Sydney to Veldhoven

Following an invitation to work as a Vugraph commentator at the World Bridge Championships in Veldhoven I had to research exactly where Veldhoven is located. It is a suburb of Eindhoven and 140kms South of Amsterdam.

Thursday night I board my A380 Emirates 14+ hour flight to Amsterdam via Dubai. After my usual shuffling of seats I manage four seats to myself across the middle of the plane. As the seatbelt sign went off I lay down to a beautiful nine hour sleep. The beauty of the A380 is that it is possible to lay flat and not be able to reach the other end of the row, such is the spaciousness. Also the armrests have been designed not to stick into your body when put upright. For the rest of the trip I watch some of my TV Shows and arrive in Dubai in reasonable shape.

I have my usual Crab Bisque at the seafood restaurant and relax with my computer while I wait out my three hour connection time. I board my 777, another comfortable aeroplane and the best I could manage was an end seat in the middle with the two middle seats empty.

I sleep for two hours and watch my entertainment for the balance of the 7 hour flight arriving in Amsterdam in so-so shape. I find the meeting point and wait 1.5 hours for the 90 minute bus ride which will take me to Veldhoven.

I arrive at the check-in and am greeted by Kathy and Peter Buchen. I had researched the 500+ venue "hotel" which is a conference centre located on very large grounds and noticed comments about room sizes, single beds and other shortcomings so as I am checking in I ask what bed the room has to be told single. Anyway long story short after much consternation, head shaking and tut-tutting I get a "cell" with a double bed. The room actually isn't that bad but basic with no drawers so I guess the double bed was a good idea to store my clothes on at least.

http://www.nh-hotels.com/nh/en/hotels/the-netherlands/eindhoven/nh-conf.-centre-koningshof.html

I am guessing when the best they can do when you click on standard room is show this picture then it says it all



I freshen up as I calculate it has been 33 hours since I left home and, after a Skype call with Michael Cornell who is here as well, I join the Klingers, Buchens and Richmans for a buffet dinner which at E27.50 was just OK but at least the company was good. I am told that the restaurants in town are excellent although Ron did say order the tomato soup not the chicken and don't order the steak so we'll see.

Have run into many bridge playing friends and people I know - notice the differentiation - some good to see some simply to acknowledge. 

Apparently I have been listed as Assistant Bulletin Editor in the program but the VuGraph organiser explained he has paid the transfer fee to have me moved to VuGraph Commentary.

Off to bed where I wake up at 05:00 and sit here and write this blog.

Anyway all is good hope the Aussies can beat the All Blacks but it will be hard.

Love to All
David