Jeronimo!!!!!!

This is it! Today is the day of my Triple Whammy Adrenaline Experience at Magna, Rotherham! I've made John close the gallery for the day so he can come and watch me and the kids are banned from their own activities - they have to come and watch too!

I have to check in at 2.30pm ready to start at 3pm and we make a good start by arriving early, an hour early! So, we take the advice of the guy on the desk who suggests that we go and watch the jumpers for a bit before checking in!

Oh boy! The Abyss is sooooo big! It's high and wide and dark with video screens and music playing and people throwing themselves off a gantry 150 feet in the air!!!!! With shouting from the floor and screams from above it was a hell of an introduction to my afternoons entertainment!

We stood for a few minutes, watching and then returned to check-in. The queue wasn't huge but it did seem to take ages! The anticipation was building and it reminded me of the time in Playtex City before the start of the Moonwalk.. waiting and waiting with the pit in your stomach getting bigger and bigger and just wanting the whole thing to get started!

The line of intrepid souls didn't seem to move very quickly and it took 40 minutes to reach the front where I signed away my right to blame them if anything went wrong...

It was about now that I had a moment of crisis... I hadn't brought any spare contact lens - what if they fell out??

I walked back into the darkness and the music looking for the way to the zip wire - the first of my three challenges!


John and the kids were allowed to stay with me and so  together we made our way up a flight of stairs and along to where I was taken aside and strapped into a harness ready for the slide of my life!

Once I was suitably strapped up by a suitably strapping young man, then checked over by another... I was led, along with three fellow sliders, along corridors and down stairwells to where we would climb narrow stairs up into the roof the the mighty old steelworks...

I can't remember the name of the guy whose job it was to see us off but he laughingly told us that he had just had two nine year old girls do this and we had better not bottle out!! I remember thinking that it had to be easier to just do it rather than squeeze back along the narrow stairs and find your way back!

The zip wire was 250 feet long and stretched away into the darkness. Below we could see the faces of friends and family waiting and watching... it was soon my turn. The guy in charge was chatty and reassuring as he checked over my harness and hooked me onto the relevant straps and explained what to do, pretty easy really - just hang on, step off and enjoy the ride! So I did!

It was so quick that I blinked and almost missed it! The speed was said to be almost 35 miles per hour and I must admit it did feel fast but it was only moments before I came to a swinging halt at the end of the line... Fab! That was good! Not scarey at all and I even thought it a bit tame! Bring on the abseil...

The abseil was a little different. I needed a new harness, strapped on by yet another suitably strapping young man... and once again checked out by another... this was proving to be a good afternoon ;-)

This time with gloves to protect my hands on the rope, I was pointed in the direction of a staircase, a steel tread staircase made up of  many flights of stairs. Each landing had a message - 'you are about to throw yourself 150 feet into the abyss', or something equally daunting! Each flight of stairs was harder on the legs and with muscles aching and getting short of breath I finally made the landing... only to be advised that I was only halfway at 76 feet and had to keep on going!!

Climbing and climbing, onwards and upwards, knowing that the quickest way down was the rope! At the last landing I was faced with a vertical ladder with a curved cage around it - up I went and there I was! 150 feet up on a steel gantry made of gridiron with gaps big enough to lose a 10p piece! Look down and you saw the height, look over and you could see the height - there was no escape!!

But there was Dave - the friendly face on the abseil. Smiling and asking had I done this before? I briefly explained how I had chickened out of a similar challenge in my early teens and felt the need to repent!  He laughed and told me not to worry - its easy! In fact don't think about it, it's a no-brainer!

Step by step he hooked me safely onto the platform and let me through the gate. He checked over my harness - they are very thorough! It was all very reassuring - he was attached, I was attached, he hooked me one hook at a time onto the overhead arrangement which I would use to lower myself to the ground, 150 feet below...

Hold on here he said, arm by your side, ease your grip on the rope to slide faster but don't let go...

I leaned out over the side and gingerly let one leg dangle off the platform, that was it, no going back now, 'that's great' he said 'off you go!' and down I went. I had wondered whether I would swing about, having no wall to push again with my legs, this was a free-fall abseil! I was also worried that I wouldn't have enough strength in my arm to support me but it was all fine and I managed what I thought was a very controlled descent - see, I even know the lingo :-)

So, back to the harness area for a re-fit, before the power fan! I got strapped up by a girl this time, with another young man for afters! Once again I headed for the stairs, up and up I climbed, mental preparation made no difference - it was still a long way!

It's a good job the power fan is last! I was the most nervous for this and pretty sure I would have bottled out had it had been first!

Eventually I make it back up to the top, the vertical ladder again, hanging on and hauling myself up! I walk along the gantry to the bench where the bungee jumpers are waiting. They are with a group jumping for children in need and have raised £1k between them!

I wait my turn and a girl is strapped up for bungee and really doesn't want to do it... I feel for her and am glad that it's not me! After cheering from below and encouragement from her friends she allows herself to be gently pushed off! She screams all the way down but she's fine and her friends are really proud!!

My turn to walk past the bungee point to where the power fan is rigged. The bungee guy tries to make me do the bungee but I resist! Along the gantry the power fan kicking in loudly at intervals enough to make you jump (pardon the pun!). I chat with Gary, a fellow jumper, and am surprised to find myself actually rather calm! I'm not afraid to look down and can see John and the kids far below me. I find myself bopping to the music - I can't help it! I'm excited and shout a loud 'woohoo' everytime someone jumps!!

It's Ian next, my power fan guy. He asks how I'm feeling and I tell him I'm feeling pretty relaxed, considering! Like the rest he is chatty and reassuring. He asks me how come I'm doing this and I explain my 40th challenges and tell him briefly about Amsterdam, the Moonwalk and my naked photos! Am I getting brazen or what??

Ian checks my harness and does the hook-on-hook-off thing, making sure I'm safely strapped to the overhead motorised cable which will kick in a few feet from the floor to ease my landing!

I step to the edge... And I'm off! I scream 'WooooooHooooo' and before I've finished shouting the fan kicks in and I'm on my bum on the floor! I've landed already! The catcher guy helps me up off the floor and grins at me as he undoes my harness! I think I butted him with my helmet but he says he's fine!

It's been amazing! Truly uplifting! I feel confident and able to do anything - apart from a bungee - well, not today anyway...

I hope I've inspired my kids to have a go at something like this and Isaac has already said I was awesome :-)

I loved it... But the adrenaline didn't last long! What's next? :-)

Now I've got no excuse!

I've just set up mobile blogging :-)

Now I've got no excuse!!

No! That's not me!

How bizarre! I just logged in to my blog to see what was my last entry (forgetting how long ago it had been!!) and saw the photo of me as I used to be ... aaarrrggghhh! Scarey!!

That's not me at all - at least I don't feel like it's me! I look so different! Although I did find myself trying to adjust my non-existent glasses the other day!

I much prefer my 'new' self ... although she's not getting much of an outing these days... grand ideas get squished when you wake up and life just smacks you in the face!!

The reason I clicked onto my blog in the first place was reading an email from Leigh, the photographer who did my naked shoot a year ago last September... He and his wife have had some shots taken of themselves for a couples shoot - a new product! Click on this link and see what you think...

Mighty Aphrodite Naked Photo Shoot for Couples...

Would you dare...? I would!

So... will I do?

Wow! Has it really been a year? A whole 12 months since I turned 40??

What an amazing year!

At the beginning of last summer I had a shaggy shapeless mop of hair and had been wearing glasses since the age of seven!

I was a busy working Mum with no time for myself and had been that way for over fifteen years!!

