As they do fairly often in recent years, the people of the Netherlands have been voting today.

It is a shame that I'm here in fair Verona, Italy, trekking my way east, and I won't get to see all the people heading to their local public school to cast their vote.

Somehow, before I left, a sample ballot ended up in my mailbox. In my humble opinion, it is amazing! Something like 20 parties on this massive poster-size paper; talk about exercising your right... this is hard work!

I'm following the returns from this hotel I'm staying at. News reports indicate a 60% turnout, which is pretty good compared to the under 50% certain other countries suffer from. Will the Labour party become the biggest party? Will the socialists make huge gains? Will the Christian Democrats finally lose their edge and fall from government. Or will the Greens have a huge showing?

10 more minutes and they say there will be a result. Exciting times!