There's nothing like a spot of weather to interfere with your travel plans. I've now struck my second 'rough patch'. Initially the take off was delayed (I won't bore you with the regular intercom announcements) by an hour. We eventually took off and were 15 minutes from Amsterdam when, due to high winds we were diverted to Dusseldorf to land and re-fuel. It was one of those highly dramatic, white knuckle landings which inspired the outbreak of universal passenger applause when we came to a final halt. While some doubts were expressed about getting to Amsterdam that night they decided to risk it. After a sojourn on the Dusseldorf run-way for an hour or so we took off and 40 minutes later arrived at Schiphol. Through customs etc. and in to the conveniently located train station where an eerie absence of trains or information loomed. Without explanation I was told to board the train to Amsterdam. (opposite direction to Den Haag) and to get off in two stops. Surrounded by bewildered passengers I joined the tightly packed throng. Half an hour later we boarded the train, then off as allocated. Another eerie wait (fewer people, abandoned platform, no information) then a train to Haarlem - not where I should be heading but the general consensus was that a train to Den Haag could be met there. Around that time the information was filtering through that widespread storm damage to the electrical supply had thrown the transport system into chaos. On the train from Haarlem now heading towards Rotterdam ten train officials suddenly descended to the doorway where I was perched on my suitcase and asked two travel-weary passengers to get out of their seats. More officials then appeared flanking an unwell passenger incapable of standing. One of the officials then appealed for anyone with a plastic bag as she eyed off the WS Smith bag containing my 'Country Life' magazine. The dazed, substance-affected passenger was handed the bag and surrounded by the guards. Fortuitously before the bag was required we stopped at Leiden and there on the opposite platform was a train to Den Haag Centraal. I leapt across the platform, sunk into my seat with a sigh then sat for ten minutes. Finally arrived back. Again, what should have been a routine return flight from London to Amsterdam taking roughly 40 mins followed by a train journey of half an hour became a nine(!) hour odyssey.