I would recommend catching the bus direct from the airport to the city. They go every 10 minutes and it's really cheap and drops off at all the major plazas. The train is a little more tricky from the airport as it stops at the city limit and then you have to transfer to the underground. But it's still cheap and easy.

All public transport can be paid for using a universal transport ticket. You can get them from the underground stations. Don't know what the new prices are but I paid leass than 10Eur for and 10 trip ticket.

Taxis are set to tariff's based on the time. Although they are better than taxis in Amsterdam. You can still get stung sometimes. My recommendation, just be firm and clear and don't get out of the cab until all has been finalised. It worked for me, but then lady luck always shines.

There are some people who could be described as doggy lovers. I am not. I like dogs, I even love dogs, but the dogs I like and love are normal sized dogs. I'm also a firm believer that if you live in the space of a shoe-box on a major city road. Then it's not the best place to keep doggys.

Holland is a place famous for dog poop on the street. But I've never seen the authorities here resort to paying for actual anti-dog poop adverts. These are not small. No, they're slapped on the length of the buses. It's clearly so much of a problem even the officials are prepared to admit it.

Learn Spanish! I can't stress this enough. Not everyone speaks or wants to speak English. It can't help to know some basics and at least look to be making an effort.

The story of Alex Li Tandem and his struggle to survive friendships, family, life and love. Some say he has an obsession with Kitty Alexandra...other refer to him as an avid collector who never made it big.

This week we have the habitual herfst raam decoraties!!! Anything remotely harvest festivally gets shunted into a window display of any Dutch home worth it's salt.

I decided I should integrate and joined this year with a hearty selection of heather and conkers. I also received a gift from my neighbour which had no other place in my home...

Can you believe they don't know the game conkers?
What do they collect them for?

Anyway, enjoy the selection. It won't be long before these are all changed for Sinta Klaas deco.

The choice is amazing, and beautifully prepared.

We started with Chicken Teriyaki, fish balls (which looked like tubes) with shitake mushrooms.
Then came the range of Sushi

The Nigiri Sushi is 1 to a portion, rice on the inside, seaweed on the outside
Maki Sushi is 4 to a portion, rice on the outside, seaweed and filling on the inside or vice versa
Handrolls/Temakis are the Japenese version if an icecream cone (quite large)

damn there's just too many to remember!?!

Various fillings from Fresh/Raw tuna/makrel, smoked salmon, water shrimp, avocado, cucumber. . . blah blah
I'm told the Green Tea was super nice, preferred the Sake myself. They had a rather impressive Sake dispenser (according to mule, this years must have luxury item!)

The price is 'all-in' at €15.50 per person (excluding drinks)
Arrive early (12noon) to avoid disapointment (open until 17.30)

SUMO - Schouwburgplein 11 — Rotterdam
map (Via Michellin)
5 minutes from Rotterdam Centraal Station, head for the square with the big red crane lights and the Pathe Cinema, and you'll see it at the back. (look for the sumo wrestler eating a bowl of food)

Dotted with intermittent rain, I think most people were in high spirits and up for a good giggle.

Quality routines from the Amsterdam GAYSWIM team, whose sychronised dancing to 'From LA to NewYork" has made it this years top hit!!!.. QUALITY MOVES!!.. see video.. NEWYORK2LA.MPG LINK (3MB mpg)

Best dressed float in my opinion was the Pink Fluffy Cavemen with their plastic bums and the attention to detail!

Most impressive float?.... well it speaks for itself. Like the sox and heels :o)

see you next year!!!

Apparently there are five novels. All of which have managed to evade me. I do enjoy reading but when classmates we're reading the complete Shakespeare. I was reading string theory.LOL, no really!

It gets off to a slow start and pitifully grinds to a halt. Nothing is really detailed apart from the obvious disappointment facing most of the characters as the tale unfolds.

Only one comment really: Go Bernadette!!!

Neither hot or concise,
Honestly.

Four, short, heart-felt stories verging on a book of mourning. Although this book is dedicated to the Jewish loss during WW2. I would like to think it could be applied to all those who have suffered personal loss.

For all those people who are not accounted for with the same reverance.
And lets not forget, all those who continue to suffer. It doesn't stop.

Not overly impressed, but I got the feeling I shouldn't really comment because it was true accunt of peoples lives. For that you have to the book some browny points. Not many writers can do that.

http://www.oceaan.nl/

Great atmosphere, the staff were more than accommodating, even the chefs were quick to respond to all comments.

The kitchen was open plan making it easy to see your food being prepared. I think the fishes are a speciality. Any fish dish, they all looked good. The portions were generous and the price reasonable for the quality.

Definitely respectable enough place to take relatives & posh friends. It got rave reviews in various guides. I only found this out recently, it has no bearing on my impression of the restaurant. But you might be interested.

http://travel2.nytimes.com/top/features/travel/destinations/europe/netherlands/amsterdam/restaurant_details.html?vid=1086282846947

It reads like any second now Carol-Ann is going to warn "they're coming". But there's the Hanibal element to the story.

All very promising and I certainly had the patience to read it all the way through.
The least he could have done is provide well thought-out, gritty, plausible, somewhat unexpected, CLOSure.

It's only a thin book, remember.

It's a novel, no less.

Actually as it goes, I would probably do as she does or lets face it your for the CHOP. It is incredibly romantic.

For the ladies out there, this has chocolates, candles and a tub of bubbles written all over it (VLarge glass of wine at your discretion).

It would make a great B movie.

On the other hand if you don't want to think too much, and you like a good laugh in your reading then this could be your answer to quiet time. It's also fun picking apart all the faults in the plot. Answers on a postcard to the publisher...

AKA: The nice and accurate prophecies of Agnes Nutter, Witch.

If there is a God out there, then they surely must have a sence of humour and so must everyone else involved. There is an exact and opposite equal to everything. Why wouldn't they work together for the common cause?

Fave character, had me roaring all the way through: Anthony Crowley

You'll notice I made no mention of the Filim.... good eh!

Candy Quackenbush, John Mischief, Christopher Carrion, and Mischief are to mention a few of the colourful characters cunjured up for this other dimension.

He has some handy brush work in hardback and it doesn't leave anything to the imagination, a bit of a shame. The beauty of childrens books sometimes is your own imagination.

He's already published the 2nd book to this trilogy. It could be worthwhile. Abarat: Days of Magic, Nights of War.

Still I enjoyed this book for the originality.

A take it as you want it, book. If your looking for an original story book for children then you couldn't find a better book. Yes it's gonna be a challenge cos it's bob the B...you must be joking, I'm not writting it!

I think the Irish Times review says it all.