002006-08-26T14:18:47.480+02:00

Sailing Event Aug 06 071Originally uploaded by Lucy Griffith.Okay, so after all that moaning I thought I'd post in a more serene frame of mind.The photo was taken during my first sailing experience, at Aalsmeer Sailing School, where I went on Thursday with a group of people from work for a couple of hours on the water.The sun shone for us and the water was like glass so it was an extremely

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1155568816917491522006-08-14T17:17:00.000+02:002006-10-06T20:35:55.366+02:00

Rain, Rain, Rain, Rain, Rain, then a bit more rain.Every time I get on my bike I get soaked. Due to my recent nasty trouser accident I was forced to buy some new 'ultra sexy' rain trousers to go with my 'oh so flattering' rain jacket, so now I look like a nerdy drenched rat every time I leave the house.Because of this spectacularly soggy weather, and because it's monday, and because my metro just

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1155568337682622032006-08-14T17:10:00.000+02:002006-08-14T17:12:17.693+02:00

It's been ages since I blogged. Since I last wrote we've had a month-long heatwave where Amsterdam basked in the sun and since then a return to the more commonplace grey drizzly weather. Back in the scorching July days we took a trip out on our friends' (Ton and Alice) boat around the lovely Amsterdam canals, taking in the City from a different angle. We sailed out to the North where there was a

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1149500209370321872006-06-05T11:20:00.000+02:002006-06-05T11:36:49.396+02:00

Yesterday evening (after we went dancing at a beach party in Bloemendaal) I was the the designated 'Bob' .This title comes from the Dutch advertising campaign to prevent drink-driving. The idea is that 'Bob blijft fris' (Bob stays fresh) and drives all his drunk companions home after a night out. I guess the female equivalent is Bobette or Bobientje or something.This sounds like a simple task,

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1143830321764192922006-03-31T20:24:00.000+02:002006-05-13T10:08:28.656+02:00

I'm going through a bit of a couch-potato phase at the moment, which is okay until I realise that I've been sat infront of a Korean film with Dutch subtitles for the past two hours and have no comprehension of what the hell is going on. Time to go read a book.I am enjoying my second literary childhood. I am re-discovering my love of Roald Dahl, but this time I read the stories to Peter in Dutch.

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1143746943629510352006-03-30T21:13:00.000+02:002006-03-30T21:29:03.686+02:00

My trousers got run over by a train today.I was busy running along the platform, hoping to catch the metro that was about to pull away when I was suddenly aware of people shouting 'Mevrouw! Mevrouw!!' at me.I turned to see that my backpack had opened and my various belongings (dirty gym kit, old newspapers, woolley hat, etc etc.) were strewn the entire length of the platform. Embarrassed, I

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1142779667224019412006-03-19T15:13:00.000+01:002006-03-19T15:52:30.946+01:00

After a seemingly endless drive yesterday we're back home from the mountains for the last time this season. We had a great week staying in a little village called Oz en Oisans, nestled just under Alpe D'Huez, in a really lovely apartment(Chalet de Neiges). So much snow had fallen in the days before we arrived that we had plenty of great powder to play in and we couldn't believe our luck with the

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1139216169786348492006-02-06T09:29:00.000+01:002006-03-19T15:12:21.723+01:00

So what's been happening recently?After three years of working together, my colleague Lisa left last week to start a new career in recruitment in the financial sector in London. It was all pretty sudden, one minute she was a gym manager in Amsterdam and the next minute she's going to be a head-hunter in the City with a swanky new pad in town. She's done really well and I'm proud of her! Working

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1137928890080428212006-01-22T12:08:00.000+01:002006-03-19T15:12:44.166+01:00

I think me and Peter are developing a serious addiction to snowboarding. We got back from Kirchberg (Austria) last monday and started surfing the web for some bargain wintersports breaks before we'd even unpacked our bags. This isn't the cheapest hobby in the world to become addicted to, or the most practical one (alas, Holland doesn't provide many mountains).Kirchberg was lots of fun!

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1136280743400571032006-01-03T10:30:00.000+01:002006-01-03T10:32:23.410+01:00

I'm in the UK meeting my little nephew Oscar for the first time.He is so adorable!!

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1135966355822053352005-12-30T19:04:00.000+01:002005-12-30T19:18:26.433+01:00

Bob has to be seen to be believed. Could it be that behind this young 'talent' there's a fantastically pushy showbiz mum, determined to cultivate the next Andre Hazes?

