A Little of The Spices of Life: A weekend in Holland

Went to visit John where he's back for another course and it was great fun. Very nice to have a break of some description. Airport security is now worse than ever before, I didn't want to check in so I had to pack my toiletries in a clear plastic bag and they had to be less than 100ml.

Got to Schippol and then took a train to Rijswijk, a suburb off the Hague. Friday I went to Delft, and spent a nice day wandering around there.

Started off at the Vermeer Center, learning all about the great Dutch painter, whom I was introduced to by Sarah!

Then walked along to the Old Church, beautiful inside

Then walked around the Pisenhof where it was very very weird. They had old Masters in great grand frames in the same room with a lot of contemporary art. Took me a while to realise there was a theme to each room. There was a room where there was war pictures and there were other modern art installations with a war theme. It amused me for a while, took about 5 or 6 galleries before I stopped laughing at it. Well curated though.

An unusual bench outside the museum

Then walked along to Royal Delft, went along their little tour and learn all about how they make quality high class ceramics. They had "The Night Watch" on tiles, which is remarkably impressive seeing how hard it is to make it!

Then fell in love with what I call my Fish plate, it's gorgeous. Bought it so I am now owner of Royal Delftware. YAY!

Saturday morning, went to Amsterdam with John and visited the Rjiksmuseum, saw the work of the great Dutch masters, it was great!

Then instead of another museum, we decided to go and do the Heineken experience, which was fun and involved drinking beer. I can cope with drinking of beer.

It wasn't me that was being silly!!!

Then we walked around for a bit before dinner

Then went back to the Hague

Sunday was a random chilled out day, which I enjoyed immensely.

We decided we wanted to look for the International War Crimes tribunal, it's just located in a small quiet building and found out there are public galleries for the trials, very exciting.