ACD Forum's 4/20 Gathering 2024

[talkrum]

Fab as usual Lem. Thanks m8

[Lemming]

Sunday 21st April 2024 - Het Ballonnetje

It's a special day today because we're going to my favourite coffeeshop.

In the early days of the ACD, when the only words on the site were mine, I felt obliged to remain reasonably objective. In time, correspondent's comments and forums have added lots of other's opinions to balance mine so I feel free to say unequivocally that Het Ballonnetje has been my favourite coffeeshop since I first went there in 1988, when I was still in my 20s and a whole decade before I started the ACD. It's changed a bit over the years and so have I. It's still a great little shop though and I still love it.

Before we get there, we need breakfast and to rendezvous with the rest of the crew. The selected meeting point is Nieuwmarkt because we intend to use the metro.

Igraine and I ride a tram to Waterlooplein before switching to the metro for the last leg to Nieuwmarkt. Poco Loco is the selected eatery. Talkrum joins us for breakfast and then we wander up the road to Green Place.

[Stoned camera operator warning: After fiddling with the settings on the camera I got stoned and forgot to set them back. That's left me with a pile of severely underexposed pictures. I've adjusted some but they still look a bit weird.]


Green Place

In Green Place we find Herbie and the rest of the crew have been joined by new arrival Worsall. Looks like we have a very capable expeditionary force ready to make an assault on Ballonnetje. One member of the team, Gapie, is limping after an accident earlier.



Before we move on, Ghost applies some stickers to Green Place.



As an alternative to the usual tram to Artis Zoo, today we're going underground, so the party sets off across Nieuwmarkt and down to the metro. Minutes later we emerge at Weesperplein. There are at least three exits from this metro stop and, inevitably, we pick the wrong one. That only means another road to cross, though, and we're soon striding down Roetersstraat.


Het Ballonnetje

Inside, we get a very warm welcome from Florian and the Ballonnetje team.

I notice that the little terrarium globe has got a new partner.



We're ushered upstairs to the mezzanine followed by lovely people carrying our drinks up the spiral staircase for us.



Then our host breaks out samples of some of the shop's best strains for us to taste.





I make an attempt at photographing some of them.


Zourz


Cinnamon Milk


Day Wrecker

They're all great. As usual, I'm quickly too stoned to take any notes and have no idea which is getting me highest. I do know that the cumulative effect is very good indeed.

I'm amused by the name Day Wrecker. For no rational reason, I'm cautious of this one just because of the name. After all, if you're having a great day, do you really want it wrecked? Of course, that's silly and it's very nice really.

Florian also sorts out some nice hash for the bong.




[This pic is underexposed but looks quite dramatic so I haven't tried to correct it]



Herbie is here, of course. I don't think he's been inhaling, though, because he looks in a better state than the rest of us.

Our Dude65 and Florian are deep in conversation. I'm very impressed that they're speaking in English rather than their native German so as not to exclude the rest of us. Very thoughtful. Nice people.

Florian mentions that he used to run The Noon before taking over here. I begin to reminisce about how correspondents to the ACD and forum used to rave about the Noon's Blueberry. His eyes open wide and he looks at me waiting for more. Then I realise I'm too stoned to continue the conversation. He saves me by talking about White Balloon, which he says has some similarities to Noon Blueberry.


By Florian

After over 3 hours of enjoying Ballonnetje's amazing hospitality, it's time to move on and leave them in peace. Thanks again Ballonnetje.

A couple of tram rides take us to Marnixplein, from where we walk down Westerstraat to Spirit.


Spirit



We're here particularly for Ghost's pinball championship.

The AC/DC machine is chosen because it almost says ACD.


Balls are shot and paddles flipped.



Trad is cheered on by Sammysarahh



There are some big numbers clocking up



We're becoming more concerned about Gapie's injury, it's clearly quite serious. He can barely walk but is determined to soldier on.

From Spirit, some set off on foot while the rest of us catch a tram to Rozengracht. Here we're surrounded by Sound Garden, Funky Munkey and 1e Hulp but the consensus is that we should take a tram from here into the centre and we're soon in the familiar territory of Batavia.

In time the rest of the crew join us and the session continues. It's last night for the Canadians so Trad and Gapie are getting competitive, despite Gapie's condition.

After a couple of hours in Batavia we move to Marleys for more beer and weed.