2005

So what is new?

Well... my haircut is new! My contact lens are new! My wardrobe has taken a leap of faith and won and... I even own make-up!!

So what happened? My daughter happened that's what!

We both loved watching Gok Wan and we love his way of changing a girls clothes and making her look again at the way she sees herself.

As my 40th birthday approached I could only focus on the number - it was everywhere, overshadowing everything! I became obsessed with my age and everything else paled into insignificance!

Eventually, my 15 year old daughter Emily suggested that I should have a new haircut and lose the glasses!

So I did!

She came with me to the hairdressers and the hair went! Well not all of it but alot of it! I loved it! Why didn't I do this years ago??

Next I saw the optician and had a contact lens trial which went so well that I started wearing them full-time and haven't looked back since!

After that came the shopping - oh yeah! It's what girls do best!! Previously I had been a frustrated shopper, looking for clothes which covered me up and hid the parts I didn't want to show! But now... I looked for tops which showed my shape, and wasn't afraid of wearing things a little tighter instead of simply picking a larger size!! I tried high heel shoes and it felt good - really good!

I even bought make-up and used it!

The absolute icing on the cake for me was when I went to Reading, got naked in front of a stranger and had him take photos of me! It was the wildest, most scarey thing I had ever done but it was great!!


My confidence soared and I started thinking about my life and about other things I wanted to do...!

I have had many opportunities in my life and I'm ashamed to say that I have passed many of them over through lack of confidence. Missed adventures simply because I was too scared to try!

What did I miss out on? You wanna know what? Well, the biggie, for me was missing out on a weeks sailing trip on a tall masted rigger when I was in the Sea Cadets. I had the chance to sail for a week on T.S. Royalist but they wouldn't let me go when I said I didn't like heights - one of the tasks aboard would be to climb the mast and rig the sails... I regret to this day ever letting on that I was scared!

Another time we were on a camping trip and I had the chance to go abseiling... once again I chickened out for fear of the height! It wasn't even a high one!! What was it with me??

So I decided... I was gonna take the bull by the horns and make my 40th year one to remember!

Life begins at 40 right?

So I wrote a list - yes there is an actual list!

WHAT DID I DO? Oh My God - LOADS!! I don't think I can even remember stuff!
Go Windsurfing - I did this for my birthday on 7th September 2008 - Great fun but Gary had the patience of a Saint!
London Theatre Trip - John took me to see 'Jersey Boys' September 2008, it was a brilliant show and a fantastic start to my year!
Do the Playtex Moonwalk - On 16-17th May 2009 I completed the 26.2 mile power walk and raised £375.50 for Breast cancer Charities!
Amsterdame09 - In June 2009 I cycled 250 miles from York to Amsterdam and back and raised £651.50 for Marie Curie Cancer Care
Great Yorkshire Show - I went for the first time ever and spent the day taking photographs - doesn't sound much to some but I loved it!!

WHAT HAVEN'T I DONE? (Yet...!)

Walk up Snowden - maybe combined with white water rafting??
Abseil Down the Humber Bridge - This is no longer allowed but I do have an abseil challenge planned to replace it!
Attend a Rock Concert - This is definitely gonna happen!!
Have a go on a Climbing Wall - not done yet - its gonna be scarey but I'll do it!
Lose a stone in weight - not holding my breath for this one but you never know!
Indoor Sky-Diving - I haven't done this yet but I will - in fact this is looking like it might be a family trip :-)
Walk the Catbells - a weekend in the Lake District should do it!
Nightclubbing - just never had the opportunity!
Be at the London Eye for New Year 2009 - no tickets booked yet but let's see!!

So, the highs... were the highest, the low was sooo low (there was only one - Battersea Park at about 2.30am on the morning of Sunday 17th May 2009 - but it got better!) - MY WHOLE YEAR WAS AMAZING!!





Thanks John - you have been such a rock in supporting me throughout all of this! I love you I have only one thing left to say ... There ain't no stopping me now!!

New Gadget!

I've just added a new gadget to my blog! It's an Opinion Poll at the bottom of each entry which allows you to click 'like', 'cool' or 'interesting'...

So click, click away, click, click away :-)

PS If you want to read further updates then why not become a follower - then you'll get an email when I do a new entry :-)

Amazing Amsterdame09 - Day Five :-)

For the second time this week we awoke to a multi-lingual (steady now!) greeting and knew it was time to make a move!

This was it - the last day! The final leg of our journey home and the last installment of the adventure!

Time to pack our panniers one more time - funny how we paid less attention to how we stashed it all away!! One more breakfast (they were good breakfasts!), and one more trip down to Deck 7 with all our stuff!!

Upon arriving back at the bikes we saw the carefully tied rope knots and were reminded that we had been expecting a less than calm crossing - we exchanged glances and shrugged, nobody had noticed a thing!

Once again we waited our turn to ride down the ramp, not quite the same without those motorbikes to honk at! We slowly rode down the ramp, the queue at the bottom meant we had to practically stop halfway down!! Shame! No wheee for us today!!

It felt really good to be checking in at British passport control - we had grins on our faces and knew we were one step closer to home! We couldn't wait to get going!

The weather back in the UK was a little dubious as we headed back inland. Once again we carried our bikes over that two storey steel staircase, we rode along the iron walkway, daring to look down into the murky depths, we passed the rocky rubble and reached the Halfords car park - but no Starbucks today!

As the path narrowed I remembered only too well those horrid nettles! I told myself that today, on this last day, I would just ride for my life! So I did! Straight along the path, straight through the nettles, as fast as I could, never daring to look down, on and on they went, seeming higher than before. I waited for stings and pain in my legs and arms but nothing came...

As we came out into the open we slowed and stopped, waiting for everyone else to catch up... I looked down at my legs and saw that they were red, as were my arms, covered all over in raised lumps, nettle stings! We all were! Adrenaline must have kept the pain at bay!

We regrouped and set off again along the open track, leaving the Humber Bridge behind us! Our first break of the day would be back at Brantingham but before we got there we had to tackle one almighty hill!!

After cycling on complete flat this was a massive reality check! The hill was steep and very long and the group soon split into those who went racing off ahead and those who stayed in the 'slow and steady' camp!

The road levelled off and I breathed a sigh of relief... until I realised that the hill continued around the bend and just kept going up...! I felt the energy drain from my legs and I focused on the tarmac beneath my front wheel... I grimaced with effort as my leaden legs pushed against the pedals... I was still moving but at such a slow rate I was amazed I hadn't fallen off!

I got slower and slower...and slower... and had to stop! It just wasn't possible to keep pedalling... I got off my bike and walked... but I wasn't alone... we had cycled so far over the last few days... and somehow it didn't feel like failure!

Finally we reached the top but we knew we were not the last and we looked behind us for signs of the last of our team...

Jaynes helmet rose into sight and she slowly pedalled - yes PEDALLED - into view! She had stayed on her bike the whole way up that darned hill! Every foot of tarmac, every bend in the road, she had stayed on her bike for every inch of it! What a woman! We whooped, honked and cheered for all we were worth! Way to go Jayne!

From that high we cycled the short distance to the Triton pub at Brantingham. It looked very welcoming with its large canopies and familiar benches. We rode in and dismounted... and heard a shout from Lianne! As she cycled round a bench to park up she had hit her ankle on its corner, it was very painful and started swelling almost immediately! All this way without incident and now this... out came the ice-packs and she laid it up on the bench to rest!

Teas and coffees were very welcome and the landlord was very pleased to see us again. In fact he insisted upon taking a group photo in front of the pub before we left.

