Guest Blogger on our trip to Amsterdam/Arnhem

Well, it was less than 24 hours from Heidi's return from the States that we departed our flat and headed out for a long weekend in The Netherlands.  Two of the RCDS students (the 2 Dutchmen) had volunteered and set up a "Battlefield Tour" to Arnhem to learn about the largest airborne assault during the Second World War, and the impact that is had on the people of The Netherlands.  So needless to say, Heidi and I set out to be part of the 14 folks that experienced Planes, Trains, Automobiles and Bikes and got to see just a bit of the wonders of The Netherlands.
  We arrived in Amsterdam and took the train into the city, where hotel arrangements had been made for us to stay at the Naval Barracks.  Clean and "Ship-Shape", they weren't the Ritz, but for the price one could not complain.  We then headed out into the town and all met up for dinner at Pannekoekhuis Schaarsbergen - I made sure I spelled it right.  Dinner was great and the company was even better.

  We then explored the nightlife of Amsterdam, and even managed to see the Red Light District on the way to a bar.  A few drinks and we were off to call it a night as we had big plans for the next day.

 Heidi and Josephina sharing a pint.

 Apparently, they do come in all shapes, sizes, and colors...

Tequilla shots for all my friends....

The next stay started with a trip to Den Haag, and a visit to the Houses of Parliament.  One of the two organizers brother is a current MP, and gave up his Friday to show us around and explain Dutch politics and their view of Europe.  What a wonderful experience to have a politician talk openly and honestly about life, their thoughts, and what they see in the future.

 Our Guest MP.

 The Assembly Room.

 Dutch Brothers - Maurice and Frans.

 The old assembly room - the carpet represents the tulips, but I think the

 designer had just come from a "Coffee House"...

Group photo in the cigar room.

We then had a few hours to kill before heading to Arnhem, so Heidi and I ventured off to find lunch.  Found a great little place, and enjoyed a wonderful meal before window shopping and a cup of coffee.

 Chicken Satay.

 Heidi's Salad

 Mike's Salad

After Lunch Coffee...

Following lunch it was off in the vans to Arnhem and a briefing on Operation Market Garden, checking into our rooms at the Army base, and then off to a Dutch Pancake House for dinner.  Yes, food played a key part in our trip....

 White Asparagus Soup - a staple in The Netherlands.

 My Dutch Pancake - wow...

 A wonderful salad.

 1 of our 2 Vans.

A great night at the Pancake house...

The next day was filled with exploring the sites around Arnhem that were critical in Operation Market Garden.  From the drop zones and glider landing zones, to the sites of skirmished and attacks that occurred during the 7 day battle in 1944.  We included a trip to the Airborne Museum and learned even more, and followed that up with a 3 hour tour on bikes within the city visiting many of the critical locations of the battle.  Eric, our history specialist and battle field expert did a great job of bringing it to life.  Afterwards, we went to an Indonesian Dinner at Restaurant Kumpulan Bronbeek as well as had a chance to tour the museum that addresses the Dutch history in Indonesia.  Then it was into Arnhem for a final night at the put before heading back to Amsterdam on Sunday and our flights back to London.

 A monument at the first drop zone that we visited...

 Hearing from Eric on what happened here.

 Eric and his map.

 Group photo by one of the Glider Landing Zones.

 The Airborne Museum.

 A stop on the bike trail.

 Brothers who died at the bridge at Arnhem

 A Polish American soldier

 Dick acting crazy on the bike

 The Indonesian Museum.

 Dinner - can't wait to get to Singapore...

Our final night in Arnhem.

We spend the night at the Army base and then headed back to Amsterdam the next morning.  Our flights varied from 10:50am to 9:30 pm.  Heidi and I flew out at 9:00 pm so we had all day to explore Amsterdam.  We took a canal cruise to explore the city, and even found two museums to visit.  Then at the end of the day, it was off the airport to fly home. 

 All in all, a great weekend and one that I will always treasure with the normal author of this Blog.  Hopefully she will have something else to write about soon, and we can all enjoy her recollection.  I'm the lucky one in that I get to accompany her on most of her adventures.  Until next time she lets me, this is Mike signing off.

Home again....

It was so great to go away. But now it's great to be back. I had a wonderful time seeing everyone, and I appreciate the love. It's a real blessing to have such great family and friends.
Starting off in New Hampshire was such a treat. The girls all met up at the cabin, getting it ready to put it on the market, and we carried on in the annual tradition of jammies and cocktails. But we did venture out, down to Wolfsboro and made it an afternoon. The weather and the lake was so lovely.

Lake WInni

After a long Memorial weekend, we headed back to Iberostar Portsmouth, where the fun never stops. My lovely hostess always gives me full run of the place, and I always make good use of it.

Of course I never miss a chance to wander down into Newport, one of my favorite cities. Went out for a meal at  Yesterday's restaurant and had some great food.

calamari salad.

But then it was time to head West, for the real reason for my trip....sissy wedding! I'm so thrilled for her that she found the man of her dreams. I know she thought he wasn't out there, but he was. Isn't it always the way - you give up and there they come.
It was a great day, not too warm with a gentle breeze.The boys drove me up and we got to spend some more time together. The venue was Mark's home church of St. Mark's (tee hee) in our home town of Altadena. The attending maids and men were the kids of the bride and groom. Odie was feeling ill and while they held the ceremony for a bit, she did arrive a few minutes later.

Marcella walks in

His ring, ..it's for real then

So sweet

After much singing ( Mark is in the choir and wanted many tunes) we drifted across the pathway to the fellowship hall. There we socialized and dined on made to order tacos. And of course there was punch and wine. Our mom came out from Arkansas for the wedding, and to spend some time in the sun.

Speeches were made, lovely words shared and there was much dancing from the DJ. The cakes were laid out ready for the time when they would be cut and devoured. The bouquet was tossed. The happy couple danced with party goers...it was just right!

Dancing fools....

the very Happy Couple

Boys having too much fun

Uncle Matt sports "the hat"

cakes before

cakes to feed each other

I hated to wed and run, but we had a 2.5 hour drive home and it was getting later. Shifting from one friend to another was a hassle but at least I got to see everyone that way.  Sherri stayed up and waited for me ( so sweet) and I crashed with no trouble at all. With only two days per host, we had to cram a lot in. The next day brought the monthly Temecula wine run for her, so I and two others tagged along.

There is NO WAY I'd go home without eating at Rubios and In-n-out burger. SO while did burgers on the trip to Altadena, it was now time for the fish tacos. And the best place to get them is Rubios ( unless it's Taco Tuesday at the BRig...which it wasn't).

Morgan showed me around his workplace  and we enjoyed a fish plate for lunch. Life is good. Good food and good time with the kids.
But time was drawing to an end. Sissy was winging her way to a honeymoon in Hawaii ( yeah) and I was trying to cram everything back into my case. I really wasn't looking forward to 15 hours of travel to get home. But I was looking forward to home and hubbie. So with the marine layer rolling in over the hills, and the sun going down it, I remember the good things I love about San Diego, and prepare to come back to the place I currently live....