ACD Four Twenty 2016
Re: ACD Four Twenty 2016
Excellent read, Lemming! Again pretty nice to see this all happened like that considering the beginning of this year when it wasn't sure anything will happen. So great 
. What a pity Elasticband doesn't report on here anymore due to some bad undeserved childishness of others(of course always blaming others!)especially since he had a growing background and was dedicated, hope you're fine and come back one day 
!
Keep it coming, Lemming!
. What a pity Elasticband doesn't report on here anymore due to some bad undeserved childishness of others(of course always blaming others!)especially since he had a growing background and was dedicated, hope you're fine and come back one day !Keep it coming, Lemming!
Re: ACD Four Twenty 2016
Elastic band's a bloody good guy, prob won't be back around ACD (maybe he occasionally) lurks, but his spirit lives on in-person in 'Dam! 
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delovelynugs
- Posts: 16
- Joined: Wed 8th Jun 2016 06:20 pm
Re: ACD Four Twenty 2016
Great read up when is day 3 coming
Re: ACD Four Twenty 2016
Hope you took notes Lem....she,s all a little blurry to me govnerdelovelynugs wrote:Great read up when is day 3 coming
Re: ACD Four Twenty 2016
Months late as usual. I've been busy for ages on the new site but now that's working reasonably well I thought I'd take a break to finish this off. To be honest, the best pictures were on the 20th but here's the 21st anyway.
Day 3 - Thursday 21st April 2016
I arrive at Voyagers to meet everyone for a planned excursion to Haarlem. Papi and JDog are there but no sign of Macky yet. Settling in for a smoke up while we wait for the others, I discover that Papi and JDog are not planning on going to Haarlem anyway.
Occasional Bowl strolls in and joins us but, after a while, it's become clear that nobody else is coming. [Later we learn that Mr & Mrs Macky and Drugsbunny had actually already gone to Haarlem.]
Voyagers - those unusable Volcanoes - what a waste! (see day 1)
Occasional Bowl and I discuss whether it's worth just the two of us going to Haarlem or whether we should do something else. It's a lovely sunny day, perfect for a walk. OB has a smart phone with the ACD Google Map on it so I ask him whether he fancies a coffeeshop-spotting expedition. I suggest we could head out to the new Baba. He agrees so a mission is born. We're off out west.
Camera slung around neck, I snap away at every passing coffeeshop. [Rather than posting all of those pictures here I'll put them on the coffeeshop pages soon.] We pass Central and Batavia, cross all of the tramlines and come to where the derelict remains of Rastababy face the also empty Rokerij 2.
OB and I get chatting about the mess left by closed coffeeshops. Warmoesstraat looks particularly wrecked at the moment, especially where the empty shells of Baba and Stones Corner face one another across the busiest junction in touristville. They, of course, closed quite recently so maybe new businesses will move in there but Rastababy and Rokerij have been closed for a while now and there is no sign of anyone rushing to do anything with these buildings.
OB points out that the plans to gentrify the Red Light District were made before the banking crash when tourism was thriving. With visitor numbers falling I wonder whether the tourist board is now regretting closing so many tourist coffeeshops.
Anyway, there are still several open coffeeshops around here. I get pictures of Bulldog Rockshop and The Store. The nameplate above The Store looks very plain, as befits its new name, which seems so bland to me compared to The Doors. No idea why they changed it.
On to the Brouwersgracht, where the water is looking rather brown today. OB suggests that we pop into Siberie. So, in we go, grab a gram and a drink and then sit down at a high table near the door to skin up.
Siberie menu
OB uses his phone to post an update onto the forum. He tells everyone that the Haarlem trip has been abandoned because nobody turned up, what we are doing instead and planned meets for later in the day.
It's always nice to hang out in Siberie but today we are on a mission. I seem to finish up smoking most of the joint I rolled myself but it's all gone now and we set off again. Across onto Haarlemmerstraat, where I photograph every coffeeshop we pass, then a right turn onto Korte Prinsengracht, under the railway and we emerge into the Westerdok area.
This is actually one photo of one window. I'd love to know the story behind this stuffed cat and live cat.
