O.K. Dutchies, I'm on my way around Europe with Mrs Aussie (and mini Aussie in the oven) from Sept 12, and will be passing through Amsterdam on Sept 15 and 16. Would love to catch up for a drink. Anyone free???

I'm available!

Cool Stevie. Now, how about the Roots and co.???

Ronnie & Lady Roots are still on holiday Aussie, but I've just received a text message from them, telling me that they are looking forward to this offline! I've also send an email to NDD.

Do you have a preference for a date and / or location? Wine bar, restaurant, Vondelpark, my place...

The 16th, being a Friday, would probably be a better date for you guys if you're working during the week. As for location, I'm happy to leave that up to your local knowledge. I'll be bringing a bottle of Aussie VP (a true VP style, unlike the bottle of vintage tawny that bman brought to the BBR offline), so we can consume that at some stage in the evening.

Hey Aussie - are you coming back to Blighty or do we need to hastily arrange an off-line?

We may have to do a hasty - I'll only be back for 2 days before flying back to Oz Dec 12. I finish my job at Barts on Monday (working the weekend), then have the rest of next week off. We fly to Brussels on the 12th. Should we have you and Lady B over for dinner??? Earlier in the week would be better if possible, as we will be packing up later in the week and on the weekend. What's your diary look like?

I'll check with her ladyship this evening. Should be OK next week but will get back to you.

Aussie, a Friday would indeed be preferable to me. I'd be happy to receive you both at my place for dinner and wines. I can suggest some restaurants as well, but BYO is uncommon here, and wine prices tend to be on the high side. Do you already know where you will be staying?

Haven't looked into accommodation yet Stevie, but I think we will be staying fairly central. Thank you for the kind offer of dinner at your place - that would be great.

Happy to do so, Aussie! Not sure whether you have my email; should you want to chat offline, mine is steven dot kooij at lycos dot com.

Oh, and the Roots will be back tomorrow evening, so I would expect them to chime in with there thoughts on Sunday.

Aussie - had serious trauma yesterday so early next week may be a problem. My Dad is in ITC being looked after by lots of sweet Indian anaesthetists.

He was hit on the back of the head by an articulated lorry (fortunately not fully loaded) and is looking prettty rough and out cold thanks to the gas guys and girls. He has some bleeding on the brain but the clots should be small enough to dissipate by themselves - no neuro-surgery required. Fortunately it only hit his head and nothing fragile.

Anyway, point is that we may not be able to meet up before you go, which I'm sorry about. When you get your couple of days back here then maybe we can do a ceremonial handing over of the winning bottle, if you have time.

KillerB: that's aweful news...my thoughs are with you and you dad...

Sorry news KB. Don't even think about apologising for next week - just be with your dad. It's quite normal to have a run of anaesthetic in intensive care after a head injury, and if the clots are small and he doesn't need surgery, it sounds like he'll make a good recovery. My best wishes, and I'm sure we can organise for me to pick up the English bubbly when I get back from Europe.

Thanks for the thoughts guys.

He is stable and still spark out. I haven't been to see him today as ITC is busy enough without a constant stream of KillerBs wandering through to look at a big, unconscious, geriatric cyclist. My sister was there about an hour ago and said that he looks better but was still flat on his back with lots of tubes. I've been round to his flat to sort things out, get a wash-bag and clean up. I'll go and see him tomorrow and hand over all the drugs - suspect the gasmen will want to know what he's been on.

KillerB: best wishes to your dad, I hope he makes a quick recovery.

Aussie: We'd love to offline and friday is perfect for us. Looking forward to it!

KillerB: That's very sad to hear.

Aussie: I'm ready for friday, except that I need to find some VB beer (or whatever it was called)

Sorry to hear about your Dad, KB

If you Dutch lot are smart, you'll make Aussie cook for you. As I said before, whatever his talents in medicine or elsewhere, they must pale in comparison to his talent in the kitchen.

Do you like salmon?

Of course, one or more of you may be good cooks too.....

Thanks everyone. FYI, I went to see him today and he had the anaethesia taken away. He was still traumatised but starting to come around - he can grip when asked and opened his eyes. Trouble is that he's inhaled a tooth! He now needs to go to a Thoracic surgeon to get a molar out of his lung.

Good signs KB! The tooth should be easy to get out. I've anaesthetised people for far more bizarre things than teeth in their lungs (don't ask).

And yes, Lady Roots, it was VB. Might be hard to find in Amsterdam.

A huge thank you to Stevie for a wonderful offline. A very generous host indeed. I'm currently in Hamburg gorging on wurst and bier, and heading to Malmo in Sweden tomorrow, so not much time to post tasting notes yet (I think Ronnie took extensive notes, so maybe he'll get the ball rolling???). Thanks also to Ronnie and Lady roots for a fun evening and contribution of fortified delights, and to Tsunami for sending the barrel sample of Tokaji Essenzia - holy sh!t that was amazing!!!

Aussie, the pleasure was all mine: great to meet you again, and to get to know Dalila: please know that you both are welcome to my place anytime!
Glad to hear you enjoyed the offline: I know I did. So Ronnie, where are the tasting notes?

I was just checking over here to see whther this happened. It's always fun at Stevie's place. Essenzia - jealous now

Not so impatient stevie. Some people have busy lives you know... Anyway, posted now.