We set our alarm to get up earlier today so that we can take advantage of the free breakfast. In the end we snooze the alarm and make it down with 10 minutes left to spare. What greets us is the best breakfast selection I've seen (well certainly that we've seen based on our usual budget and choice of hotel). They have a huge selection of different cheeses, cold meats and bread- and not the supermarket own brand either. The bread is deliciously light and fluffy, not dry and tasteless. They also have hot options (very unusual in Europe) of eggs, bacon and sausages, and then a huge fruit platter with melon, watermelon, oranges, apples, strawberries and pears. And on top of that they have yoghurts of all flavours and a selection of fresh pastries. The ... read more

The Sun is trying to breakthrough today and it’s actually quite mild. Still no need for flip flops just quite yet, much to Greg’s dismay. Breakfast is included in the price of our stay, so I am curious to see what this could possibly consist of. It consists of the following: Value while bread, communal jam and butter and Lidl mini cupcakes. Oh, and a coffee pot too, sheer luxury. We have to wait our turn as it’s only a small area and it’s really busy, so we decide to sit in the foyer until it gets a bit quieter. Whilst we are waiting, our local jake appears and eyes us briefly. He then takes off his hat, and while still looking at us, stakes claim to the remaining free seat by placing his hat onto ... read more

At last I'm a dab hand at navigating subways after having managed to find our way around and survive at least 4 other different countries subway systems, all of which were in another language, so the London Underground should be like a breeze. We cook Jason some breakfast to say thankyou for putting us up then head out into the big bad world to do some sightseeing. Our metro line intercepts with the centre of the city, but for now we’re heading a bit further out of town to the sight of the 2012 Olympic stadium. The station and surrounding shops have all been recently done up so the area is really nice looking, but no sign of the stadium. We wander around for a bit before asking someone who points us in the right direction. ... read more

Our alarm is set to go off at 10 this morning, but it's nearly half 11 by the time we can be bothered to get out of bed. Amsterdam isn't that big though, so we should have plenty of time to see everything. We find a nice little delicatessen up one of the side streets in the centre of town where we order a chicken sandwich each (mine with chilli sauce, tomato and cheese and Greg’s with sate sauce, just in case you were wondering) which are delicious and cheap (always the magic word). Hunger satisfied, we go into tourist mode and wander along the cobbled streets and canals taking pictures. It's such a weird mix of people here, lots of tourists and normal looking people going about their daily business, interspersed with prostitutes, dodgy street ... read more

We try to get up at a reasonable time today as we have lots to see. We manage to get up and out for 11am (early enough for us!), but unfortunately spend the next 40 minutes trying to buy a train ticket, as the machine won't accept our visa card, and when we decide to chance it and go onto the train without one, we spot the train inspectors on the train and bottle it. So we have to go back outside and search for a cash machine which we eventually find, but not after a mini heated 'discussion' that nearly results in us going nowhere (that’s what happens when you spend 14 full day and nights with someone). You’d think we were pros at using subways in foreign countries by now, but clearly not. Our ... read more