Arriving at Baba I take some photos but neither of us are that bothered about going in. We're already nicely stoned and the sun is shining so we decide to walk on. I mention to OB that The Wauw Shop is quite close and that I'd like to see if it's still open so we head off there.
We find that The Wauw Shop is indeed still open, although not at this moment. It's on the outside school hours rules of opening at 6pm on weekdays. It's good to finally see this threatened coffeeshop. It's always struck me as slightly bizarre for a coffeeshop to appear to be an annexe of an Albert Heijn supermarket and the reality doesn't disappoint.
The Wauw Shop and Albert Heijn
Next we take a look at Yin Yang, the shop formerly known as Heavenly just around the corner from Wauw. Again I take lots of photos but we don't stop.
There's not much else to see around here so we make our way back under the railway towards another cluster of coffeeshops.
Fishing in my pocket I find the medicated rice krispie cake that Drugbunny gave me (see day 1) and begin munching my way through it as we stroll down the road.
The map on OB's phone has stopped working so we have to try to find our way around from memory. We find De Republiek quite easily but then begin to struggle.
Wandering around in a stoned daze we next stumble across the remains of closed shop Londen. We also find coffeeshop Freedom without too much difficulty.
That just leaves Chapiteau to find. OB has been there before but can't quite remember which street it's on. I'm now flying on rice krispie cake and no help at all. Eventually OB triumphantly finds it.
So that's mission accomplished. Lots of coffeeshop photos in the can after a very pleasant walk in the sunshine in excellent company. We part ways at Marnixstraat as OB heads back to his hotel and on to Utopia for his 8 o'clock meet up. I carry on back into the centre.
Back at the apartment I post on the forum that I'll pop into Baba after 6 when it opens but that I can't stay until 8 because I've got to meet my girlfriend at the station before then. [It's only ages later that I realise I typed Baba when I meant Utopia. That's how stoned I am.]
A little later and here I am in Utopia with Gapie, Smirks, Trashcanman, JDog, Papi and Drugsbunny. Just long enough to get even more mashed and then it's off down to Centraal Station to meet the other half, herein known as J, who's just flown in to join me.
While I'm waiting I attempt to get that classic arrival view of Amsterdam
J and I go out for dinner and then finish the night at Batavia. Yet another wonderful day in Amsterdam.
Day 3 - Thursday 21st April 2016
I arrive at Voyagers to meet everyone for a planned excursion to Haarlem. Papi and JDog are there but no sign of Macky yet. Settling in for a smoke up while we wait for the others, I discover that Papi and JDog are not planning on going to Haarlem anyway.
Occasional Bowl strolls in and joins us but, after a while, it's become clear that nobody else is coming. [Later we learn that Mr & Mrs Macky and Drugsbunny had actually already gone to Haarlem.]
Voyagers - those unusable Volcanoes - what a waste! (see day 1)
Occasional Bowl and I discuss whether it's worth just the two of us going to Haarlem or whether we should do something else. It's a lovely sunny day, perfect for a walk. OB has a smart phone with the ACD Google Map on it so I ask him whether he fancies a coffeeshop-spotting expedition. I suggest we could head out to the new Baba. He agrees so a mission is born. We're off out west.
Camera slung around neck, I snap away at every passing coffeeshop. [Rather than posting all of those pictures here I'll put them on the coffeeshop pages soon.] We pass Central and Batavia, cross all of the tramlines and come to where the derelict remains of Rastababy face the also empty Rokerij 2.
OB and I get chatting about the mess left by closed coffeeshops. Warmoesstraat looks particularly wrecked at the moment, especially where the empty shells of Baba and Stones Corner face one another across the busiest junction in touristville. They, of course, closed quite recently so maybe new businesses will move in there but Rastababy and Rokerij have been closed for a while now and there is no sign of anyone rushing to do anything with these buildings.
OB points out that the plans to gentrify the Red Light District were made before the banking crash when tourism was thriving. With visitor numbers falling I wonder whether the tourist board is now regretting closing so many tourist coffeeshops.
Anyway, there are still several open coffeeshops around here. I get pictures of Bulldog Rockshop and The Store. The nameplate above The Store looks very plain, as befits its new name, which seems so bland to me compared to The Doors. No idea why they changed it.