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1135602626939538142005-12-26T14:05:00.000+01:002005-12-26T14:10:26.953+01:00

Christmas Dinner 2005

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1135513312229169792005-12-25T13:03:00.000+01:002005-12-25T13:21:52.263+01:00

Joy to the World!Santa spread a little of his Christmas magic yesterday by dropping a pile of glistening pasnips at THREE of the Albert Cuyp market stalls. My mission is now complete and I can die a happy woman. Who needs expensive gifts at Christmas eh?The root-vegetable-induced celebrations didn't last for long however, as Peter has been called into work (some emergency technical failure) and

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1135161290679478212005-12-21T11:13:00.000+01:002005-12-21T11:34:50.703+01:00

As far as I can see, the Dutch are pretty-much into their root vegetables. Offer a Dutchman a nice turnip, carrot or beetroot and his face will light up with joy. So why can't a poor English girl find a few humble parsnips for her Christmas dinner? I traipsed round many-a market stall and shop last year but my search was fruitless (or should I say vegetable-less, ha ha).Due to an extremely

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1134721260780354022005-12-16T09:03:00.000+01:002005-12-25T13:02:39.050+01:00

My brave sis has made me an auntie! I'm so proud of her!Little Oscar entered this world at some un-godly hour this morning, a few days ahead of his due date (Christmas Eve). He obviously wanted to be here in time to hang his little stocking by the fireplace. I'm very glad he's appeared early, because Christmas Eve is a crappy birthday to have! I think I must have been having (sympathy) kittens,

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1134131151716127142005-12-09T12:03:00.000+01:002005-12-27T08:53:41.876+01:00

Thanks to the lovely people at Go-Go tours, Peter and I enjoyed a three days in the mountains last weekend. Yippeee.. a chance to try out my new gear on real slopes (Les Deux Alpes in France).Going snowboarding on the first week of the season is a bit of a gamble. Peter was checking out the webcams a couple of weeks ago and was disgruntled to notice that it looked like a scene from 'The Sound of

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1133335296736607862005-11-30T08:19:00.000+01:002005-11-30T09:06:34.533+01:00

We're off to the mountains tomorrow!! Looks like we're going to have to wrap up warm....

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1132565305870807172005-11-21T09:28:00.000+01:002005-11-21T10:31:46.540+01:00

On Friday night I was woken around 2am by the sound of an angry mob rioting outside. My initial panic was soon over when I remembered that we received a letter informing us that the snackbar on the corner of our street was to become a temporary film set for the night. When I read the film summary of 'Nachtrit' (which translates as 'Night Ride') a few days before I didn't quite prepare for a

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1132304939420749542005-11-12T10:01:00.000+01:002005-11-20T15:22:46.503+01:00

On 5th November (when all the Brits were busy burning things and gawping at airborne explosives) the Amsterdammers were busy indulging in a bit of museum hopping.The 8th annual Museum Night was taking place. For the price of an all-in ticket of a few Euros participants get to visit practically every museum or institution in the City (42 in all) between 7pm and 2am. Each venue organises something

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1129537158561646352005-10-16T18:21:00.000+02:002005-10-17T11:27:37.743+02:00

It has been marathon day in Amsterdam, with the annual race snaking through the City. The chance to run through the falling leaves on a crisp Autumn morning under a fabulous blue sky was certainly inviting, but I definitely didn't want to run 42km for the privilege. Luckily there were other options for mere mortals like myself - and I signed up for a nice little 10km, which meant I was home lying

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1129205999429525072005-10-13T14:18:00.000+02:002005-10-13T21:58:40.720+02:00

According to the web, there is a legend that the Belgian city of Antwerp gets its name from the Dutch for ‘Hand throwing’ (hand werpen).The story goes that in years gone by a mean old giant controlled the bend in the river Scheldt where Antwerp lies. He demanded that all passing ships paid him a heavy toll. Those failing to pay would have their hands chopped off. A Roman soldier called Silvius

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1127329432993095372005-09-21T19:52:00.000+02:002005-09-26T22:34:32.236+02:00

I'm walking again normally now.For those of you who don't remember me going on about it the last time around, the Dam tot Damloop is an annual ten mile road race between Amsterdam and nearby Zaandam. However, 'nearby' isn't the word that springs to mind when you're running there. In fact, to a plod-along runner like me, it seems like an awful long way.This year I was busy (not) training (enough)

