Bitterballen

We are here in Amsterdam and having checked in early we set out to explore. I have visited before (3 times) but daughter Grace hasn't. She had found that the best place for interesting and independent shops (like the ones we find in Bristol) was an area known as the 9 streets. The streets run between the three canal rings over 3 blocks.
Low and behold our hotel is right at the top of one of them on Prinsengracht, I can report that we have investigated all of them! ( They are quite short.)

We then headed to the Bloemenmarkt and the Rembrandstplein area to look for a restaurant for tonight. We found a recommended Indonesian one as we want to have Rijstafel but they couldn't fit us in until 9.00 pm.

So walking back to the hotel we stopped for a beer and snack. The menu said Bitterballen was a perfect accompaniment to local beer. I'm having a wheat beer and Grace an IPA both brewed in Amsterdam and the waitress said the deep fried croquettes were an Amsterdam institution and we must have them. So we did and with a little mustard I can happily say they were delicious!

Warm and sunny now after an on and off cloudy morning but according to one shopkeeper it's set to get hot tomorrow. In more ways than one I think. We didn't know when we booked this short break that this weekend is Euro Pride in the city.
Lots of preparations going and and rainbow/pink flags flying.
It should get very interesting.

Our canal side location in the extra - spot Grace's 'space balls'!