By the time we set off the temperature had dropped and a few of us had donned our waterproof jackets... wet and cold just didn't appeal! From here on in the route followed along country roads and we cycled along in groups happily chatting away! On the very next pause I took off my waterproof which had proved unnecessary and I also took the chance to ring home and tell John about the landlords photo - he said he'd check the website for us!

Yet again we were making excellant speed, heading towards Howden for our lunch! Sometimes when the road was busy we had to stay in single file but mostly we were able to chat and we were back to our habit of moving up and down the line, chatting and then moving along...

Howden soon came upon us and we cycled into the car park of the pub. There was plenty of space but no racks of course so we leaned the bikes against the wall, sometimes 3-4 deep, and locked them with multiple bike locks!

Our early arrival caused a little consternation however as the chips weren't due to be ready until 1.30pm and although the sandwiches were visible, covered up on trays, they wouldn't serve us until the chips were done!! We still had 45 minutes to wait!! We were sooo hungry!

With it being the last day I allowed myself a lunchtime drink (I know, quite the daredevil!). One fruit cider later (!) and the chips were finally ready - we made a bee-line for the food! It didn't last long though and Rich had to ask them for more!!

Next door to the pub is Candy Andy's - well known as a most amazing sweetie shop! As word spread the girls popped out and Candy Andy's rapidly filled up with ladies happily stuffing paper bags with goodies galore and liquorice sticks of every colour!!

With sweets safely stored it was time to hit the road but not before I had a call from John to say that the landlord from the Triton had indeed put up the photograph of us on his website and a lovely write-up too :-)

Helmets on, locks off and we honked for all we were worth... locals must have wondered what on earth was going on!!

The route to York from Howden was a convoluted one and the road we took held a surprise for one of our team... a lady ran out with her baby to say hello as word reached her we were passing by, tears welled up from most of us as they hugged.

The road led on along familiar territory, a route I had cycled with my children, a route which I knew would pass through my village, within yards of home, at a time when I knew my daughter would be there...

Next time we paused I quickley rang and she said she would come out to see us...

Along the riverbank we cycled, through gates and stiles, in single file, until we grouped at last to take the village!

The team were great, and knowing how excited I was to see my girl again, they put me at the front...

From the back I heard... give me an 'E'... give me an 'M'...give me an 'I'...'L'...'Y'...

...and then there she was, my beautiful girl, sitting by the church, she stood to meet us and I almost dropped my bike in my haste to hug her! I wrapped my arms around her and held on tight! I had missed her so much and this adventure, this amazing, challenge had made me realise just what I could be and I just wanted to share it with her...

'Hey Em...' Lisa called and Emily went to hug her, 'and me' called Lianne... 'and me' called Jayne... she hugged them all! Tears flowed and the lump in my throat was huge!! One more brief hug and we set off again, she would be there tonight...at the finish!!

I was on such a high! With renewed energy I pedalled on, fighting back the tears! I felt so proud, what a fantastic day! I waved at my friend passing by in her car, I waved at Ron, sitting as always by the window in his house... what a day!

We cycled on to the next village and honked at the people we saw, we waved and cheered and honked some more!! What a rush!!

The plan was for all three teams to meet up at The Drovers Inn, Skipwith, so that we could cycle to York as one team! We were the first to arrive at the pub and felt like we deserved a treat so we four bought a bottle of Rose between us and enjoyed it outside in the sunshine!

Sadly Skipwirth would be the last stop of the journey for Lianne as she had to travel to Manchester that night... she would not be able to finish the ride with us! We had come so far, had such good times, shared such fun and such laughter... it seemed so unfair!

As we sipped our rose a silver car pulled into the car park, it was Russ come to collect Lianne. We left her to have her own reunion and then we all piled in for hugs too! It was definitely share and share alike when it came to hugs on this ride! She had been fantastic company and her presence at the end would be missed!

While she was loading her bike and luggage into the car we plotted a fond farewell and as Russ drove her away he had to pass through two lines of girls, all in daffodil yellow, all clapping and cheering and waving her off... I don't know if she was crying, but I know I was!!

Friends and family had been briefed to expect us back at McArthur Glen at about 6pm but Rich warned us that we were likely to be there early! We all made hasty phone calls to alert those who needed to know!

A photo call was made and Rich gathered up all the cameras while we posed as a team in front of the pub. His arm was weighed down with cameras and we all sat grinning until everyones camera had a photo taken on it! Thanks Rich x

Now this time when we set off we really did look a sight - 54 of us, cycling along, singing any tune which happened to come in our heads, even a part of a tune or a chorus would be enough to get us all joining in! We had 'You'll Never Walk Alone' amongst others, and 'Here Come the Girls' which seemed to have become a kind of anthem for the trip!

What with singing and the honky horns you would have thought it was Day One not Day Five :-) The energy was amazing and we were fair racing along...

As we approached McArthur Glen we stopped just a little way before the car park... adrenaline was pumping and we were singing 'Dancing Queen' at the tops of our voices... just around the corner family and friends were waiting and we could barely contain ourselves...

Rich said a few words at this point but for the life of me I can't remember what they were!! I was so excited, so proud, so energised, so happy... so many emotions all at once...

Well, we rode into that car park like we'd been away for a month! We honked, and cheered, and woohoo'd our way into the car park as fast as we could pedal!! Everyone cheered and clapped and waved and we all just dropped our bikes and ran to hug everyone!!

The din was incredible but the atmosphere was electric! Everyone was hugging and crying and it was the most amazing thing I have ever been a part of! Family and friends now gave way to team-mates and girls were hugging each other... there was much back slapping and signing of shirts... we were all on such a high!

John had brought with him six bottles of champagne and it wasn't long before there were scenes reminiscent of a Grand Prix win! Champagne was being sprayed everywhere and over everyone! Balloons were bouncing around and we were all buzzing!!

Team photos were needed and we all posed in rows whilst cameras clicked from every direction! In a moment of madness Lisa grabbed a bottle of champagne and ran between the ride guides pouring it over their heads!! We all screamed with laughter and the moment was priceless!

One by one people started to leave, some were being driven home, some had to drive themselves, some had just a short way to go but others had miles before they got home... all of us thinking the same...

What a fantastic thing we had done! We had just reason to be proud of ourselves and for me it was the biggest, and the best thing I have ever taken part in!

I loved it, every minute of it! And I would do it again in a heartbeat :-)



We rode from York to Amsterdam,
All the way there and back again,
We had good times, we made good friends,
We wished the journey would never end ...

We came together from near and far,
To challenge ourselves and raise the bar,
Raising money, the means to an end,
Teams irrelevant now! Just friends!

Amazing Amsterdame09 - Day Four :-)

Day Four - Amsterdam to Rotterdam, the homeward journey begins!

It was hard to believe that this fantastic journey was already coming to an end! Not that we were home yet, far from it, but we were starting our return journey and for many of us it felt like the beginning of the end.

With our panniers full and the room left empty, we trooped downstairs to claim our bikes and get them packed up and ready to go. We clamoured for the pump to gas up the tyres and once again excited chatter filled the air!

One by one the teams assembled ready for the off! We wished each other well for the days first leg... the teams wouldn't meet again until lunchtime!

We set off the way we had come, through the trees and along the paths of Fondel Park. This time there were no family barbeques, no music, and no children playing. It was Monday morning and the rush hour was upon us!

Rush hour in Amsterdam is so different to the UK - their rush hour is busy with bikes! Loads of them, everywhere you look! They ride along the woodland paths as if it's a highway! Dressed to impress the riders wear business suits and we even saw a briefcase balanced on the handlebars!