On to the Brouwersgracht, where the water is looking rather brown today. OB suggests that we pop into Siberie. So, in we go, grab a gram and a drink and then sit down at a high table near the door to skin up.
Siberie menu
OB uses his phone to post an update onto the forum. He tells everyone that the Haarlem trip has been abandoned because nobody turned up, what we are doing instead and planned meets for later in the day.
It's always nice to hang out in Siberie but today we are on a mission. I seem to finish up smoking most of the joint I rolled myself but it's all gone now and we set off again. Across onto Haarlemmerstraat, where I photograph every coffeeshop we pass, then a right turn onto Korte Prinsengracht, under the railway and we emerge into the Westerdok area.
This is actually one photo of one window. I'd love to know the story behind this stuffed cat and live cat.
Arriving at Baba I take some photos but neither of us are that bothered about going in. We're already nicely stoned and the sun is shining so we decide to walk on. I mention to OB that The Wauw Shop is quite close and that I'd like to see if it's still open so we head off there.
We find that The Wauw Shop is indeed still open, although not at this moment. It's on the outside school hours rules of opening at 6pm on weekdays. It's good to finally see this threatened coffeeshop. It's always struck me as slightly bizarre for a coffeeshop to appear to be an annexe of an Albert Heijn supermarket and the reality doesn't disappoint.
The Wauw Shop and Albert Heijn
Next we take a look at Yin Yang, the shop formerly known as Heavenly just around the corner from Wauw. Again I take lots of photos but we don't stop.
There's not much else to see around here so we make our way back under the railway towards another cluster of coffeeshops.
Fishing in my pocket I find the medicated rice krispie cake that Drugbunny gave me (see day 1) and begin munching my way through it as we stroll down the road.
The map on OB's phone has stopped working so we have to try to find our way around from memory. We find De Republiek quite easily but then begin to struggle.
Wandering around in a stoned daze we next stumble across the remains of closed shop Londen. We also find coffeeshop Freedom without too much difficulty.
That just leaves Chapiteau to find. OB has been there before but can't quite remember which street it's on. I'm now flying on rice krispie cake and no help at all. Eventually OB triumphantly finds it.
So that's mission accomplished. Lots of coffeeshop photos in the can after a very pleasant walk in the sunshine in excellent company. We part ways at Marnixstraat as OB heads back to his hotel and on to Utopia for his 8 o'clock meet up. I carry on back into the centre.
Back at the apartment I post on the forum that I'll pop into Baba after 6 when it opens but that I can't stay until 8 because I've got to meet my girlfriend at the station before then. [It's only ages later that I realise I typed Baba when I meant Utopia. That's how stoned I am.
]A little later and here I am in Utopia with Gapie, Smirks, Trashcanman, JDog, Papi and Drugsbunny. Just long enough to get even more mashed and then it's off down to Centraal Station to meet the other half, herein known as J, who's just flown in to join me.
While I'm waiting I attempt to get that classic arrival view of Amsterdam
J and I go out for dinner and then finish the night at Batavia. Yet another wonderful day in Amsterdam.
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Not_the_monk
- Posts: 854
- Joined: Wed 22nd Aug 2012 02:22 am
Re: ACD Four Twenty 2016
Great read
Really interesting that The Wauw Shop is still open, it was on the phase 1 (July 2014) list and most of them closed immediately. Though I think De Kade is still open too. And Biba from the phase 2 list. I don't get it at all, how did these ones get around it (but are still on the 6pm thing so presumably still threatened like the phase 3 list) when HGF, Anyday etc couldn't?
Really interesting that The Wauw Shop is still open, it was on the phase 1 (July 2014) list and most of them closed immediately. Though I think De Kade is still open too. And Biba from the phase 2 list. I don't get it at all, how did these ones get around it (but are still on the 6pm thing so presumably still threatened like the phase 3 list) when HGF, Anyday etc couldn't?
Re: ACD Four Twenty 2016
The official sticker on the window says that it's licensed from 7am to 1am until 1st December 2016.
A hand-written sign says Mon-Fri 18:00-23:00; Sat, Sun 10:00-23:00.
