amsterdam

amsterdam

11 May 2011

I'm pretty excited because it's just 5 weeks now until I fly to Amsterdam to attend a conference followed by a holiday in Europe. I'll be in Amsterdam for 6 days then I'll be spending time in Edinburgh, London, Paris and Berlin as well as 10 days in Croatia. Last year some of my very kind readers offered suggestions for things to see and do when I was in Helsinki and I'd love it if you could help me again. This week, let's start with Amsterdam.



Although I've been to Amsterdam before, it was many years ago and in the midst of winter. I do have Pia's book to guide me but if you have any ideas for some summery things to do and suggestions for places to eat I'd love to hear them and no, to my great shame I do not know how to ride a bike. Please email me with your suggestions or if you prefer, you can post a comment in the comments section.

Next week I'll be asking for up to the minute suggestions for both Edinburgh and London so please put on your thinking caps for me. 

P.S There is a full brownie post on the blog that some of my Google readers would have missed.

See you all again on Friday,

Jillian

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six degrees of pia jane

six degrees of pia jane

4 May 2011

Do you know the game Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon? Well I think I may have discovered my own version at Ariel Books on Friday night at the launch of Pia Jane Bijkerk's book, My Heart Wanders.

It was the evening of the Royal Wedding and it was an awfully wet night but undaunted, quite a throng gathered for some bubbles and a chance to meet Pia.

The lovely Pia.



Quite a queue formed for Pia to sign copies of her book, My Heart Wanders.



Champagne flowed and goodies were served by 2 charming French boys.

Once the speeches were over we left Ariel for some dinner at our favourite fish cafe, seacow. We recognised 2 of the ladies who'd been at the book launch and stopped for a chat. This is where I discovered the 6 degrees of Pia Jane Bijkerk.

I discovered Pia's blog about 18 months ago. She showed photos of Kylie Johnson's ceramics on her blog and I purchased some items online. When I learned Kylie was soming to Sydney Finders Keepers last year, I decided to visit. Kyle was a delight and when I asked if I could take photos of Paperboat Press, she agreed. From those photos I was asked to photograph Sydney Finders Keepers summer markets, where I photographed the elkhorn store run by Monique and her mother. How funny that I should connect with them through Pia?

Congratulations to Pia on the launch of her book. If Friday night was anything to go by, the book should be a raging success.

Bye for now,

Jillian

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amsterdam here I come

amsterdam here I come

28 Jan 2011

Guess where I'm going in June?



You guessed it, Amsterdam. It's been a long time since my last visit to Amsterdam so I bought Pia's book for a bit of inspiration. 

I'll be there for a week in June attending a conference followed by 4 weeks visiting London, Paris, Berlin and Croatia. I've not been to Berlin or Croatia before so I'm really looking forward to the holiday part of the trip. So far the only part of the trip that's booked is my stay in Amsterdam, so if you have any suggestions for things to see and do and places to eat in Amsterdam I'm all ears.

Have yourselves a lovely little weekend,

Jillian

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