Goodbye to sunshine and canals

Our last day in Amsterdam was even warmer than the first two, I hope that I have stored up all of the sunshine to see me through the Scottish winter! We went for a walk along canals and quaint little side streets, including the area near our hotel called The Nine Streets. After a refreshing drink in a café we hopped onto a boat for a canal tour. The tour was ok although a bit impersonal because rather than chat to us, the driver just played us a recording about the highlights as we passed them. It was however relaxing and not too crowded which meant that I could move around to different seats as the boat wound through the canals, so that I was shaded from the direct sunlight and felt quite cool. We had our lunch sitting outside at the Spanier & Van Twist café which was appropriate as we had our Friday evening meal there too. I will always think of it fondly as our Amsterdam "local"! 

Back at the hotel we had coffee and got changed ready for our homeward journey. The coffee was "on the house" which I thought was a really nice gesture - it sums up the atmosphere of the Toren hotel. The rooms are really nice but the friendliness and helpfulness of the staff is what made it special for me. It has been a great weekend with great friends.