I'd love to know the story too. Looks like it's in the same boat as Utopia at the moment but how it survived the earlier closures I've no idea.
It would be nice to think that the authorities are having second thoughts and that the currently threatened shops might be saved. Better still would be that the likes of HGF and Anyday would be re-opened. That might be a bit optimistic but we can hope.
A hand-written sign says Mon-Fri 18:00-23:00; Sat, Sun 10:00-23:00.
I'd love to know the story too. Looks like it's in the same boat as Utopia at the moment but how it survived the earlier closures I've no idea.
It would be nice to think that the authorities are having second thoughts and that the currently threatened shops might be saved. Better still would be that the likes of HGF and Anyday would be re-opened. That might be a bit optimistic but we can hope.
Re: ACD Four Twenty 2016
Day 4 - Friday 22nd April 2016
We're supposed to be meeting up in Voyagers again this morning, this time to go to Utrecht. We're running very late and, after yesterday, suspect that the others will either have left early or be too stoned by now.
Our first objective is to find some breakfast over on Nieuwmarkt so I post on the forum that we're not likely to be in Voyagers any time soon, just in case anyone is heading there.
Heading out towards Nieuwmarkt we run into Papi. We catch up for a while and agree to meet in Utopia this evening.
So, having abandoned the original plan, J and I discuss a new one over breakfast. It's a reasonably nice day and J fancies a stroll through the park. I can see opportunities for a bit more coffeeshop spotting around Vondel Park so that's settled.
I've got my Nexus 7 tablet with me today. Unfortunately my attempts to store the Google map offline weren't successful (stoner incompetence probably) so I'm relying on what's in the cache. Anyway, I know the way to the park so off we go.
Vondel Park
My first venture out of the park is to try to find Tweedy. My tablet has already lost its map but I've got a rough idea where it should be. At first I find no trace but then spot a sign in a window.
Tweedy
It looks like this is the only remnant of a shop that has clearly closed.
Back in the park we admire the tulips before another little side trip to find more coffeeshops.
Vondel Park
Out on the Overtoom we take a look at Blue Lagoon and Vondel. Into the park again and then to the new Basjoe. Turning around we head north, cross the canal and check out De Prijs.
The next objective, Bij, proves elusive without a map. I know roughly where it should be but can't find the right corner. I do find Boerejongens though. With that it's time to head back towards the centre. Along the way we take a break at the original Kashmir Lounge.
Kashmir Lounge
I haven't been in here since it gave up its coffeeshop licence. Seems like the sort of place J might like, and indeed she does. There is a DJ playing and more kit being set up for some kind of event later. Only time for a beer and a joint now though.
Back in the centre we pop into Utopia for a quick one. Gapie is in the house and tells us that FtCarer is in town on a flying visit. Apparently he's in Voyagers so we rush off down there. Unfortunately he's already left so it's back to Utopia again.
In Utopia now we've got Mr & Mrs Macky, Danny211204, Occasional Bowl, Gapie, Papi and Ingi Blingi. The Mackys invite us to join them for a Thai dinner on Haarlemmerstraat. J is beaming because Thai is here favourite cuisine.
The four of us pile into Barney's Uptown first for a pre-dinner spliff or two. The girls leave for the restaurant first, followed shortly by Macky and me.
Haarlemmerstraat - that chimney again (see last year)
It's a fantastic meal, thanks very much Mr & Mrs Macky. Suitably fed we head back to Utopia where we're joined by Papi.
Utopia
Another mega session sees us through to closing time.
Dam Square
Walking past Dam Square we find the fun fair is still in full swing. It's really nice of them to put this on especially for us every year. I've never been on any of the rides but the colours look great when stoned.
We're supposed to be meeting up in Voyagers again this morning, this time to go to Utrecht. We're running very late and, after yesterday, suspect that the others will either have left early or be too stoned by now.
Our first objective is to find some breakfast over on Nieuwmarkt so I post on the forum that we're not likely to be in Voyagers any time soon, just in case anyone is heading there.
Heading out towards Nieuwmarkt we run into Papi. We catch up for a while and agree to meet in Utopia this evening.
