Netherlands Stories


September 13th

Today is the day I travel back, “R” will take me to the airport later in the morning. But first I need to try to squeeze my belongings, along with the tobacco and gifts into my case, not an easy task. “R” must have woken up in time as by 10.45 he was helping to tidy around my accommodation. Ritchie knocked on the door to see that all was well and to ...


September 12th

“R” had to call into his work briefly so I went along to just to see where he worked. From there we headed to his flat so he could pick up his election information, there was a General Election today. I was introduced to his cat Kitty. The polling station was just around the corner from his flat in an old people’s complex. Once he had cast his vote ...


September 11th

“R” has had to go into work again today, so time for some more exploring. “R” had mentioned that it may be possible to get even cheaper tobacco near to where he used to work, a shopping area at Osdorp. I had to catch a No17 tram from Central Station and get off when I saw a lake. Fortunately, by now, I was feeling more confident about using public tr...


September 10th

“R” was working today, so I knew I would be on my own until his work day was over. No point sheltering in the accommodation, it was time to take my trusty shoulder bag on a walk around the city. I began by following the route taken by the tram the previous night. So from the accommodation I turned left towards Frederiksplein and across the bit of par...