2011 was an odd year. I’ve been bouncing back and forth to my hometown for fifteen years, moving away then moving back in ever-decreasing circles, but until last year I’d always stayed in the UK. And yet, to claim that our move to Amsterdam in April was something of a big deal is put to… [read more]

  Finally the scaffolding and coverings have been (mostly) removed from the new Stedelijk Museum at the south-west end of Museumplein, and the new building is looking pretty impressive. Like so much modern Dutch architecture it is big on counterweighted overhanging parts (see for example the various hotels and things up near the central library),… [read more]

Last Sunday it was Amsterdam’s annual Sinterklaas parade, when the Saint and his ‘helpers’ arrive on the boat from Spain and parade through the streets of Amsterdam distributing sweets and biscuits to the children lining the route. As Nicholas is the patron saint of the city (as well as children and sailors) there is an… [read more]

I cycled past the #OccupyMuseumplein “protest” this morning; looks like they have a ways to go before they reach the scale of #OccupyWallStreet or #OccupyRome…