So, having abandoned the original plan, J and I discuss a new one over breakfast. It's a reasonably nice day and J fancies a stroll through the park. I can see opportunities for a bit more coffeeshop spotting around Vondel Park so that's settled.
I've got my Nexus 7 tablet with me today. Unfortunately my attempts to store the Google map offline weren't successful (stoner incompetence probably) so I'm relying on what's in the cache. Anyway, I know the way to the park so off we go.
Vondel Park
My first venture out of the park is to try to find Tweedy. My tablet has already lost its map but I've got a rough idea where it should be. At first I find no trace but then spot a sign in a window.
Tweedy
It looks like this is the only remnant of a shop that has clearly closed.
Back in the park we admire the tulips before another little side trip to find more coffeeshops.
Vondel Park
Out on the Overtoom we take a look at Blue Lagoon and Vondel. Into the park again and then to the new Basjoe. Turning around we head north, cross the canal and check out De Prijs.
The next objective, Bij, proves elusive without a map. I know roughly where it should be but can't find the right corner. I do find Boerejongens though. With that it's time to head back towards the centre. Along the way we take a break at the original Kashmir Lounge.
Kashmir Lounge
I haven't been in here since it gave up its coffeeshop licence. Seems like the sort of place J might like, and indeed she does. There is a DJ playing and more kit being set up for some kind of event later. Only time for a beer and a joint now though.
Back in the centre we pop into Utopia for a quick one. Gapie is in the house and tells us that FtCarer is in town on a flying visit. Apparently he's in Voyagers so we rush off down there. Unfortunately he's already left so it's back to Utopia again.
In Utopia now we've got Mr & Mrs Macky, Danny211204, Occasional Bowl, Gapie, Papi and Ingi Blingi. The Mackys invite us to join them for a Thai dinner on Haarlemmerstraat. J is beaming because Thai is here favourite cuisine.
The four of us pile into Barney's Uptown first for a pre-dinner spliff or two. The girls leave for the restaurant first, followed shortly by Macky and me.
Haarlemmerstraat - that chimney again (see last year)
It's a fantastic meal, thanks very much Mr & Mrs Macky. Suitably fed we head back to Utopia where we're joined by Papi.
Utopia
Another mega session sees us through to closing time.
Dam Square
Walking past Dam Square we find the fun fair is still in full swing. It's really nice of them to put this on especially for us every year. I've never been on any of the rides but the colours look great when stoned.
Re: ACD Four Twenty 2016
Nice update we were wandering Vondel/Overtoom, was very nice in the park that morning , pity we didn't bump into you & sorry we missed you in Voyagers , we had time for 1 more shop before we left so picked Voyagers over Utopia as it was closer for the walk to the station , looking forward to the finish of this
we were wandering Vondel/Overtoom, was very nice in the park that morning , pity we didn't bump into you & sorry we missed you in Voyagers , we had time for 1 more shop before we left so picked Voyagers over Utopia as it was closer for the walk to the station , looking forward to the finish of this Sending out the good vibes to those that need them right now
Re: ACD Four Twenty 2016
Nice read ..was great day
Re: ACD Four Twenty 2016
Day 5 - Saturday 23rd April 2016
Another bright day. We've arranged to meet in Paradox at 4:20 to present their award but no events till then so got a bit of spare time. After a relaxed breakfast I decide to do another walk frantically photographing coffeeshops.
So we're off out west.
Marnixstraat, by Bloemgracht tram stop
After a short tour, taking in Sensemillia, Hugo and 2e Cheech & Chong's, we stagger into Paradox and meet up with the Mackys and Papi.
Paradox menu
The Volcano is pressed into heavy service and a major session begins, as usual.
Before we get completely mashed we remind Macky that he was going to present an award. A short speech, congratulations all round and then the session resumes.
Paradox session
After dinner we finish the evening at Batavia.
Batavia basement
Day 6 - Sunday 24th April 2016
We have to go home today
but the sun is shining and we still have time to get a nice breakfast.
One of our favourite cafes is 'Puccini', on the corner of Staalstraat and Zwanenburgwal, opposite Waterlooplein. We get there just in time as the weather changes dramatically. Suddenly an almighty downpour of hailstones breaks out.
