The move to Amsterdam and farwell to David and Neil. Hi, Tracey!
The delivery of the core of the group to the Ibis at Schipol marked the end of the Hectoring. Dr Stan and Robin are the designated Amsterdam experts they would be in the lad.
Dr Stan had disappeared, Jonathan had not reappeared, the Brothers had gone to check-in at their city centre hotel. Arendsnest was calling.
With Robin at the front of our group as we left Amsterdam Centraal, he complained that he was not starting from where he wished to begin. We headed in the general direction of Arendsnest but realised that we were too far north. By this time Howard and Hector were certainly the navigators, Robin had no idea where he was going.
With geometric precision, Howard and Hector delivered Craig, Yvonne and Robin to this very fine establishment. The choice of draught Bier was vast, Christoffel Blond could not be refused. Every year at the Paisley Beer Festival this Bier makes a very brief appearance.
Governeur Blond was followed by Hertog-Jan Weizener.
Time out
Hector knew he needed food, having passed two Curry Houses he declined the move to the next planned venue the Beer Tempel. Instead, I sat peacefully, no longer in charge of the group and let them drift off into the unkown. Well Robin had no idea where he was going.
The Namaskar Curry was certainly the best Curry of the trip, so far. Time to rendezvous at In de Wildeman. Dr Stan had not been in touch, time to track him down. He was away meeting up with his Bières Sans Frontières folk. He would meet up soon.
In de Wildeman is easy to find if you know where it is. Google maps had me in the vicinity but instinct was required for the final leg. I spotted Yvonne walking purposefully along the street, alone. She didn’t see me and so was startled when I blocked her path. She was out for a special purchase, the Chaps were in an adjacent Steak House. When I made my entrance they couldn’t believe I had found them. Hector can find anything, Arendsnest, Curry Houses, In de Wildeman.
The Brothers were sitting in the window area of the back room. Breugems Blond got the party underway. We moved to alrger table and when the rest of the Chaps arrived, eventually, Robin still could not find the place, we moved to the table we had occupied last January in front of the bar.
Dr Stan
Dr Stan was directed to In de Wildeman by Craig. Time had passed. Time was lost. Where else had Dr Stan been? Indeed, was the Chap who was with us actually Dr Stan?
Craig had spotted the Flying Dog 25th Anniversary Farmhouse IPA on the board. This was to be the Bier for the rest of the evening. Who says the Americans can’t make Bier? This dry, hoppy ale was a cousin of Jaipur, but with fiz.
Tracey
Tracey was due to arrive at Schipol around 21.00. She was to be slightly delayed. Howard was in a quandary. When exactly should he leave to go out to meet her? Would Tracey want to go to the hotel straight away? Would she want to come back in to town at a time approaching when the rest of us would leave?
Hector has a deep insight into the Psyche of women
I had a wonderful solution. Jonathan had yet to show. He was at Schipol. Why does Howard not stay in the pub and fulfil his desire for more quality ale and let Jonathan meet Tracey off the plane? Sound logic. Craig and Yvonne tried to explain to me that this would not be an acceptable practice. Howard departed, he was back in a flash, or so it felt. Tracey had her luggage in tow, more homage could be paid to the magnificent Ale.
The night was finished wiht a bottle of Bamberg’s finest: Schlenkerla Marzen, well I needed a pint.
Favourite Amsterdam Bier places:
In De Wildeman, , Kolksteeg 3
‘t Arendsnest, Herengracht
Belgique, Gravenstraat 2
The Beer Temple, Nieuwezijds Voorburgwal 250.
‘t Ij Brouwerij, Funenkade 7
Gollem, Raamsteeg 4Wijnand Fockink, Pijlsteeg 31