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June 18, 2016: SCHIPHOL AIRPORT is huge (moving sidewalks and long walkways everywhere), somewhat frustrating as you navigate from check in, through security, past hundreds of shops (representing ever major brand in the world), to your gate. The toy store on the ground floor is even more fun as the design includes actual airplane parts. Security was visible and invisible. Atmosphere and service — for an airport — very travel friendly. And new “innovation” security lanes (currently being tested in the US by Delta in Atlanta) can move 30% more passengers faster through screening lines.

June 17, 2016: If you find your self with a quick overnight flight layover in Amsterdam, treat your self to a hotel in Hoofddorpsch — just 15 minutes from Schiphol Airport.  Neat shops to explore and variety of international dining options — all with in walking distance of several hotels.  Easy too to join the locals for a bike ride too.

June 16, 2016: Found this — The Slingshot — in a small residential neighborhood near Amsterdam’s massive Schiphol Airport. Riders are suspended in a round glass cabin and then pulled side to side — with the cabin spinning — like a slingshot.  One way to beat airport traffic.

June 15, 2016: You can’t pass through Amsterdam without shopping for Legos and enjoying French fries served in a paper cup — usually with a mayonnaise dip.

June 14, 2016: Well this is a new one — not sure a paid holiday — but the Hendrick’s Gin folks have managed to take on US responsibilities to promote National Cucumber Day today — 44 days of events leading up the grand finale Cucumber Outdoor Festival and Party in New York. For more information — and some fun — call 844-Q-Cumber and visit: CUCUMBERDAY.COM. By the way, before you ask, the Cucumber is considered a fruit and not a vegetable like mom always said. Balderdash as the Scott’s would say.

June 13, 2016: Talk about creative use of limited space, check out these houses — yes, actually extended inside a carved out solid rock wall — does take affordable housing to a new level?

June 12, 2016: Exploring small towns and villages in the British countryside is fun — and full of surprises. “Greater Knaresborough,” just a few kilometers east of Harrogate, offers a variety of old country settings. From the stone railroad bridge on the river (with a selection of Pubs and parks along the sides) to a castle on the hillside overlooking and protecting the town in ancient times — it’s all very British and charming!

June 11, 2016: Good fun when one travels walking around small towns, observing shops and signs. FAT FACE, a shop in downtown Harrogate, Britain, features fairly “reveling” and trendy women’s clothing — I think?

June 10, 2016: Hard-to-find York farm settings offer surprises worth finding. Like this late 1920s restored Rolls Royce — similar to  those featured in Downton Abby. The York area, and towns surrounding Ripon, is the setting described in Abby, with the main mansion and filming at a location in the south of Britain — which is just fine with folks in York! Carry on.