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1127332705224070462005-09-20T21:47:00.000+02:002005-09-21T22:29:31.330+02:00

Artis de Partis is the star of an advertising campaign for Artis - the City zoo of Amsterdam.I'm his biggest fan. Peter came home very late the other night clutching a carrier bag. Imagine my joy when I discover he'd nipped into the zoo shop earlier and bought me my own personal ADP! Artis had been out clubbing with him that evening, but survived intact. He now sits on my bed, mournfully

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1126376731263090852005-09-10T20:21:00.000+02:002005-09-16T10:13:32.153+02:00

Congratulations to Peter's sisters Madeleine and Esther on the arrival of their new babies! Madeleine and Dave's lovely baby daughter Lisa Zoe Van Pelt arrived on 6th September, shortly followed on the 11th by Esther and Ed's little cutie Kjell.I'm going to have to work on my babysitting skills because something tells me I'm going to need them soon. My twin sister and her husband Neil are

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1126363079674463152005-09-10T16:06:00.000+02:002005-09-10T16:44:51.860+02:00

As I lie awake early in the mornings feeling the bed shake underneath me and watching the light-fitting swing to and fro above my head, I daydream about the beaches of Portugal. They're starting to build a block of apartments opposite us and the process of 6.30am pile-driving for the foundations isn't doing much to create a serene atmosphere at Govert Flinckstraat.We've been back from sunny

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1126364927975876572005-08-27T16:55:00.000+02:002005-09-11T13:53:13.486+02:00

When we decided to book a work outing to the Wet 'n Wild water centre in Alphen aan de Rijn I didn't really think through the implications of being towed at high speed around a lake on the end of a bit of wire. It wasn't until we arrived and saw the previous group trying it out that I began to grow a little nervous. Wasn't that a little fast for beginners?!The evening was pretty chilly and I

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1123421485034552852005-08-07T15:18:00.000+02:002005-08-07T15:36:33.696+02:00

Bbrrrrrr.... August? What August?Luckily the persistent rain and October-style temperatures that have hit Amsterdam recently didn't stop the annual Gay Pride canal parade taking place yesterday. We arrived early and reserved ourselves a canal-side view on the Prinsengracht, but by the time the parade started to float by our fingers and toes were numb and we'd been soaked twice. The guys on the

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1122314730427856782005-07-20T19:51:00.000+02:002005-07-27T19:38:22.680+02:00

What's paintballing?Well, you're sent out into the woods with a bunch of people dressed up in combat gear, to crawl around in the bushes and try to fire as many little hard pellets of paint out of a semi-automatic at each other as possible. On a recent works outing we got the chance to try it out. Yippeee! I was a little nervous to say the least, having been warned by numerous people in advance

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1120850116049417842005-07-08T20:51:00.000+02:002005-07-08T22:55:12.923+02:00

I've recently acquired some new Dutch vocabulary which I'm quite impressed with:1. 'Potlood-Venter' - Flasher (literally - pencil salesman)2. 'Stofzuiger' - Vacuum Cleaner (literally - dust sucker)3. 'Houd je smoel' - 'Shut your Face' (literally - 'Hold your mug')I'm not sure that these would be useful in an emergency situation, but I quite like them.My Dutch is still pretty terrible, by the way,

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1120727354287305562005-07-06T22:50:00.000+02:002005-07-08T15:49:49.756+02:00

Take my advice, unless you actually LIKE the idea of walking like a cowboy for the first few days of your holiday, avoid knocking hot tea all over your lap during your outward flight. My lack of hand-eye co-ordination in a confined space is a recipe for disaster. Luckily this turned out to be a minor blip during an otherwise extremely pleasant week that we spent in the Czech Republic.We landed in

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1115295425411085522005-05-05T13:59:00.000+02:002005-05-08T13:48:59.206+02:00

A few weeks ago, a duck with seemingly limited parenting skills decided to make her nest in the central island of the ornamental ponds at the front of the building where Peter and I work. These ponds look pretty but aren't really designed to house wildlife. The problem is that they have a metal lip running round the edge which seem almost custom-built to prevent anything with little legs hopping

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1115063607975480822005-05-02T21:33:00.000+02:002005-05-02T21:53:27.976+02:00

