Oldies in old Amsterdam

Veterans from the Reuters Amsterdam bureau in the early- and mid-1990s met for an overdue reunion last weekend and assembled for a photo-call on the steps of the old Reuters office opposite the Rijksmuseum which now occupies the building.

Those present included (left to right in the photo): Christopher Johnson, Steve Hays, Andrew Kelly, Marijke van Oene, Kristin Kranenberg, Sara Ledwith, Nick Louth, Caroline Doughty Voaden, Theo Kolker, Ben Hirschler, Keiron Henderson and Ashley Seager.

Andrew took the long-haul prize, flying in from Houston, while others came from London, Frankfurt and Basel. (Theo even made the trip into the big city from Zwolle.)

Reuters Amsterdam was a big bureau a generation ago, on the back of the success of the Dutch language financial news service (now defunct). These days it is a lot smaller. Most of those pictured have moved on to new careers. Only Sara, Christopher and Ben still work for the Baron.

Weekend festivities included beers at a favourite city bar, a lunchtime boat trip and a great evening over a fine rijsttafel, generously laid on by Steve in his stunning canal house on the Singel.

Plans are already afoot for a 2020 get-together. ■