Ladies in chique long skirts and fitted jackets seemed to pedal effortlessly along with surprising speed! It was quite surreal! They of course knew exactly how to use the road and who should give way to whom at crossroads... we didn't and there were a couple of near misses - which were only misses because the Dutch cyclists were so adept at manoevering!!

Once out of the park we found ourselves back on the streets, weaving in and out of the traffic and watching for stop lights which broke up our lines!

As we left the bustle of the city behind we rode along without break or interruption. Back along the canalside, cycling once again past those immaculate houses... but this time there was nobody to honk at! No smiling faces sitting in the sun, no happy laughter from families messing about in boats!

In fact one of the few people we saw that morning was a skater, in-line skating his way along our length, passing us at speed and then coming back in the other direction! It seemed he was using this stretch of road as his track and he glided smoothly along exchanging hellos as he went! We must have passed him several times in each direction before we were off his training route...

We stopped at the small cafe we'd found on the way in and were glad to stop for tea! I was having a gloves issue resulting in tingling fingers, a problem I'd not felt before, so was pleased to take them off! I left them off when we got going again but wished I hadn't as the pressure on my palms wasn't good! I put them quickly on again at the first opportunity!

Back through the towns and along the canals, looking for the familiar sight that was Valkenburg Meer. And then there it was! We had made excellant time and the water was as blue and sparkling as it had been that first time! This time we were first to arrive and we had the pleasure of honking and whooping as the other teams rode in :-)

Soon we were all together again, sitting, chatting and munching :-)

An hour passed and lunch was done and it was time to set off again! Honky horns sounded as we waved and cheered! Pedalling ferrywards! Passing open countryside and windmills as we went...

The afternoon was kind to us and the sun shone brightly. Occasionally we had shelter from the canopy of trees but often the sun was relentless on our backs!

It didn't feel at all like we were speeding along but once again we made good time and we surprised ourselves as we arrived in Delft for afternoon tea!

Perfect! Sitting in the sunshine outside a small cafe, enjoying coffee and cake, chatting with friends - how amazing is this??

After what felt like ages we had to hit the road again, heading closer to Rotterdam and the ferry home...

We had just nine miles to go to reach the small ferry, then another nine miles to the big one! As we pedalled on there were more and more people about and the honky horns ruled once more!

Bikes once again prevailed as we saw students leaving school. They asked questions and wished us good luck. At one point we were cycling along a narrow path, bordered on both sides by green fields. The path was obviously a popular route home from school and as we passed a line of boys, cycling in the opposite direction, they held up their hands and we hit high-fives as we passed!

Soon the familiar red brick roads came into view and once again we rode along quiet residential streets, just the occasional honk this time to an unsuspecting bunch of workers paving the road!

The houses soon disappeared and we found ourselves alongside the turbines, slowly turning way above our heads! Under the underpass, winding around, we knew we were close... and then there it was...the ferry terminal with the Pride of Rotterdam gleaming in the sunshine!

Being the first to arrive and needing everyone present before checking in, we decided that the only course of action was to find a pub! So we did! There was plenty of outside seating and it gave us chance to sit and relax with a great vantage point for when the other two teams rode in!

The buzz was huge! The other customers realised they were being invaded and so we soon had the patio to ourselves! We chatted and laughed and took photos! We rang home and passed the news!

Now I had one more challenge to face before the day was over! The ferry ramp! It had beaten me at Hull and now I was determined to get all the way up, on my bike, pedalling ALL THE WAY!

Passport control wasn't too bad and we got through without incident. I took a deep breath and started pedalling! The ramp is a killer! It is so steep and that bend halfway just about finished me off! I just kept pedalling, forcing my feet to push one at a time! It felt like I was going so slowly that I would just wobble off!! But somehow I made it! WooHoo!! I honky-honked the ferryman at the top - he must have thought I was crackers!

As we unloaded the bikes we were told to lash them to the railings with the rope which was sitting in bundles along the row. We looked at each other and guessed we were in for a rough crossing!

We collected our baggage and made our way from Car Deck 7 up to Cabin Deck 10. Different cabin but same beds and same routine!

Showered and changed and ready for tea we headed to the restaurant. 'Do you know what?' we asked ourselves, 'WE DESERVE CHAMPAGNE!' and why not? We ordered not one but TWO bottles of bubbly and had the waiter serve it at the table...

The meal was excellant and we were truly stuffed! Too full really to go dancing but somehow we managed it :-) The showbar was where we headed next and a great gaggle of girls (with the occasional ride guy) made for great company! The chatter went on until the early hours, making good use of the time difference (we gained an hour going back!).

I headed off to bed a little before the others, and did in fact wish I'd stayed a little longer, but I took the chance to write once again in my journal, notes for the day...

Amazing Amsterdame09 - Day Three :-)

The cycle ride to Amsterdam had been amazing! And now here we are! In this bustling city with its canals, bars and saucy streetlife! We were tired but the excitement outshone everything else and we were keen to get into the hostel, unpack and get out and about!

We parked our bikes in a very clever two-tier bike rack and found our way upstairs to the room we would share for two nights. It had everything we could need including an en-suite loo and a separate decent-sized shower room! We even had TWO electric sockets!!

Sleeping arrangements stayed the same and we were soon unpacked and showered, ready for adventure!

Just a short walk away was a small plaza with an Irish Bar which looked warm and welcoming, I think others had been before on prior trips. The main man there was called Stanley and even though it was late by the time we arrived he agreed to accept a food order, I'm not sure his kitchen staff felt the same!

We had a great meal, sitting on high stools around a tall table. The pub had great atmosphere and we chatted and ate for ages...
After we got back to the hostel we decided to go and get a drink in their own bar before bed, It was cheaper than being out and we girls got a jug of Tequila Sunrise between us!! It lasted surprisingly well and soon the hostel staff chased us off to bed by closing everything down... but we stayed up as long as could ;-)

The new day dawned sunny and bright and with no alarm to wake us we awoke contented and with thoughts of breakfast!

The continental offering was strangely satisfying, although I had to force myself away from thoughts of a bacon buttie!

Amsterdam was calling us and it wasn't long before we were out on foot patrol!! Jayne & Lianne, Matt, Gary, Lisa and me! We had quite fancied seeing the Rijksmuseum but the queue was horrendous and so we chose the Costa Diamond museum instead! We saw an amazing selection of sparkling jewels, glittering rings and necklaces, we were allowed to try them on too... but the room wasn't unlocked until we had removed them ALL!!

Happily we meandered through the streets, the sun was shining, the girls were smiling and everything was good! We even managed a spot of shopping - mindful of the fact that we would have to carry anything we bought!

We found a cafe in a large square and stopped for lunch. We laughed and chattered until the food arrived and then tucked in! As we sat there in the sunshine it suddenly dawned on me ... we were sitting having lunch in a cafe in Amsterdam ... and we CYCLED here!! Cycled! On our bikes! From England to Holland, York to Amsterdam! I got a lump in my throat and knew I'd remember that moment...

The food was gorgeous and perfect fuel for the afternoons adventuring. We decided it would be fun to take a trip around the canals and found one which left quite soon - keen as we were to make the most of every minute :-)
The canal trip lasted 75 minutes and was really an eye opener! Did you know that they have massive ocean-going liners moored up in Amsterdam??? They have a bike park, like a huge multi-story but just for bikes, hundreds of them!!

The houses along the canals are all so different and so beautiful! The architecture was so detailed and everything immaculate!

