Days 671-676, 4-9 Apr '16, Cuyp, Tulips, Birks, dry run on metro, Vondelpark, burgers, babysitter, Cirque de Soleil's "Amaluna", upgrade, Friday Nieuwmarket/Waterlooplein, Saturday Noorderkerk/Nieuwmarkt and Ten Kate Market.

Having museum-marathoned ourselves into the ground over the last couple of weeks, this was 'rest week'. Of course with a few notable exceptions. We hit the ground dawdling on Monday and did very little. Awesome! Tuesday it was off to Albert Cuyp Market where we did some shoe investment. Could well be called shoe shopping by some, but we found an outlet shop for Birkenstocks next to the market. Having bought a pair for me in Athens and loved them into submission for the next 3 months, we've now bought a pair for James. We do so much walking and they are just so kind to feet. Not that they will get much of a wear until Langkawi in May - but we are getting ourselves into the tropical Summer-mindset. We cleaned out our vases on Monday - so Tuesday we bought 100 tulips at the Albert Cuyp - a bargain 50 purples for €2 (yes... less than a coffee) and an inexpensive 50 creamy/pinks for €6 - ended up filling 3 vases! Wednesday we were walking our usual haunts and then decided to try out the metro. Months ago we got some cheapie tix to Cirque de Soleil for Thursday the 7th - it's outside of town next to the Amsterdam Arena (least expensive under the big top for €35 each). So on Wednesday we jumped on the metro for a dry run out to Strandvliet and found the Grand Chapiteau / Big Top. Our weekly transport passes include the metro so actually just free entertainment and will make the outing stress free on the night. Thursday dawned cold - much colder than it has been lately. We took Luca to Vondelpark for a long walk in the brisk air - our breath was coming in clouds. There were loads of daffodils, fountains and other dogs roaming about. We made a return visit to The Uptown Meatclub just nearby for lunch - another Groupon coupon deal. It was much busier than the first time we visited - so it looks like the Groupon marketing campaign is working. Next stop after lunch was the babysitter. The what?! That's right - Luca's babysitter as we can't leave the wee man alone without the neighbours going barking mad. Lovely lady and we had a coffee and a natter. Home for a nanna-nap then at 6 pm we headed off to the Big Top - very, very excited. We found our seats in the best part of the least expensive section and had no sooner sat down than one of the ushers asked our section of 3 rows if we wanted better seats... well d'oh! Yes please! So we filed out and end up in the 100% central, super view of the stage, premium section (where tickets cost €120 each...) Wow! Lucky too - it was a brilliant acrobatic show with a live band doing the music but quite a forward-facing show as well - so we enjoyed it all the more for being right in front. There was even a VIP sitting in front of us. Must have been world-famous in The Netherlands - perhaps soccer? Lots of people stopped by for selfies with him and he had to leave after intermission. We also had important places to be and raced back to the city immediately after the show to collect Luca from his Aunty by 10.30 pm. Home for a very late pizza and red wine dinner. Friday (quite late in the morning) we tootled to Nieuwmarkt then on to the flea market at Waterlooplein for a rat through the summer clothes on the €1 table. Moderate success with a nice cotton top (see - really thinking of a tropical summer already). Today, Saturday, we did compulsory shopping at Ten Kate Markt and picked up muesli, rocket and bananas - vital supplies. Then, a week late, we finally made it to the Saturday market at Noorderkerk/Noordermarkt (pictured). Excellent little market with lots of cheese samples... quite vital by 2 pm. Home for lunch and eventually home made burgers for dinner. Five sleeps 'til Ireland... what's left this week? Keukenhof for the tulips which should be open by now (the tulips not the display). Packing (yay...), perhaps a castle and definitely a final Groupon dinner at Restaurant Plancius. Booked fashionably early at 5.30 pm, to allow one final stroll around Amsterdam's canals and lights.