A few hours later and now thoroughly intoxicated, we find ourselves outside Trad and Sammysarahh's apartment on Warmoesstraat. As mentioned, this is their last night in town and we're all still up for more. There's a Big Shots right next to where we're standing but the doorman says they're closing. It is quite late and it is Sunday. Also next to us is Stone's Nightclub, which is open, so we stagger into there.


Stone's Nightclub

Yet more beer and yet more weed but it's noisy and busy so conversation is difficult. After a short stay, we call it a night.

Igraine and I catch the night bus back to Plantage. It's been a lovely day but we're knackered now.

[Jolly]

Great read. Thanks!

[AzLaker]

@Lemming, that really was a fantastic day. From Het Ballonnejte all the way to the last beers and smokes at Stones. Good times. And as usual, great pictures.

AzLaker

[avfc-herbalist]

Brilliant read mate . Thanks for taking the time.

I really like the look of Marley’s, will definitely be going there in January.

Does Spirit have any arcade machines or is it just pinball?

I'm snapping pictures of long-closed coffeeshops

Would love to see before and after pictures Lemming!



Also, Ghost’s Coffeeshop t-shirt is wicked !!

[dude65]

Sunday 21st April 2024 - Het Ballonnetje
Our Dude65 and Florian are deep in conversation. I'm very impressed that they're speaking in English rather than their native German so as not to exclude the rest of us. Very thoughtful. Nice people.

Dude! I think I never realized Florian was german. I did think "Florian does not sound like your typical dutch name, very much german". But I guess he has been there long enough so that his accent sounds more dutch than german.

This is seriously funny!

Anyway, when not in Germany, I NEVER assume my counterpart speaks german and I'll always start with english.

Or, if I feel confident enough I'll do wild shit like "dös cientos gramos de jamon serrano, por favor. <point finger to clarify selection>"

[dude65]

dos, not dös, of course.

[Lemming]

That is indeed seriously funny!
You multilinguists make us people who can barely speak our native language look very stupid.

[Not_the_monk]

Does Spirit have any arcade machines or is it just pinball?

No, there's 6 or 7 pinball tables (and a pool table) in the back room, and I think since the last refurb one of the tables has a bunch of games built into it but no classic arcade cabinets. Once upon a time I have a vague memory of a machine somewhere in the front bit but I think that's long gone.

[avfc-herbalist]

No, there's 6 or 7 pinball tables (and a pool table) in the back room, and I think since the last refurb one of the tables has a bunch of games built into it but no classic arcade cabinets. Once upon a time I have a vague memory of a machine somewhere in the front bit but I think that's long gone.

Thanks for the information mate. Yeah, I did a bit of reading in Spirit’s Coffeeshop thread and your hazey memory is correct it used to have a car racing machine at the front. Shame it’s no longer there.

[Not_the_monk]

Thanks for the information mate. Yeah, I did a bit of reading in Spirit’s Coffeeshop thread and your hazey memory is correct it used to have a car racing machine at the front. Shame it’s no longer there.

Ahhhhhh yes, suddenly a rather foggy memory just regained focus & I can picture it now, Sega Rally or Daytona USA or something along those lines

[talkrum]

Fab reporting my friend. The sesh in Spirit will live long for me. Gassing with the Doc and JLH, winning the pinball, Gapie as quiet as a mouse! - what a great day!

[Lemming]

Monday 22nd April 2024 - South

As we've established, my absolute favourite coffeeshop is Ballonnetje but I have lots of other favourites too. Over the years and decades many shops have come in and out of my top selection. Some have been perennial faves for a long time, like Siberie. Some no longer exist, like Nes and Homegrown Fantasy. Some are relatively new discoveries like The Stud, which I first visited in 2017.

My most recent rising star is De Kade, which I first visited in 2023. We were very impressed when we first ventured out there so a return visit this year is on the schedule.

The weather is much better today. No rain and even a bit of sunshine as we stumble out to find some breakfast.

Some of the crew have already left town and a chat on WhatsApp reveals that the other survivors are currently scattered along Haarlemmerstraat. In view of tram 24 no longer starting in the centre, I'm planning to use the metro to get to De Kade. We could switch from tram to metro at Rokin but I offer to meet the others at Centraal Station instead.

