Choose any title.... Silver wedding treat / eye follow-up / Enough already!

[2b1ask1]

So as a bit of a treat for our 25th wedding anniverary yesterday I'm off to Amsterdam in the morning with Jeanette in the Maserati; all booked up ferry from Dover / Calais and a blast up from there; nice hotel booked and Champagne on ice already!

I was sorting the car out this morning and checked the tyre pressures and my nearside front outer edge is borderline thin and I'm a bit jumpy at the expected speeds and mileage so I went to see my tyre man....

This was my first return since leaving with my 'Terminator' eye last month! Really I only wanted a second opinion and a new one on order for my return. Nope as soon as he saw me they lift the Mas up and scrutinize all four tyres, say you couldn't possibly chance that but he hadn't got a new one available today, off comes the wheel a nearly new tyre goes on, ballanced and the car was brought inside and given a five wheel tracking!

He then refused to take any payment again!

Enough already.... Whilst everyone loves a freeby my eye really wasn't that bad and there has been no lasting damage. I am now left in a predicament, what to do?

 

[marcos]

A second hand tyre for free? I think take it and be grateful, just something he doesn't have to dispose of now! They were lucky you didn't sue and they know it.

 

[dem maser]

In this recession we in newton id take the freebie but id still go back get him something as a thank you, flowers for the wife or box of chocs??

 

[BennyD]

Newton, I would accept his generosity with reluctance and good grace. The fact he has still got your custom will pay him dividends in the future. Although, IMO, a nice bottle of something wouldn't go amiss either.

 

[Emtee]

Although, IMO, a nice bottle of something wouldn't go amiss either.

Optrex?

(Sorry Newton, couldn't resist)

Seriously through, it has to be your call, but for me, you were VERY lucky, as it could easily have been FAR worse. He's doing the right thing and recognizing that he's indebted to you, but as Marcos says it's only a used tyre that he happened to have lying around, so not really a grand gesture.

 

[dem maser]

Did you book a hotel in amsterdam that has parking??
Ive been many times and noticed that parking is worse than london

 

[2b1ask1]

Thanks all...

Yes this one was a second hand / nearly new has a good 5-6mm all over which is considerably more than the last one had. I think I'll go down the route of a box of dutch beer maybe! I went to school witha lad who took over his dad's tyre shop at 19 so for years had total loyalty to him but about 6 years ago he sold up and the new guy was tight as the proverbial... I tried to find a good alternative for a couple of years and Jeanette needed a tyre on the people carrier whilst I was in China for 3 weeks and this guy had one... been using him ever since; now I'm getting his best discount for life it seems! Mind you in three years we have had around 8 Aygo tyres, 2 Corsa, 3 Discovery 60/40's and 12+ for the Partner (just eats them)... and now 1 for the Mas...

Dem, staying at the RitZ got valet parking - that should be a laugh... Veir eis der geer shtik?

Any 'coffee house' recommendations anyone?

 

[Parisien]

Newton........I bet when you drove onto the forecourt..a slight cold sweat set in.........

As regards a "Coffee house"...the Dutch are thinking very strongly of restricting access to their famed CHs......for obvious reasons........

Hope you get through customs without having the boot inspected.........

Enjoy!


P

 

[2b1ask1]

With the car parked up for 48 hours I may replace the Maserati smile with an innane one... May brighten up the innevitable drag round the museums and Anne Frank house... Put a different slant on 'stary, stary night in the Van Gogh gallery!

 

[dem maser]

You have to try barneys newton....
Barneys have loads in amsterdam but the best one is barneys farm.....
It has the best music & we stay there all day playing cards & smoking....
Or try the "bluebird".....put it this way you will find loads so dont worry but those are the best......stay away from banana bar......

 

[reservoirfrog]

......stay away from banana bar......

the banana bar
come on Dem.....theres a story here......do tell........we're all friends here & we wont tell your missus

Is the bulldog still open ? or the head shop ?

 

[dem maser]

Never been in rob, ive seem who comes out!!
The bulldog is still there, its a hotel also......

 

[ENZ525]

Lots of nice restaurants in the residential quarter...
Toscanini on Lindengracht and casa di David in Singel were 2 of my favorite Italians...

 

[dem maser]

yes enzo, singel is def a nicer part of dam.......
also i like rembrandt square.........

 

[ENZ525]

I stayed at the Pulitzer on Prinsengracht (very near Anne Franks) whilst working there in 2003/2004

 

[2b1ask1]

Got the hotel name wrong it was Savoy not Ritz.... Don't think there was any connection with London Savoy but pleasent enough and 4* Amsterdam style (not large rooms - ever)... Didn't do the Valet parking as I got in the first bay next to the hotel so just bought ticket for first evening and a 24 hour for Friday...

Had a super time with Champagne and some excellent dining, Turkish, Thai and local....!

All very last minute but would go again any time for sure, had a super drive up, from Calais, went coastal to Oostend, Hoek through a 5 mile tunnel to Middelburg and round the coast to Breezand where we stopped for lunch; the most amazing beach where we got our feet wet and caught some rays

We then Island hopped up the coast to Den Haag before a blast into Amsterdam...

Top photo is a - 'Where's WALLY'?

 

[dem maser]

Lovely newton, happy you enjoyed

 

[Parisien]

Very nice Newton, a lovely way to holiday in the love of your life........getting onto some nice roads, bonus of a tunnel and then opening her up.....fab!!!!


P

 

[2b1ask1]

Very nice Newton, a lovely way to holiday in the love of your life........getting onto some nice roads, bonus of a tunnel and then opening her up.....fab!!!!

Yes Frank and the car was great too!!!!

Actually I really enjoyed the run back this morning, picked up a big beemer as a pace car for 20 miles or so from Utrecht to Breda, Stopped in Belgium where we pulled off the motorway into a tiny village and found the bakery, bought some lovely Belgium pastries and stuff, drove out the back of the village and found this lovely cobbled road... I think this is the best picture of my car yet!

 

[Parisien]

.....poetry........................................in a still pic.........................


P