16,500 Steps

That's right we walked for 6 hours or as Simon's pedometer read 16,500 steps.  We walked until our feet were rejecting our own bodies.
Was it worth it?
Yes!!!
Would I do it again?
Not anytime soon.
Once again I am blessed with friendships I cherish. Laura, Claire and her husband Simon and I went to Amsterdam for just one day.  We could not possibly see everything but we managed to see the Body Worlds Exhibit, which I have wanted to see for years and never had the opportunity.  I have learned that we don't need to rush all the things we want to do in our lives.  The opportunity will present itself when the time is right.  I loved being able to share this with these three.
From there we walked through the "red light district" which was not as shocking as it could have been later in the day.  We went on to the Stedelijk Museum with contemporary art. And then we visited the floating flower market.
We enjoyed two nights on board the P&O ferry/ship "Pride of Hull" where the seas were very choppy on the night we left and more agreeable on the evening of our return.
I find it so amazing that Amsterdam could be considered a day trip.  As a Canadian most of us would never think of visiting Holland let alone for the day.  I am going to miss having Europe on my doorstep.  Most of all I am going to miss my friends.

Laura, Me, Claire and Simon. I decided to indulge in an alcoholic beverage, an electric Iced tea.  It was supposed to be double the spirits but I think they forgot that part.

Bunk beds and not enough room to swing a cat.

Those are cheese wheels in the windows.

In the red light district.

Wonky windows are common.

Inside the Rijk Museum, we did not stay.

We are in the shot above, filling our faces with what else, hot dogs.  When you only have such a short amount of time you need to have food that travels well, and since it is impossible to find a decent hot dog in Grimsby, Claire and I took the opportunity when it arose.

Claire and Simon outside the Stedelijk Museum.

So the story behind this is… we know someone who has a haircut that resembles a triangle and others call him Dorrito head.  Not kind but clever and funny and it causes a spontaneous reaction when we think about it. So we began to see "Dorrito head's" in various locations.  On the street and in art galleries.  And yes it caused that internal, juvenile reaction know as giggling.

Art in the form of chocolate, I WANT!

Dried flowers at the market.

Tulips only 10 Euro for 50.

Thanks for the great time ladies, and Simon we would have been lost without you(literally) I'm glad to have this chance to know you all a bit better.

Prelude

I need to write this post because tomorrow I am off to Amsterdam with Claire and Laura from work and I just know there would be too many pictures if I include my last week.

Last weekend my friend Cath along with her boyfriend Paul and friend Holly took me on a walk from Walesby to Tealby(4mi).

Left to right Cath, Holly and Paul…. you know me.

This is a church in Walesby

It's lambing season, ahhhhh.

Then we did a bit of trespassing on a deserted property.  This time I was aware of the fact we were out of bounds.

A church in Tealby.

This beautiful little flower shop in Tealby was attached to their home.

We has lunch here but I'm showing you because I love the thatched roof.

Another church in Walesby

Graham took me out on Friday(Good Friday) and we travelled up from Alderby Creek through Suton on Sea, Mabelthorpe, Skidbrooke and many other sea side villages.  This is one of the few churches in England with a thatched roof.

Alderby Creek

Mablethorpe, the weather was a delightful 12 degrees and sunny.

How is this for a curiosity shop.  The isles were one way and many were dead ends.

This is "the most haunted church in England" in Skidbrooke.  I am hoping to go back with the camera club for an evening of painting with light (photography) before I leave.

Then today, Easter Monday, Graham and I went to Burghley House near Stamford.

We stopped at Rutland nature reserve but I swear it was about 2 degrees and winds of about 60mi/hr, Storm Kate roared through the country the previous evening and morning.

A quaint church on the lake.

Then we made our way to Oakham.

I love the old buildings.

How would you like to be remembered for being short?

Oh well, at least he had a cute house.

I am so blessed to have a friends like Cath and Graham.  They love to show me this country.  I know that I have seem more than most thanks to their generosity.

So tomorrow Amsterdam.  I can't wait to have this time with these lovely women.