Puccini
Breakfast
Grilled courgette, aubergine, red pepper, sundried tomatoes, avocado, pine nuts and pesto on warm focaccia. For this particular vegetarian, breakfast doesn't get much better than this. Wonderful! Sounds quite healthy too so I have some credit on the lung abuse account. Better go and spend it then ...
Last stop on the way to the station is Hill Street. Don't think I've been in here since it stopped being a coffeeshop. Good to see it still looks the same. Like a museum exhibit of how a great coffeeshop once looked.
Hill Street Blues
I quickly smoke up the remains because I'm being nagged about an aeroplane. So that's it. Over and out on another great 4-20 celebration.
Quite a few people turned up this year, and all seriously hardcore. A better turnout than last year I reckon. Thanks everyone for being great company and trying to smoke Amsterdam dry.
Cast in alphabetical order:
1st Born
Choppermike
Danny211204
DeLeuksteNUGS16
Drugsbunny
Elasticband
FlyByNite
Gapie
Ingi Blingi
JDog
Lemming + J
Mack 10
Mr & Mrs Macky
Mowie
Occasional Bowl
OneHighMofo
Papi
Pot Doctor
Rob_OG
Scandalous Monk
Smirks
Trashcanman
Mr & Mrs Treetop
If you know better, please let me know.
Another bright day. We've arranged to meet in Paradox at 4:20 to present their award but no events till then so got a bit of spare time. After a relaxed breakfast I decide to do another walk frantically photographing coffeeshops.
So we're off out west.
Marnixstraat, by Bloemgracht tram stop
After a short tour, taking in Sensemillia, Hugo and 2e Cheech & Chong's, we stagger into Paradox and meet up with the Mackys and Papi.
Paradox menu
The Volcano is pressed into heavy service and a major session begins, as usual.
Before we get completely mashed we remind Macky that he was going to present an award. A short speech, congratulations all round and then the session resumes.
Paradox session
After dinner we finish the evening at Batavia.
Batavia basement
Day 6 - Sunday 24th April 2016
We have to go home today
but the sun is shining and we still have time to get a nice breakfast. One of our favourite cafes is 'Puccini', on the corner of Staalstraat and Zwanenburgwal, opposite Waterlooplein. We get there just in time as the weather changes dramatically. Suddenly an almighty downpour of hailstones breaks out.
Puccini
Breakfast
Grilled courgette, aubergine, red pepper, sundried tomatoes, avocado, pine nuts and pesto on warm focaccia. For this particular vegetarian, breakfast doesn't get much better than this. Wonderful! Sounds quite healthy too so I have some credit on the lung abuse account. Better go and spend it then ...
Last stop on the way to the station is Hill Street. Don't think I've been in here since it stopped being a coffeeshop. Good to see it still looks the same. Like a museum exhibit of how a great coffeeshop once looked.
Hill Street Blues
I quickly smoke up the remains because I'm being nagged about an aeroplane. So that's it. Over and out on another great 4-20 celebration.
Quite a few people turned up this year, and all seriously hardcore. A better turnout than last year I reckon. Thanks everyone for being great company and trying to smoke Amsterdam dry.
Cast in alphabetical order:
1st Born
Choppermike
Danny211204
DeLeuksteNUGS16
Drugsbunny
Elasticband
FlyByNite
Gapie
Ingi Blingi
JDog
Lemming + J
Mack 10
Mr & Mrs Macky
Mowie
Occasional Bowl
OneHighMofo
Papi
Pot Doctor
Rob_OG
Scandalous Monk
Smirks
Trashcanman
Mr & Mrs Treetop
If you know better, please let me know.
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spidergawd
- Posts: 4420
- Joined: Sun 11th May 2008 09:21 pm
- Location: The Mars Hotel
Re: ACD Four Twenty 2016
An excellent report Lemming. As always, great pics and a nice easy writing style. Thanks for taking us on your trip.
What a long strange trip it is.
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OneHighMofo
- Posts: 1720
- Joined: Wed 25th Feb 2015 06:04 pm
Re: ACD Four Twenty 2016
Great memories and an awesome write up - thanks lemming
Re: ACD Four Twenty 2016
Great read Lem ....hope we see you in Nov.