My Amsterdam Wishlist for Summer 2014

I can't believe I missed two seasons of wishlists. I was full of golden promise back in the  autumn  of last year, and then... nothing. I'm sorry

I suppose it's more accurate to say I actually missed blogging about a Winter and a Spring Wishlist for Amsterdam. I didn't actually miss having a wishlist. I always have a wishlist. In many ways, I think life is nothing but one long never-ending wishlist. And I mean that as philosophically or as blandly as you'd like to read it.

So, there was this Autumn Wishlist of things I wanted to do in Amsterdam and now here are the things I look forward to doing this summer in Amsterdam:

Taste what's on offer at Dappermarkt.

Play "Midgetgolf" at Amstelpark. (Yes, the Dutch word for "mini-golf" also threw me when I first saw it!)

Find a rooftop bar for sundowners and views. (This view is from the cafe at the top of the public library near Centraal Station.) Try pickled herring. (No, I've still not done that yet. And yes, I am a bit scared.)

Go on late night bike rides around  Vondelpark .

Hire a boat for the afternoon.

Spend a sunny afternoon by the water at Pllek . Go on an Eating Amsterdam food tour of Jordaan.

Pedal our way through the canals; not on a bike, but on a pedalo. (Nope, didn't do that in the Autumn either!)

Meet new friends in new coffee shops. Enjoy a drink (or three) in Biertuin.

Go for a swim in Zuidbad... or if it's really sunny enough Flevopark.

And take my nephew to paddle in the shallow bathing water in Westerpark.

Replicate this day . Swim in the Amstel. (Maybe!)

Go say hi to the animals at Artis Zoo.

Enjoy more BBQs on our "massive deck". (Much more amusing if read in a Kiwi accent.)

And take photos of the view from the top of our neighbours' house. Cycle out to the coast again. Maybe Bloemendaal this time.

Watch a film at Rialto cinema. (Another one that didn't get done. Useless!)

Enjoy complete evening runs along the canals I love. And last but not least, I hope to take a little time to simply sit by that water and remember how lucky I am to live here.