Last Saturday was Queen's Day. There was all the usual madness taking place in Amsterdam - hordes of orange-clad people suddenly filled the city, looking for the opportunity to buy junk from a pavement store, drink copious biertjes or to wear a very silly inflatable crown. This year I found myself in Vondelpark having a lovely time amongst the Queen's Day Children.I'm sure if you're six years old

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1114251301702757972005-04-23T12:02:00.000+02:002005-04-23T12:16:49.050+02:00

I know that Queen's Day is coming up and that residents of the Netherlands are looking at ways of showing their patriotism, but trying to copy the Queen's haircut......isn't really what I had it mind.After a disastrous visit to the hairdresser this week I ended up looking like this......All I need is a crown and I'd be laughing. Luckily it was just the way he decided to style it (and I use 'style

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1112558899386862012005-04-03T21:44:00.000+02:002005-05-02T10:02:44.046+02:00

We've been enjoying the first blissfully warm weekend of the year. At last, we can shed the ski jackets and woolly gloves in favour of short sleeves and sunglasses. The backdoor can stay open during the day to let a delicious warm breeze through the house (plus next door's plucky cat) and the garden is now an inviting place to sit with a book and a cup of tea. The bustling terraces of the Pijp

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1110006351144950292005-03-05T07:58:00.000+01:002005-03-05T08:07:26.163+01:00

I snapped this earlier this week at the Albert Cuyp market.Translation: Place no bikes here please.

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1110005641838824302005-03-04T07:52:00.000+01:002005-03-05T08:11:48.750+01:00

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1109752798712976382005-03-02T09:38:00.000+01:002005-03-05T07:57:18.570+01:00

Look at my garden this morning!

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1109496022222155622005-02-27T10:18:00.000+01:002005-02-27T10:20:22.223+01:00

Look at how my garden looks this morning!Perhaps they switched off the under-floor heating last night!

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1109413759782439112005-02-26T11:03:00.000+01:002005-02-26T11:29:19.783+01:00

I love snow. It must be a throwback to childhood or something, but as soon as I see a few white flakes drift by the window I'm compelled to sit with my nose pressed up against the glass for hours, just watching. Even better, I love the crunch of it under my feet.Sadly, snow in Amsterdam just doesn't work like that. No matter how cold it gets and regardless of how many fat flakes fall, they seem

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1108121431521733422005-02-11T11:41:00.000+01:002005-02-26T11:35:02.253+01:00

Me and my colleague Lisa organised a long weekend trip to Valloire in the French Alps for 44 colleagues last month. Peter joined us, and as it was his first winter sports holiday he decided to prepare for the trip by tackling a long-overdue ambition - learning to snowboard. I (for my sins) decided to join him. Having always skied, I previously saw snowboarders as those annoying people who cut you

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1097766076569872242004-10-14T16:44:00.000+02:002005-02-11T11:40:17.150+01:00

Well, it's been nearly half a year since I posted anything, so what have I been doing?The truth is, I'm a lazy bugger. Possibly the most lazy fitness instructor in the world. Ah the irony! I'm trying unsuccessfully to resist the lure of the sofa. On far too many evenings I get in from the cold and dark and there it is - my trusty siren friend, complete with a pile of little cushions, two or three

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1094543912473277772004-09-07T09:44:00.000+02:002005-03-02T10:14:11.213+01:00

I have two whole blissful weeks leave from work and, against the odds and after weeks of pouring rain, the sun is shining and it looks like it's going to stay that way for quite a while yet. Yesterday I bought my first pair of roller blades so it's definitely going to be a Vondelpark day today. All in all, yesterday was a day of bargains. I was bracing myself for a hefty bill in the skate shop

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1094025849481520312004-08-31T21:30:00.000+02:002004-09-01T10:04:09.483+02:00

We can stay!! A few days ago we got the happy news that we can stay in our apartment. At last, a whole year's uninterrupted contract! I am very glad that those bloody moving boxes don't have to be packed/unpacked again. The mere sight of a cardboard box makes me break out in a cold sweat these days. Mum has been over for the weekend, enjoying the sites and sounds of the Pijp and covering herself

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1092678408070386442004-08-16T21:37:00.000+02:002004-09-01T10:06:00.923+02:00

