Arrived in the mother country safe and sound but bag still to be delivered - lost by KLM

Landed in Liverpool and had a lovely meal with the W clan! Sunny day and looking forward to exploring the old home town. Will check out the Tate and the other museums to see what is going on.

Sat next to a german fellow on the plane who was in town to interview someone and leave right away - worked in the oil industry...say no more...at least it wasn't BP.

KLM lost my bag with all the goodies for the Himalayan kids but word is its been found and is being delivered tomorrow morning.

Will see mum tomorrow and see what the scoop is!

Another day in Ghent

Spent the morning riding around on the tram and wandering in the old town. My neck hurts from looking up - so much to see and art everywhere old and new. From ancient doorways to tagged alleys there is a plethora of images bouncing around.

Will go to Antwerp for a day but I don't expect it to be more heraldic and ancient than Ghent.

Bread costs about $2 for a lovely loaf of grain filled richness and the cheese is so cheap and so good!

Went out last night for a Belgian beer and when you see me ask me about the Ghent noses...hahaha.

OudeKirk near Amsterdam

Visited this lovely village near a traditional windmill and discovered the old Jewish Cemetary. The cemetary was closed for the day but I will definitely return for a visit later in my journey.

I really enjoyed wandering around the canals and smelling the good country air only minutes from the Ajax stadium.

Stopped for a bite of lunch and had a kas broodjie (cheese roll) and a Heineken in an old pub in the centre.

People friendly in this little place and lots of trails to wander down.

I look forward to returning here.

First Day in Amsterdam

Flight was too long but watched a couple of films. Fogged in at Schipol and plane had to go to Maastricht to fuel up and go back to Amsterdam. A waiting for me and glad I finally got there but not half so glad as me. Amsterdam hasn't changed a bit!

Woke up at 3 am and of course was hungry - managed to wait until 6 and made myself a cup of jo and visited with the folks who are kind enough to continually put up with my visits!

Jet lag never gets better but after a day wandering shops and gawking I scrutinised the Hema very carefully and bought socks for the kids in SMD in Nepal. A checked out the train travel and will get train to Ghent on Sat and bus it to Paris on Monday - the savings is significant and the time an extra hour and a half but that's ok. It means 40 euros in my pocket! There is a plan afoot.

Went for a long walk after a lovely meal prepared by MR K and then wandered out past Rijksmuseum and the Heinekin Brewery and then to Tuschinski to see G. Clooney in "The American". Movie was OK - theatre as stunning as ever - bought a Grolsch and took it to my very comfy plush red seat and drank it while watching the film - civilised or what! People did not talk through the film and there were no falling down drunks.

Watching out for those darn cycists tho - they own the roads! Photos tomorrow!