Arriving at Centraal we find that the others have already left so we hop on the next metro to chase after them. The metro is very quick and comfortable and soon delivers us at Station Zuid, amongst the glass towers of the Zuidas banking district.

Stepping out onto Zuidplein we spot the crew sitting waiting for us and looking very cool in shades and hats, as if they're on a skiing trip. Together we set off on foot through a residential patch until we see De Kade across the water. Here we cross into the Old South, which is a dramatic contrast to Zuidas.



Inside De Kade is very smart with a view over the water out of the windows.



Everyone soon has their weapon of choice in action.



Including the Volcano, of course.



Then a nice surprise. One of the budtenders comes over and says that the manager heard that we're here to do some testing and that they'd like to give us some samples to try. Some smart t-shirts appear too. Thanks De Kade!



The samples include Tropicana Cherry, Blue Cookies, Strawberry Oreoz and something labelled "Ice", which doesn't appear to be on the menu.

Well, we test all of them and I can confirm, they work! As usual, I'm already too stoned to note anything about them but they are managing to get me even more ridiculously stoned.



Fortunately we're not supposed to be anywhere in particular at any time so we can settle in for a while. The Volcano comes in for some heavy usage.



It's a wonderful afternoon. I love De Kade.

[After I returned to UK, I was presented with a painting based on a photo I took of the Mucha-like picture in De Kade in 2023. Apparently, Igraine's daughter had been working on it for ages. It's now hanging in my dining room.

My dining room]

We eventually float out onto the street and make our way towards the tram stop. As we pass DNA we're joined by Professoref on her bike. The plan is to do a little tour of the Pijp area. Professoref heads there on her bike and the rest of us take the tram.

First stop is Katsu. For some reason we don't go inside. Instead we wander across the Albert Cuyp Market and take a look at Club Media. We don't enter there either and next find ourselves strolling through Sarphatipark. I have no idea what's going on but am happy floating around in a daze with my cool companions.



We pass Carmona with barely a glance and finish up at Yo-Yo. This time we go in but soon wonder whether we made the right choice. The lady here seems far from pleased to see us!

I'm a big fan of a British comedy called Black Books about a shopkeeper who hates customers coming into his shop. We also have a quirky pub near home with a similar attitude. This and still being extremely stoned makes me find the situation hilarious. The rest of the crew are not so impressed.

The problem seems to be that she doesn't like big groups filling the small smoking area at the front of the shop. In fact there are only about half-a-dozen of us so not really a crowd. I think she might be seeing double or concerned that there are lots more of us on the way. Either way, I ignore her and sit at a table with my drink.


View from Yo-Yo of the playground outside

She doesn't actually ask us to leave and seems to have reluctantly accepted us, although she does scowl a little as she hovers around. Most of the crew are not comfortable and decide to head off in search of food. Doc G leaves so fast that he forgets his wallet and returns to pick it up.

After a short while, the diminished group of us remaining also head out. Strolling along Van Woustraat, following the route of tram 4 towards its next stop, we stumble into a pizza restaurant. Pizza Beppe, I think. My pizza is topped with marinated vegetables, fresh rocket and stuff. Pizza experts may say that's too wet but I'm really enjoying the slightly moist base soaked in marinade. Tasty! Thanks Occasional Bowl.

Suitably fed, we catch a tram 4 into centre.

When we attempt to call out to the rest of the crew, someone mentions Hill Street Blues. That sounds good so we head there. On arrival we can't find them in any of the bar areas. We settle in anyway and contact the others. They are in the new HSB, the one that used to be the original Hunter's Bar. We offer to join them and check out the new place but they decide to join us.


Hill Street Booze

With the whole team in the house, there's soon another serious session in progress. With it being relatively quiet, there's some good conversation going on too.

It's our last night so no restraint, if there ever was any. Beer and vapes flow late into the night.

It's been another lovely day. Better weather, a warm welcome at De Kade, a traditionally shambolic ACD Pijp crawl and finishing up with a very pleasant session in good company here at Hill Street Blues. Perfect!

Homeward bound tomorrow.

[HitTheNorth]

Sounds like a fantastic day.

de Kade is such a great shop. It's certainly top 3 for me and on any given day could well be my favourite coffeeshop.

Love that photo of the boys in HSB

[avfc-herbalist]

Brilliant again, Lemming!

That painting of De Kade in your dining room is fantastic!

Thanks mate.