Did you know that the trees along the canals are all Dutch Elm because their roots grow straight down and won't compromise the canal walls! Did you also know that they change the water in the canals twice each year!

The others were happily chatting away but I preferred to be out the back, in the open, watching and clicking away... my camera was in overdrive! Everywhere I looked there were images to capture! I was in my element!!

A million photos later the boat arrived back at its berth and Jayne and Lianne took the chance for a quick siesta back at the hostel while Lisa, Gary, Matt and myself found ourselves back at the Irish bar - Stanley came to take our order! We enjoyed a cappuchino and a bask in the sunshine, taking time to absorb the atmosphere and chill...

In the afternoon sunshine Gary & Lisa slipped away to the park to while away an hour or so, I wandered back to the room to find Jayne and Lianne still fast asleep. Downstairs the hostel lounge was empty, apart from a guy using their internet station, so I got myself a drink and took the time to catch up on my journal.

Usually when I'm away I write a journal every day. All the good stuff, all the fun! This trip had seen only enough time to make notes, literally just words, thoughts, places and people, anything that jogged my memory of where and when and how... but even this had left me with over two pages of notes for each day!!

Back in the room the girls were awake and we all freshened up, ready for our night on the town!

The plan was to meet downstairs at 6.30 and head off towards the Red Light District ... well when in Amsterdam...

We were joined by Sandra, Lorna, Joanne & Nic giving us a good-sized group of ten. Together we took a tram to Dam Square and wandered along, trying not to stare into wacky baccy cafes...

After a bar-stop for a drink and a chat with a very exuberant American and his family, we moved on and managed to find an Italian restaurant to eat in.

After leaving the restaurant the streets were even more packed and the darkness showed up the lighted windows and the neon strips which decorated every shop, cinema and bar!

It seems that hubbies were in for a treat and we scoured the shops looking for suitable DVD's!! Mission acomplished and what a treat - the guy in the shop gave us each a small whip to play with and keep ... what a giggle!!

We all had a certain curiosity about the famed Red Light Area and as Jayne seemed to know most about it she seemed to be our guide! 'Would you like to see more ladies?' she asked as we wound our way along...

Back by the main street with its canal we heard a commotion and a naked guy was riding a bike along the street to whooping and cheering from the crowd. We heard he was soon arrested but it was a distraction as we soon realised that we had lost Nic! Where was she? We had all been wandering along, in two's and threes, watching windows and giggling! But Nic was no longer with us!

We stopped and backtracked and soon she was found! Safe again we linked arms and all stayed together - Matt posted himself at the back as rear guard! Nice one Matt :-)

The excitement over we headed back to Dam Square for the Tram and as we walked along we found ourselves chatting with some guys who were also staying at the hostel. They were in the Canadian wheelchair basketball team and were over here for a tournament. They admitted that they had been chatting to the red light girls about the 'services' available to guys in wheelchairs. We were informed that everything was 'very satisfactory'!!

We all got the same tram but the driver was a little hasty in setting off and we all lurched violently - good job the guys had their brakes on!!

Back at the hostel we retired... to the bar! Just for a nightcap, Southern Comfort and lemonade, with a dabble of chatter and a good laugh, before bed!

Amazing Amsterdame09 - Day Two :-)

So, here we were, having cycled about 50 miles from York to Hull, excited and tired and ready for a good nights sleep...and did we get one?

No, we didn't!

The bed was hard and uncomfortable, the cabin was hot and airless and at one point in the night I felt sure the propellers had hit something or we had maybe even run aground...I held my breath and waited... scenes from Titanic flew through my head...but nobody screamed, no sirens were heard so I assured myself that it had been my imagination! By morning I knew must have slept a while as the 6am bingbong (in various languages!!) woke me up!

All four of us had not slept well and we forced ourselves to get up, pack our bags and go down for breakfast! Once fed and with water bottles filled we went down to the car deck to unleash the bikes ready for the ride from Rotterdam to Amsterdam!



Several cars were already sitting with their engines running and the fumes became quite heavy. The ferrys' huge tailgate lowered slowly down and disembarkation began. Beside us was a lane of motocycles - big ones! They started their engines and the roar was fantastic! The growl from those magnificent machines echoed round the car deck ... we loved it! We honked our horns and rang our bells, we shouted WooHoo and the bikers honked and shouted back :-) I had tears streaming down my cheeks, I was loving it!



At last it was our turn ... we pedalled off the ferry and free-wheeled down the long ramp to passport control - and promptly joined a 5 lane queue to get out of the terminal! What a wait - it took us about an hour to get through but once at the other side we were soon on our way!

Of course we had to remember to cycle on the right hand side but it wasn't hard as we all followed Rich - as long as he stayed right then so did we! (No pressure Rich!)

The route took us alongside a wide river and beside several wind turbines! In a few short miles we needed to take a ferry and had to scrabble around for enough euro coins between us to pay the ferryman! Once over the river we set off again - headed towards our first real windmill - we could see its sails in the distance!

We were soon pedalling along red brick roads with picturesque canals down the middle. Tall, ornate houses bunched up along the sides, tables and chairs decorated the sidewalks.

The route led us partly through residential streets, what a sight we must have been! A gaggle of girls in daffodil yellow, honking at everyone and shouting WooHoo!! Confused Dutch people waved and called 'hello' in an assortment of languages - wondering who we were and what on earth we were doing cycling down their road!!

We pedalled out into open fields and passed picturesque farms, canals and windmills. We passed walkers, joggers and cyclists. People of all ages out and about enjoying the fresh air ... it was great!

We were headed towards Valkenburg Meer for lunch - a scheduled stop of about 1hr. We cycled through Delft and on to Den Haag. The city was hard to follow sometimes as we turned this way and that, trusting Rich and following each other, chatting and honking as we went along.

I remember a man coming out of a shop carrying a large basket of fresh loaves, Lisa honked and shouted 'Nice Bread!' the man grinned back and shouted 'nice arse!'.

We stopped when we had to but so often we had right of way - that was so cool! All the traffic giving way to a long line of yellow topped ladies, all of us waving an unnecessary thankyou to the bewildered traffic and honking yet again :-) It was brilliant!!

At the railway station we stopped for a break. We bought ice-cold coke from the shop and drank it down, it was a hot day and we were glad of the long cold drink - the fizz really hit the spot!

Back on the bikes again and on to Valkenburg Meer! What a sight! Cool green grass to sit on and a beautiful blue lake glittering in the sun!! Another team were there already and honked madly as we rode in. Of course we honked in reply!!

We ate a fantastic lunch from P&O whilst watching windsurfers and canoeists along the waters edge! The sarnies were great but the large fresh muffin filled with lemon curd was gorgeous!

Refuelled and eager, we were ready for the off... and I do mean that! I was loving this bike ride, this fun, exciting bike ride! I was loving it! And I was ready to go again!

The afternoon took us along the main canal up to Amsterdam. It was a beautiful road and much like the Norfolk Broads. Beautiful houses, each one different and very well kept, bordered the route. It was Saturday and people were out in their gardens or messing about in boats! Every house had a jetty with some form of craft, whether it was a small dinghy or a shiny motor launch!

Honking and shouting we rode along! What a hoot! Kids on bikes rode alongside asking where we were headed. We chatted and honked, honked and chatted! It was brilliant!

Mid-afternoon we stopped at a small cafe and some of the girls took advantage of the friendly bar man and learned to ask for a lager-shandy in Dutch (snae-weiss 'snow white')!

