June 8 2007 Amsterdam, Hain

Trip to Amsterdam, Labour aspirants

Back after two days in Amsterdam. Wild place. Went to look at the multi-media newsroom at De Volkskrants, Holland's third-biggest daily newspaper.
Had an hour (literally) to look round town but was suitably gobsmacked by how up-front and huge the sex industry actually is.
Impressed though, by the way they have made their waterfront (rivers, canals) absolutely integral within their retail and leisure offering.
Liverpool's grand plans are to do much the same thing and when it comes off it works brilliantly.
Sat in a bar in the hot sun having a cold drink and marvelling at the surroundings while waiting for a train to the airport.
'I wonder if I can get someone to text me some Test match updates.' I mused.
How sad is that? In the sex capital of the world and I'm worrying about the cricket scores. Middle age never felt so damning.

Nice to hear Peter Hain's voice on Radio Merseyside this morning as he visits Liverpool to state his case for the Labour deputy leadership.
Got to know him reasonably well when I was in Wales and he's an incredibly shrewd politician but a genuinely humorous guy too. He is happy to hear voices other than his own. Politicians who listen are usually the best ones.
He may end up as Prime Minister. His South African background will always be an issue for him but he is a huge talent,

Came back on the flight from Amsterdam with a raging throat infection. Feel dreadful. Lynne gave me throat spray which after a few squirts only seemed to be making me feel worse.

I had a close look at the bottle this morning. She's given me sinus spray by mistake.

What chance have I got?