Did I catch my cold in Amsterdam or did the kids give it to me when I got back?! Either way, it’s snotsville here at the minute and I’m not sure if I can coherently conjure up words. If you would like to see what happened this weekend then please come, come on a virtual tour of my one of my favourite cities (I’ve been to Amsterdam four times!!). I will bung up pictures and see what I can do! Beware, many pictures of wool skeins will appear at some point and then it’s back to the tour via some phone pics.
I love Amsterdam, it’s friendly, it’s easy and it’s fun. The architecture always blows me away, the canals too. The last time I went was ten years ago and what I didn’t realise then is that it is a city full of young and beautiful people. I didn’t quite feel old this time but if you’re not quick on your feet then tram/bicycle squashing seems pretty inevitable. I don’t recall feeling panicky before, but this time round my brain wasn’t quick enough to feel casual about crossing roads. I didn’t think to get a photo of the crazy crisscross of multiple lanes for cars, bikes and trams.
The weather was mostly good. On our last day it was glorious sunshine. The day before was overcast and we didn’t mind a bit of rain. There was no need for a real coat or anything.
Upon arrival the first thing I made everyone do was visit Stephen and Penelope’s. It’s the “home” of knitwear designer Stephen West and someone not called Penelope. I dragged seven other people on my mission for wool. I felt marginally guilty; not a single one of those people was remotely interested in this pilgrimage but it was alright cos we went for beer straight after. I had to take lots of photos because it would have been taking the Mick to spend too much time in situ. Oh, crikey I wanted to buy it all. I went in having already decided to at least come out with a tote bag. They didn’t have any left and that made me sad. So I spent 5 Euro on a teeny drawstring bag instead. And two skeins of souvenir dutch yarn to squish.
Undercover Otter is a yarn actually from Amsterdam, you can’t get more souveniry than that! I’ve got plans for this yarn but have no idea when I’ll get the time to make anything (certainly not for the next couple of weeks whilst the kids are off school).
Being a dweeb.
Look at what I missed here?! Right next door to Stephen and Penelope’s is a gorgeous looking fabric shop! I didn’t take this pic until the next day (when it was closed, boo). In all the yarny excitement I was blind to all else. Gutted. Anyone know where I can buy geo patterned fabric? What makes me cross is that it was all so bargainous, I missed out on bargains!
We spent half a day in the Rijksmuseum. Yes, it’s pretty impressive but my back ached far too much to give a stuff by the end of floor two. Look, I have a degree in Art History but even I thought it all looked the blinkin’ same. Floor three should have been my favourite but I hardly saw any of it. By that time I’d given up.
Highlights of the museum included Petronella Oortman’s dollhouse. No one was looking at the painting of it (see above) but everyone was clamouring to get a look at the real deal. I was interested to see it because I’ve just read The Miniaturist (it was OK, not as amazing as I was lead to believe). The Miniaturist is set in 17th century Amsterdam and was inspired by this very dollhouse. Not sure how the real Petronella would have felt about someone making up a fanciful story about her though. Also, there was the other “must see” that is Rembrandt’s The Night Watch. We kept calling it The Night’s Watch and wondering where Jon Snow was. Hilarious.
We walked all over the city. People’s fitbits confirmed well over twenty thousand steps per day. Fitbits! We all loved the Albert Cuyp market. Loads of great stalls. Wool, fabric and food. I was very happy.
Amsterdam’s night life is notorious and you really shouldn’t miss out on it. It is a marvel to walk the streets and see with your own eyes. Sadly, pictures taken in the dark, on my phone after a few beers; I didn’t get anything to even come close to capturing the true nutjobness of the red light district. You have to see it for yourself. The city’s lights at night are stunning too. The canals are lit up, it’s magic!
A fab way of seeing the city is a trip on a barge. We did this on our last morning, with the sun out and jumpers off. I learned loads about the history of the place and it was a good accompaniment to The Miniaturist. We chugged down the Herengracht (where all the mega rich people used to live) and around the Golden Bend. There are certain sights you can only see here by boat and I think it’s essential if you’re after a touristy excursion. It was just the right thing to end the break on. Thoroughly enjoyed it!