Back on the road again but we soon found ourselves in the heart of Amsterdam! Busy roads gave way to green parks as we followed the popular paths through the citys green spaces. Everywhere we went there were families and groups of friends, sitting on the grass with barbeques! There was music and chatter and children playing! There was even bunting in the trees!

For an excited group of girls with honky horns we needed no encouragement!! We honked and honked for all we were worth, we shouted and waved and it was fantastic!!

On and on we rode, getting faster round every bend, soaking up the atmosphere, knowing we were close... and then there it was!

The hostel suddenly appeared out of the trees and we were there!! WooHoo just didn't even scratch the surface! The noise was deafening! Honky-horns, shouting and whooping filled the air! We were laughing and crying all at once!!

It was an amazing feeling! We hugged and high-fived, we took photos and hugged again! We rang home and passed the word 'we made it!'

Amazing Amsterdame09 - Day One :-)

Wow! What on earth happened to the time-space continuum?
I am convinced that somebody somewhere is messing with my quota!!

On 12th June I set off on what was the most amazing adventure and now all of a sudden I'm not only back home, but several weeks have passed and Amsterdam may as well have been a year ago!!

So what do I do? Well of course I blog!

Now you and I both know that I should have been blogging the minute I got back but I was on such a high that I couldn't sit still for the life of me!!

So now I'm looking at the journal I kept whilst away but even that is in note form because so much happened that I didn't have time every night to write it in full!!

So where do I start?
At the beginning of course...

Friday 12th June 2009 - McArthur Glen Designer Outlet
We arrived in good time - John & I in the Volvo with the bike, its panniers and my one-small-rucksack in the boot and Isaac squashed in what remained of the back seat! Luckily Emily had been able to hitch a lift with Leanne who was also coming to wave me off :-)

Mum & Dad arrived soon afterwards and my Moonwalk buddy Val also came along! I felt quite special having such a send-off party!

We didn't get much time to chat though as there were rucksacks to load into the support cars, Marie Curie cycling tops to collect, bikes to check over (one last time!) and loo visits to make!

Gaz and Craz soon had us lining up for a team photo and there were so many of us that we all had to turn sideways to fit in the picture :-)



That done we split into teams and for the first time saw the rest of the girls we would be riding with. Nerves were kicking in and I hardly dare speak for fear of my voice failing me - I had a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes (thank heavens for sunglasses!).

Don't get me wrong - I wasn't upset or frightened - just incredibly excited!! I wasn't even anxious at leaving John and the kids - I knew they would be fine - maybe I should have felt bad at leaving them - but the excitement was overwhelming and I never once had any regrets!

The teams set off at 5 minute intervals - a group of 54 cyclists all in a bunch would have caused havoc with the traffic!! A wide yellow ribbon was stretched across the exit and one by one the teams set off to waving, cheering, shouting and wooping and with more than a generous honking of horns!!

I must have had the biggest grin on my face as we set off - I had signed up for this trip more than 9 months ago and now it was here!! I was so up for it!!

From McArthur Glen we took the smaller roads and cycle tracks to Escrick and then across towards Wheldrake. We honked our horns at everyone we saw and got waves and sometimes clapping and cheering in return :-) As we cycled past a village school the children were out and we all honked as loud as we could. The children shouted and pointed - it was great!

People in gardens, guys up ladders, pedestrians and fellow cyclists - they all got the honky horn treatment!

The weather was perfect - brilliant sunshine, barely a cloud in the sky! Put suncream on John had said - I will I said! Later!

Lunch was scheduled for a pub in Market Weighton and one by one the three teams arrived... cold drinks from the bar then sarnies and hot fresh chips! Just the job!!

From there we headed over towards Hull, winding our way along the back roads and keeping away from heavy traffic where possible. We found a few hills along the way and I did wonder what I had let myself in for as my bike just didn't seem to gear down low enough...

Mid-afternoon we stopped at The Trident Inn at Brantingham, They have a gorgeous front terrace and we all piled in to order teas! Bikes were abandoned against any upright pillar or post as we all settled in - happy to rest our bums on something other than a bike seat!

The next stretch would take us through to the ferry and we were getting very excited! The chatter had kept us on a high the whole day and we couldn't believe how well we had done for time! The average speed was about 12-13mph, nothing like the 5-8mph we'd been led to believe!

We came to an open grassed cycle route which followed the Humber estuary, what a feeling that was - to see the Humber Bridge stretching out over the water - photo opportunity!! We all dismounted and got into 'team formation', Rich collected everyones camera and took photo after photo, moving cameras from one arm to the next until they had all been done. Come on girls, the next team's catching us up :-)



The next stretch of the route was to prove somewhat of a challenge...

Firstly the track became very wild and was totally unkept. The grass grew longer, disguising thistles and nettles, brambles grew everywhere! The track narrowed to only 8 inches wide, stony and hard and with a tall bank of nettles on either side!

Now I didn't know that I was bothered by nettles but I had a real problem cycling through them! I slowed right down and tried to pick my way between them, protecting my bare legs from their stingers, it took so long and I know the girls behind me would rather that I just push on and cycle through - but I just couldn't do it! I was terrified of wobbling off and falling full on into the bed of nettles! I hated it!

After a seemingly endless ordeal the track cleared and a concrete walkway came into view - graffitti and iron railings seemed a welcome exchange!

At one point the cycleway involved carrying our bikes (with panniers!!) up two flights of steel stairs and cycling along a narrow steel walkway over the top of old factory buildings near the fish docks. Then of course we had to get the bikes down the other side! The steel walkway continued over water filled locks, with only intermittent posts hung with chain to stop us falling in!!!

Eventually the concrete and graffitti returned and just a little further on we saw the ferry - what a sight! There she was the 'Pride of Rotterdam' resting at her berth, waiting for us!

WoooHooo! Honk-honk-honk! The noise was incredible and we all pedalled like fury!!

After a well organised run through Passport Control we headed for the legendary ramp - oh yes - we had heard tales of this ramp! It takes you up onto the ferry in one long, steep, continous curve, with a viscious bend just where you wouldn't want one when you're partway up a steep hill on a push bike!!

I didn't make it!! I gave up just after that viscious bend and walked up! What a killer! I resolved to cycle it next time ... ALL the way up!!

On board the ferry the bikes had to be parked along a lane with railings each side. We locked them together in twos and threes, removed all panniers, lights, pumps and handlebar bags and then went to the support cars to reclaim our rucksacks too.

Ladened down with baggage we had to navigate from the car deck on Level 7 to the cabins on Level 10!! Well I have to admin that we four took the lift!!

The cabin, when we found it, was actually larger than expected (yes really!) but only because the two upper bunks were folded up into the ceiling, one lower bunk was hidden in the wall and the other was disguised as a sofa - so basically it was a very small sitting room with a bathroom in it!!

We all piled in and dumped our bags and had the 'who sleeps where' discussion! That was soon sorted though, Jayne and Lianne underneath, Lisa and I on top ;-) Easy!

Time for showers and getting the gladrags on (for those who had been efficient enough to bring any!). It was a surprisingly smooth arrangement and certainly no time for shyness but it worked well and we were soon ready!

Tea was quite a grand affair and the food was lovely - an excellant choice with a great carvery and help-yourself service on everything else which was great ;-) We even had posh ice-cream for afters!

After tea we had a wander round and checked out the duty-free before meeting up with the others in the bar.

I took some timeout to ring home on the satellite phone as my mobile had no service by now!

I had been looking forward to a bracing walk on the deck but they don't really have a deck on these modern ferries - I had been thinking of a walk right around the outside, gripping the handrail to save being blown about but unfortunately a very small area at the stern was all there was - and of course that was where the smokers gathered!! Ah well!