My twin sister (Claire) and her husband (Neil) flew in at the weekend to be dragged around Amsterdam for a couple of days. We sent them back to Schiphol on Sunday night with grazed elbows from roller blading round Vondelpark and bruised bottoms from having to sit on the back of our bikes. Unfortunately all the cycle hire shops had signs outside saying 'Sorry - No More Bikes' (a peak-season

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1092073739029525922004-08-09T21:47:00.000+02:002005-02-26T12:36:05.600+01:00

Another weekend has, unfortunately, turned into a Monday, which is a shame considering the sun is still shining over Amsterdam. As always, the weekend was over far too quickly. On Saturday it was the Gay Pride canal procession – one of Amsterdam’s more colourful annual events. We cycled to the banks of the Prinsengracht to watch various amusing sights float past before our eyes. Highlights for me

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1091608477269021542004-08-04T10:32:00.000+02:002004-08-04T10:34:37.270+02:00

Peter discovered the baby spiders last night and I'm afraid to report that they have now taken up residence in the hoover bag. I just hope that they don't suffer from dust allergies.

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1091520704357249792004-08-03T10:09:00.000+02:002004-08-03T10:14:43.570+02:00

The sun is shining gloriously over Holland and it looks like summer is here at last after months of drizzle. I'm sitting here enjoying a late breakfast (late shift today) of scrambled eggs and watching a mummy spider guard her 50 miniscule baby spiders on our apartment wall. I don't have the heart to evict them. The place is becoming more like a zoo every day. We had a fun weekend enjoying the

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1091204030122219142004-07-31T10:00:00.000+02:002004-07-31T10:04:47.696+02:00

When I first moved into the new apartment my upstairs neighbours (Olivier and Solveen) sent me a message saying 'welcome to a little bit of Paradise in Amsterdam' and I can see what they mean. Good apartments in my price range are like gold dust in Amsterdam; unless you’re one of those lucky people who can afford to cough up a few thousand Euro a month for a swanky canal-side pad you normally

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1086944907347464902004-07-28T10:58:00.000+02:002004-07-30T17:48:28.466+02:00

I know, I know.... It's inexcusable. I am a naughty blogger and promise to do better in the future. I have left my blog in my virtual attic recently, but have now been up to retrieve it, blow off the dust and start up again. This morning I recieved an email from Brasil asking what happened to my blog (a much needed kick up the backside - thanks Andrew!). The shock of realising that people

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1082359807701714432004-04-19T09:30:00.000+02:002004-04-19T09:34:40.716+02:00

All over Amsterdam you see these little red paaltjes (poles). Their phallic shape makes Japanese tourists giggle. Their main function, I guess, is to stop cars getting into the many bike-only places in the City. Their secondary function seems to be a handy shin-wrecker for airheads like me who don't look where they're going. There I was, happily cycling along in my usual dream world when

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1081846842870873872004-04-13T11:00:00.000+02:002004-04-13T11:03:32.856+02:00

It's been so great to have the four day Easter break from work this weekend. Time to catch up on two of my favourite things... sleeping and eating. On Friday we went to Blijdorp ('Happy Village'), which is actually a 'Happy Zoo' in Rotterdam. Highlights included watching the seals swim underwater in the glass-sided tank, the baby gorilla playing chase with its mum, the miniature monkeys with

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1081416008467350852004-04-08T11:20:00.000+02:002004-04-08T11:36:35.733+02:00

My twin sister Claire is getting married soon in the UK, so I flew over to London for her hen weekend a couple of weeks ago. Claire gave me strict instructions when we were organising activities: 'no strippers and nothing too embarrassing...'. I'm not sure whether this request extended to wandering around London dressed in a green poncho made from a garden refuse sack covered with paper daisies

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1081415470455514462004-04-08T11:11:00.000+02:002004-04-08T11:36:46.263+02:00

OK, I know! I haven't blogged for AGES, and now I'm getting round to it there seems to be so much to tell I don't know where to start. Life is still hunky dory in Old Amsterdam! I'm jogging alongside the Dutchman very comfortably these days, finding my feet and trying to get my life organised at last. During my first year here in Holland I've managed to dis-engage my brain and go into 'holiday

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1077820748068808552004-02-26T19:39:00.000+01:002004-02-26T19:41:10.920+01:00

Last night Amsterdam was covered with crispy white snow - you know the kind - the sort that makes a delicious 'crunch' when you tread on it. When I woke this morning the sky was perfectly blue, the air was crisp and the birds were singing. I almost felt like I'd been transported to the Alps, minus a few key mountains. Just when you think the city can't get any more picturesque, along comes

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1076832599183201202004-02-15T09:09:00.002+01:002004-02-15T09:11:51.013+01:00

The most bizarre thing happened to me last night. I was just climbing off my bike In Munt Plein and I caught a glimpse of a familiar face. What are the odds of bumping into your English cousin (Julien) in the middle of Amsterdam? Unknown to me, he was here spending a romantic Valentine’s weekend with his girlfriend.