Sounds like a great weekend! Great pictures!
It was! Thank you. x
I have fond memories of my trip to Amsterdam with my eldest. Shame about the fabric:( Next time! Lovely pics.
I remember you went! I hope my kids will be happy for me to tag along if they ever want to go!
That yarn shop looks like heaven! So many nice skeins to squidge! Looks like you had a great time. (I went to Amsterdam for a day trip during a family holiday to Holland, I was 16 and utterly mortified that my parents got us lost and we went through the red light district… One of my brothers was only 5! Now I would probably find it funny to take my own 5yr old there!! Such a bad parent…. ☺️ )
Haha! Red light district holiday with the parents, that’s brilliant. I dunno though, I can just imagine the questions. “What’s that funny smell Mummy?!” and we spotted a few daytime puking incidents from folks that couldn’t handle themselves…:D
What a lovely trip!! That yarn shoppe is magnificent!! Hope you feel better soon! 😀
Thank you! Just relieved I didn’t have the cold when I was there!
Aw loved reading this Rosina! Great pictures too. I was there way back in my twenties & ahem cough cough it was fecking great craic !
Loving the pictures of the yarn like OMG & the fabric the fabric !!!!!!!
Happy memories I’d love to go back …. maybe someday 🙂
Thank you! Say no more!!
I want to go back just for those two shops. Love it.
Fantastic blog post Rosina! Loved your virtual tour. 🙂 🙂 I’m half Dutch and my mother comes from Amsterdam so I have visited many times but perhaps not doing the obvious tourist things.
We’re going again in the summer and oh my word I’m going to HAVE to visit that yarn shop- it looks amazing!! 🙂 🙂 Thanks for sharing… 🙂 🙂
Thank you so much! I’d love to live there. Or at least be able to go regularly. Maybe you could try some touristy things, it might be funny! Yes, you must visit the yarn shop. I found another one too but I can’t remember where it was. You’ll have to write about blog post about your visit too. xx
I will Rosina… 🙂 🙂 xx
I’m sooooo jealous! I went to Amsterdam recently on a business trip but my work booked my hotel 1.5 hours away from the centre, I had planned on visiting Stephen and Penelope’s too, thank you for sharing the photos, looks like you had an amazing time
Oh boo, that’s not fair! Maybe your work knew that you’d run away to yarn shops if they booked you in any where closer!
I think they knew for sure! Instead I was stuck in a hotel in the middle of nowhere, Stephen and Penelope’s looks amazing!
Oooooh, yarn! And some other stuff too… All the ingredients of a great weekend away! I actually love that painting of the doll’s house too, it’s pretty creepy!
Most dolls in general are creepy! This dolls house was fascinating, and huge!
Yeah, I go nuts for all that miniature stuff… It’s great for getting new ideas for Beastie accessories 😀
Beastie needs a house!!
Haha! YES!! 😀
Yep, I love Amsterdam, too and have been several times. Luckily, my husband’s new firm is Dutch and based in Amsterdam and I get to go with him sometimes. I never noticed a fabric shop next door to Stephen and Penelope’s though! Like you, I was too awestruck by the sheer fabulousness of the yarns I had just spent at least an hour stroking….
I’m going to have to find a job with an office in Amsterdam!! I didn’t notice the fabric shop the first time either but one of my friends said about it after we’d walked away… There were also a couple of fabric shops where the Albert Cuyp market it. I did buy fabric there!
I loved every second of this tour, thank you, not been to Amsterdam for a while, time to have a word with myself. Enjoy the Easter hols.
Oh good! Thank you too. x
How fabulous! Thanks for the tour – Amsterdam is now on my “to visit” list!
Glad you enjoyed it!! It’s a great place.
Looks like you had a brilliant time. Reading your post makes me want to go there. Those skeins!
I did! Loved all that yarn.