Back in the bar we indulged in a few drinks and had a dance and a chatter but soon enough we all retired to bed, discussing who would charge their phone first from the only socket! We reminded each other of the bing-bong wake-up call we would get in the morning...

8 sleeps to go...

I always knew that there was only four short weeks between Moonwalk and Amsterdam but this is proving to be the quickest four weeeks of my life!!

I've barely done any cycling since I got back from London - being certain that there was plenty of time... oops! My mistake!

My EHIC card arrived today - I ordered it in a panic on-line on Monday! (Good job they're on the ball!)...

...and I finally got travel insurance sorted out - got that on-line too! Printed my own certificate and everything - isn't technology fab :-)

BUT ... one drama this week! I suddenly realised that I have knobbles and I should be smooth!! Aaarrrggghhh!!!

NOT ME!!! MY TYRES!!

I emailed Rich in a panic having re-read an earlier email and he gives me the advice that I really needed to know ... it is possible to do it on knobbly tyres but it's a whole load easier not to!!!

Noooooooooooooooo! I've not done a massive amount of training but it has ALL been done on knobbly tyres!! Now it looks like I need to pop in to Wheelies and get two new tyres - smooth roadies! Along with three spare inner tubes - just in case!

I've been on ebay too - oh boy that's a dangerous place! I'm now eagerly waiting delivery of a handlebar bag, a gel seat cover (just in case!!), a 'wicking' cycle top AND a set of two fleece towels specially designed for travellers!!!

The best thing is that Ebay had forseen my involvement in these mad fantasties and seen fit to send me an assortment of money off vouchers and percentage discounts to make my purchases fantastic bargains!! WooHoo!

Anyway, back to reality - I'm having my photo taken by the Pocklington Post tomorrow ... watch out for me in next Thursdays edition!!

Moonwalk 2009 - Walking the Walk

I awoke on the morning of 16th May with the biggest butterflies in my stomach! I felt nervy and anxious... the guidelines said to spend the morning stretching and relaxing but no time for that! I had to get on... there were kids to take and pick up on the usual saturday morning run-arounds, my bumbag to check, my 'other' bag to pack and re-pack...

Anyway, after all of that my stomach was still very unsettled and I had to forgo my lunch - I just couldn't keep it down! This wasn't good as I would need the energy later but there was nothing I could do but hope that I'd feel better by tea-time and eat something then...

The train was due to leave Selby train station at 3.42pm and as we were waiting on the platform we had a surprise send off from My brother, Ian, his wife Louise and their son Sam - who had brought us a bun each that he had made for us to eat on the train! Bless Him! That bun proved to be the starter for my appetite to return...

The train picked up more Moonwalkers at each station - easy to tell from the array of pink caps and bra T-shirts :-) We even got two mentions from the on-board announcer! Even the solitary chap sitting across the aisle wished us good luck as we got off at Kings Cross!

We got a cuppa and found ourselves a place on the station concourse, waiting for the rest of our team! The pink caps multiplied quickly as each new train arrived and the station was alive with excited chatter!!

Once we were all together we set of for the tube and the escalators were even more densly packed with pink caps! I heard a man tell his boy "Look at all the Moonwalkers" - it made me proud!

After a very welcome take-away sandwich we decided to get changed and after seeing the queue for the loos we all squashed into a disabled toilet! It was a giggle but no time to be bashful!!

And so it began... as we made our way back onto the tube to get to Hyde Park we attracted grins, stares and wolf whistles! I'm not ashamed to say I liked it!

As we got out at Hyde Park Corner there was just a sea of pink caps and fancy bras!! The chatter had reached an all time high and we were all buzzing :-)

The queue to register was huge but moved along rapidly and at last we were there - Playtex City! A huge pink Big Top with two rows of 9 turrets!! The periphery was home to an array of tents and marquees all labelled with the appropriate colours and purpose - we were yellow and therefore destined to be off first!!


As we made our way in there were official photographers waiting to take our picture, marshalls handing out space blankets and rain capes and there were even stiltwalkers welcoming us to this amazing event!

In Playtex City we found a place to call camp and dumped our bags. We creamed our feet, applied plasters in all the appropriate places and enjoyed the entertainment! There were singers and a live band and the mood was great! The costumes and bras were fantastic and some people had gone to so much trouble!! Just in front of us were a team of about 8 ladies dressed as clowns, with hula-hoop trousers and wigs and everything! We later saw them on the way around and they still had full costumes on!!

The race wasn't closed to men but they had to wear a decorated bra and join in the spirit of it all! There were some men but not many - one guy - it was his 40th birthday that day! One guy was walking for his wife... One guy was walking with his daughter... you can imagine their stories...

A hot pasta meal was provided and was actually rather good - although I must admit I couldn't manage it all! As the evening wore on we started to get restless and were really just ready to get started! At one point the queue for the loo was 30 minutes long!

They announced that there would be 17,000 of us walking and the start-time was rescheduled for 11.15pm. We listened to the talk and the explanation of why we were there and we had a minutes silence for those who could not be with us...then it was bending and stretching and ready for the off...

Then there we were - standing at the start - counting down 10, 9, 8... the rush was incredible! Fortunately the decorated bras made it easier to spot our team and we managed to weave through other walkers and try to get ahead of the crowd. Alot of us had the same idea!! London traffic was carrying on as normal and as we got to the first of many road crossings the traffic was held back by police and marshalls... horns honked and people cheered!

I took a stumble early on and then my lace came undone - I had to stop to tie it and then run to catch up with my team! We were going at a fair old pace I can tell you - it felt like more than 4mph - my maximum pace during training and a helluva walking pace at any time!!

We walked under Marble Arch, rising above us in the darkness, all that could be seen of the walkers was a swarming mass of reflective cap bands and space blankets tied to our bumbags!

As we walked the river of ladies started to thin out and each road crossing thinned us even more! Soon our team got separated by a road crossing, four managed to cross and two of us were held back ... that would be the last we saw of them until after we finished!

The traffic was honking and waving and voices were shouting as we walked along, people on the footpath cheered and egged us on - you would never believe how many people are out and about in London in the early hours!!

We strode out past Horseguards Parage and saw the London Eye all lit up behind, Big Bens Clock Tower, the white dome of St. Pauls, it was like an eerie late night sightseeing tour...

We passed the 6 mile marker and Val pointed that we only had 20.2 miles left to do and we had done a 20 mile walk in training and so knew we could do that! We strode out and felt really good...

All kinds of folk were lining the streets - not in any great numbers but regularly and often... lads in football shirts were sitting atop a wall shouting and cheering... couples out walking would wish us luck... as we walked along the Enbankment clubbers came out from the floating nightclubs and shouted and clapped as we went by... it was amazing!

The half-moon was due to finish after 13.1 miles and we had decided to not stop for a toilet break until after they had left the route. This would mean shorter queues and hopefully less interruption to the walking. Battersea Park was therefore the first 'milestone' in my mind...

We passed along a riverbank lined with trendy restaurants and bars, all closed and in silence. The trees in the courtyards hung with bright white and blue fairy lights - beautiful and maybe left on for our occasion? Further along we saw a businessman in suit and overcoat, lingering between two colums in the shadows - waiting just to wish us luck? Or grateful for our presence - an excuse for him being there?

We reached the 10 mile marker at 2am and felt pleased with our progress ... but unfortunately my feet had other ideas as I developed blisters on my toes!! I had never had blisters whilst training!! They were very painful but I was determined not to let them slow me down - I had set myself a time of between 7-8 hours to finish and fully intended to do it!!