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1076832574160471902004-02-15T09:09:00.001+01:002004-02-15T09:11:26.013+01:00

My friend Gareth gave me a warning about trying to snag a Dutchman… he said ‘the trouble is, Lucy… their legs are so long that they are very hard to catch’. What words of wisdom! To cut a long story short, the running training must have paid off because I managed to catch up with a very long-legged example, lose him temporarily (on a particularly difficult bend in the road) and then (by summoning

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1076832545534235582004-02-15T09:09:00.000+01:002004-02-15T09:10:57.373+01:00

I am now teaching lunchtime dance classes at work. This feels a little bit strange…like my ‘old’ and ‘new’ lives are suddenly crossing over, but it is so good to be dancing again! The break has done wonders because I’m learning to really appreciate the magic that happens in my muscles and bones (and brain) when I leap around the room like an idiot. It gives me an exercise high that I just don’t

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1076832518278459622004-02-15T09:08:00.001+01:002004-02-15T09:10:30.123+01:00

Alice and Ton return at the end of March so I’m going to have to be on the move again. It’s been so wonderful living in their place that I wasn’t relishing the prospect of trying to replace it, but my ‘lucky apartment fairy’ seems to have waved her magic wand once more. Another friend from work is off traveling and is considering letting me stay in his lovely studio apartment, not far from where

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1076832480918536812004-02-15T09:08:00.000+01:002004-02-15T09:09:52.780+01:00

It’s been far too long since I wrote a blog entry. I have a few excuses for this (other than pure laziness). My mind has been brimming full of various things, namely…

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1074416733809654052004-01-18T10:05:00.000+01:002004-01-24T12:15:29.950+01:00

I think that 2004 is the year in which Amsterdam begins to truly feel like 'home'. We had such fantastic weather last summer and I was worried at the time that this place would start to lose some of its charms as they colder winter days set in. Luckily I was wrong. I seem to become more and more fond of the place as the months go by. Sure, I'm looking forward to the time when I'll be able to

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1072688695087703762003-12-28T22:03:00.000+01:002005-02-26T11:51:48.933+01:00

Ik ben nu retourner a Pays Bas from France. This is an example of Frederlandish, a new language I've been developing based on my confusion between Dutch, English and French. My rusty school French seems to have merged with my woefully inadequate Dutch to create a horrible linguistic mess. However, it hasn't stopped me from undertaking an epic (OK, perhaps not epic) single handed journey to and

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1071828065255050902003-12-19T11:01:00.000+01:002003-12-29T15:42:08.966+01:00

I'm feeling stupidly excited at the moment. Tomorrow morning I leave for France. I'm heading for the Alps to meet my family for a little Christmas skiing. I hope my rusty ski legs will remember what to do, as it's been 3 or 4 years since I've been anywhere near the slopes. I am definitely dreaming of a White Christmas this year! Happy Christmas to everyone (if there's anyone out there who still

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1071505243897680122003-12-15T17:20:00.000+01:002004-01-06T09:16:25.653+01:00

I've had a great couple of weeks living as Ton and Alice's 'lodger', but as I waved them off on their travels yesterday afternoon I became the sole resident of their lovely apartment (with the exception of the two cats, Koe and Yoda!). They have a long journey ahead of them - Ton went off armed with nicotine patches to stop the 'cold turkey' effect on their lengthy non-smoking flight. I guess

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5715919.post-1070466650569124982003-11-30T23:00:00.000+01:002003-12-15T17:07:23.810+01:00

The move was a success.. everything fitted into the car, my appalling navigational skills didn't let us down and we found our way into the city without a hitch. I am finally an Amsterdam resident! I was very excited to take a walk out this evening. It was great to walk round the corner and see the lights glinting on the Amstel, knowing that it is now 'my neighbourhood'! Once the boxes had been

Lucyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01343366497725817563noreply@blogger.com0