Geo: 40.749, -73.9916We are an hour later this morning!!!!0500hrs - we glug down coffee and some "honey nut loops" that Cathy purchased last night in Duane Reade - just off Broadway and 30th Street..... some 5 minutes "hobble" from out Hotel.Last night we were "cream crackered" and in desperate search of a small Italian (eatery that is!). Failure.....loads of Delicatessens and Crispy Creme type "street food" stuff. It was suggested by Cathy we go to a self service - tempers failed and grumpy words were spoken!!!! You don't put on a decent pair of "Saturday Night Fever Trousers" and then have to queue up for chicken fritters in a joint full of sweaty tourists and out of work Mexican hustlers!!!Fortunately, we found a decent Brasserie serving quirky meat dishes and locally produced single filter Long Island ... read more

Geo: 40.7486, -73.9913Time check: 0455 LHR - Arora Hotel Room 217 - up and at em! Power shower followed by a precautionary Ibuprofen.Cab - Mr Singh (who listens to Radio Punjab) is bang on time at 0600hrs to take us to T3. Check in Virgin Airlines. The check in girl "Lisa" whose fake nails were nearly falling off her looked tired but "experienced".We trundle through security expecting every battery to be tested. Instead my pack was swabbed for explosives.WELCOME TO THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF "CLAYTONS"!!!In New Zealand a "Claytons" is a non alcoholic drink made to think you are having a real drink. A bit like Calibre in the 1980s'....of the "it's great man fame""A Drink when you are not really having a drink"At the moment, we are sitting in a "Claytons Business Class Lounge" courtesy ... read more

Geo: 52.373, 4.88312Update: Burp!! What a fantastic meal last night! The Deer and Tiger Indonesian Restaurant is the best. No mucking around here.....we headed for the top of the range all inclusive blow out multi platter comprising of about 14 dishes. Lamb curry, egg do dah, prawn satay, fish curry, chicken fritters to name but few all washed down with a glass of local beer.The downside of this indulgence being a restless night swigging water to counteract the shrimp chilli sauce!Mission: Up a little later than normal but full of enthusiasm. Today we will cover the whole of Amsterdam City Centre and soak up as much as the tour guide can offer. Despite last nights vast repast we manage a light breakfast.....Feet: Slightly puffy but still working. Clothing faux pas! Cathy spotted I has been wearing ... read more

Geo: 52.3741, 4.88673Time check: 0602 local. CET. Just thinking about unpacking "mini SHREK" our hand cranked coffee bean grinder specially imported from Japan. Coffee in Japan must be at a premium as it grinds each bean personally and takes about 20 mins of hard wrist action to produce enough.Summary:Consternation at T5 abounded when our flight was just posted as "wait in lounge" as every one before and after was "last calling". Cathy went for a "chat" with INFORMATION to put on the pressure. Meanwhile, various smart young pilot types strolled past.....is it too late for me to retrain me thinks.......turning a shade of green.All our worries evaporated as our little A319 ripped down Runway 09R and arrived 5 mins ahead of schedule into a bright and sunny Schipol. En route, we were fortified by a bag ... read more

Geo: 51.3307, -0.2700591004hrs Well here we are again on a mini adventure to Lille - only 1 hrs 30 ins from St Pancras to Lille (Gare TGV). Whoop whoop!We have left "Kiwi Steve" in charge of the dogs "home alone" He seems very competent and he and his wife "June" are over from NZ on an extended sebatacle. Nagging worry that he is already rummaging through Cathy makeup drawer or worse........A trip of this size can lead one into a false sense of security. Paaaah! Only 2 nights and only Europe (barely). Already, I have forgotten to pack my "brouges", caffetiere and have no back up smart socks incase of a formal meeting scenario! Other minor lapses include:-10:50hrs: Arrive St Pancras International. Cathy gets stuck through the disabled ticket flipper barrier at Vauxhall. It must have ... read more