My bra started rubbing under my arm and got very sore - good job I had brought a small pot of vaseline in my bumbag - I resolved to apply a liberal smearing once I stopped at Battersea!!

My lack of food also began to take effect and I soon felt sick and aching - I was beginning to wonder why I had bothered with all the training - it felt like it had served no purpose at all!

By the time we reached Battersea I was at a real low... my feet were killing me, my bra was rubbing and making me really sore and to top it all I had no energy and felt really sick! I foolishly allowed myself to sit on a curb edge and almost immediately wished I hadn't!

After a few minutes rest and a welcome interaction with the vaseline I forced myself up and started moving around. I had an energy tablet - 57p a packet - bargain!!

As we set off again the marshalls offered us pieces of orange or banana - I chose banana for the energy but it was a bad choice...

I was not about to give up but couldn't believe that I was only half-way!! The only way forward was to walk through it... I forced myself into a fair pace and set off - I have to thank Val massively at this point as she kept me going and didn't allow me to wallow in self-pity!!

As the night got darker some parts of the walk were very quiet and it was in these times when it was hard not to think of the aching and the blisters! Sometimes we were all chatty and it kept the mind on track but sometimes we just walked in darkesss..

At about 3am we were walking along a residential street in Kensington. The houses were Victorian with high fronts and steps leading up to the front door. A lady was sitting on the steps of her house with a cardigan around her shoulders. She looked up as we walked by and said ‘I just wanted to stay up and thank you to you all for what you are doing – I have just finished my radiotherapy’ ... those few grateful words really hit home just why we were doing this and we were all lifted and spurred on…

As we walked through an underpass a marshall encouraged us by saying that there were firemen in uniform on the other side waiting to cheer us on... and sure enough we passed the Chelsea Fire Station and all the firemen had come out and lined up along the path in full uniform, shouting and clapping and cheering us on!!

We walked passed the home of the Chelsea pensioners, silent and in darkness in the wee small hours... the dawn came up over the Thames as we trailed along... quiet talk overtaking excited banter...

But still the cars supported us - fewer in number now but still as keen to hang out of their windows and shout and cheer! Still honking their horns at the endless line of us ... walking through the London in the dark of the night... in fancy bras ... raising money ... for Breast Cancer...

By 20 miles the walking was slower and Val and I each had our own demons to face! Val was beginning to develop shin splints - painful cramp in the legs! It makes my blisters sound petty but the pain was dreadful and sometimes it was really hard to raise a smile for the marshalls and the public - who were there at every crossing cheering and clapping and keeping us going!

By 23 and 24 miles we were walking along the Mall and back towards Hyde Park - and by this point we were really slow and felt certain someone was playing silly buggars with the mile markers as they were taking soooo long to come up... we were positive someone had stolen the one for 25 miles! Hyde Park wasn't quite the end and as we walked along the path one of my blisters finally burst - the pain was excruciating and I almost cried! I had been fighting back tears for so long, the pain and the aching and the emotion of the walk was all too much! I was determined not to cry as I knew if I started then I wouldn't stop!

John had told me that i could ring him anytime I wanted throughout the night but I had forced myself to keep my phone in my bag - if I rang him I would find myself admitting the pain and that would diminish my resolve...

Eventually the finish line came into sight and the path was lined on both sides with family and friends of walkers... everyone clapping and cheering... the tears were so hard to keep back but I was determined not to cry yet!

And then there we were ... the finish line, receiving our medal, posing for photographs, I was desperate not to be crying on the medal photo...

We'd done it! We finished in 8 hours and 4 minutes... outside the time I'd set myself but not by much! The tears flowed! It all hurt so much! I was physically and emotionally drained!

Sniffling I agreed to hobble as far as a white van displaying a sign for the 'Well Hung Meat Company' manned by young men (yes - the pain didn't affect my vision!) and we managed to get a cup of tea and then move just far enough from the queue to lay out a space blanket and drop onto it!

The tea was too hot so I steadied my nerves and pulled out my phone... there were text messages from Emily 'keep going Mum, I love you' at 4.50am, from John 'You can do it, keep going' ... I rang home ... and the tears flowed again!

John agreed to let everyone know that I'd finished as my swollen fingers just wouldn't work well enough to text everyone and my composure wasn't good enough to call them...

We allowed ourselves to sit awhile and Fiona, Sarah, Janet and Nicky came to find us! They had finished in about 6hrs 30 minutes - a fantastic time! We sat and talked and had photos taken and I resigned myself never to walk a marathon again!


The bags needed to be claimed from the bag store and so we hobbled over and then made our way, very slowly away from Hyde Park...

As we hobbled out of Hyde Park to catch the tube back there was still a steady flow of ladies coming in through the gate – it had been such a hard place to be for us at that point and so we egged them on and gave encouragement…

Once again the tube journey was dominated by pink caps and once again we had to make do with the station floor to drink our cups of tea! Fiona and the others caught their train before us and Val and I were lucky enough to grab a seat on a bench - I felt really bad as an old lady came up needing to sit down but as I got up a few minutes later to find our train she gave me such a look of pity - I felt vindicated!

Out train finally arrived at 10.35am and we got seats, settling in didn't take long - it was the first proper sit-down we'd had since getting off the train at 6.45pm the previous evening! Val put her head against the window and I'm sure she was asleep before we left the station!

The journey was quick and we were soon pulling back into Selby Station - we must have looked a state - I still had my space blanket tied around my waist like some kind of long skirt! I could barely walk and I winced with every step!

We were met at the station by John and Isaac carrying a bunch of flowers for each of us! Hugs and kisses all round - Val even got a hug from Isaac - a VERY rare event!!

Needless to say home was very welcome and a hot bath was waiting! Bed followed and a few hours restful sleep!

And now I'm back!

The MoonWalk was incredibly hard but the highs were high and the lows were low - I'm so glad I was there! It was amazing! So many women, all ages, all shapes and sizes, so many costumes, so much energy and such high spirits!!

The firemen cheering us on in the darkness, the clubbers who came out to shout, the guys (and girls!) hanging out of their cars cheering and honking their horns, the cameraderie, the achievement and the tears ... it was all a part of the Moonwalk!

Bats in the Belfrey!!

Well ... tomorrow is 16th May 2009 - the day of the Moonwalk and I'm sitting here thinking that I must be completely and utterly bonkers!!

I'm going down to London to walk 26.2 miles in a decorated bra in the dark with approximately 15,000 other women!!!!

It will be no lazy wander I can asure you (far from the 'stroll' suggested by this weeks edition of the Pocklington Post!!) 4mph is rather a hasty pace, best described as charging around in a mad rush for - ooh probably 7-8 hours!!!!

In January when I started my training I relished the thought of taking a three mile walk up to Cliffe and back. Even as the walks grew longer they were still enjoyable -- offering an escape from hustle and bustle and a chance to settle my mind to things still needing my attention when I got back...

I must admit that there were times when the walking became rather a chore. It wasn't easy trying to find time to fit in 'a cheeky 8-miler' when you knew that it would take you at least 2 hours and that when you got back you'd be fit for nothing but a hot bath and a cuppa!!

There was a point a couple of months ago when I didn't seem able to find the time or the motivation to get beyond 13 miles ... but I did it!!

Who'd have thought that I would even look back on a very wet 16 mile walk and laugh at the thought of being soaked to the skin, with wet clothing, wet feet and hair in rats tails... especially as the weather forecast for tomorrows big day varies hugely depending on which weather channel you watch...

But here I am ... bats in my belfrey there may be but I am excited and raring to go...wish me luck :-)