Amsterdame10 - Day One

Wow! Can you believe it? A whole year has passed (to the day!) and here I am again!

Amsterdam beckons and 60 ladies are waiting for the off! York's McArthur Glen car park is filled with bikes and bags and yellow ride shirts, the air is filled with excited chatter!

We are checked-in, de-bagged (in the nicest possible way!) and grouped together for a team photo :-)

Next we were split into teams and got ready for the off...

last year I did the ride as part of a year of challenges for my 40th Birthday so you may wonder why was I back? Well I had such a brilliant time last year and the challenge was such an achievement that I just felt compelled to join in once more... so here I was! This year my ride buddies and cabin mates were Sandra and Wendy, friends made on last years ride :-)

We just knew we would have a great time!

One by one the teams set off to cheering and air horns set off by friends and family, all gathered to see us off! So the long line of girls wound our way out into the coubntryside, along cycle lanes and tracks heading off towards Market Weighton where we were scheduled for lunch...

As we pedalled we chatted and laughs went up and down the line. It soon became obvious that one of the characters of our team was Nikki, a self-confessed loud-mouthed Scouser! She was brilliant! She kept us entertained with her banter with Mark, our front ride guide and she had us all calling out in response to her chant 'How are ya feelin'?' to which we would shout 'Gorgeous' in reply... Spirits were high as we cycled along, weaving our way through leafy lanes...

We pulled over beside a road near Seaton Ross to have a drink and check someones tyres and the break was useful to stretch legs and fingers... morale was high... Although we had pulled off the road we were wary of traffic and had various systems in place to warn each other of hazards whilst cycling, these calls often stayed with us when off the road too!

As we waited beside the road a white van was seen coming around the corner and several shouts were heard 'VAN' we called, 'It's coming FAST' I shouted and with that it hurtled around the corner, its driver fighting to stay in control... its brakes screeched as it struggled to stay on the road... we held our breath as it just managed to get around the corner without hitting us... we were angry and relieved all at once - it could have ended so badly! He was gone in the blink of an eye with nothing more than a partial plate to go on...

Shaken but determined we saddled up and rode on, thinking ahead to lunch, with Nikki calling out her chant and getting a few choice words in return!

We arrived at the pub for lunch, chips and sarnies, good job too - we were ravenous, we could have eaten the same again!! All three teams met up here to exchange banter on the journey so far and tell tales of our near miss!!

Freshly filled and ready for the off the teams set off at intervals. Our only deadline was the ferry...

Heading for Hull we followed country lanes and cycled over footbridges, we even lost our way at one point and almost found our way into some private gardens!! We had a Blair Witch experience in the woods and were sure we heard the Hound of the Baskervilles and shots being fired!

We had another mini adventure in North Ferriby but eventually found our way onto the correct road to lead us under the Humber Bridge and alongside the estuary. The dockside apartments are very smart and the block paved walkways make for easy riding. We fly past The Deep and cross over steel walkways which link the areas on both sides of the waterways.

Before long the gleaming white ferry comes into view and we are spurred along... 'How are ya feelin'?' Nikki shouts... 'Gorgeous' we yell in reply! Faster we ride, along and around, with every push of the pedals bringing us closer to our overnight rest...

At last we make it and find ourselves lined up at Passport Control alongside some fabulous Harley Davidson motorbikes! Their gleaming chrome and immaculate paintwork testimony to the pride of their riders...

Finally they agreed to allow us out of the country so we pedalled furiously up the long and winding ramp onto the ferry... what a climb but we made it - without stopping! And honked our horns wildly at the joy! Bikes locked and safely stowed we claimed our baggage from the support van and went off to find our cabins...

Get fed, get settled and get some sleep was the order of the evening... after a stroll on deck and a bevvy in the bar of course!

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 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 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!!

Shakin' that Ass!

Well, January came quick and I now find myself in the middle of the biggest training schedule my life has ever seen!

I have downloaded a marathon-walking-for-beginners training schedule and faithfully begun my programme.

On Tuesdays I do 3 miles, then 2 miles on a Wednesday, then 3 miles again on Thursday. On Friday I need to do just 30 minutes cross-training or similar and then Saturday is a big walk - increasing in distance and getting longer every couple of weeks.

The longer walks are done at regular pace whilst the shorter distances are walked at a quicker pace - like power walking! (Thankfully there are rest-days too otherwise I would be done for!).

At the weekend I dutifully sat down and wrote on my dates, starting with week 1 of the programme and the date I started it... and continued until the date of my event drew nearer ... and to my horror I realised that my event was only 19 weeks away - making my 24 week training plan somewhat ambitious!!

I have therefore had to amend my schedule, step-up the training and skip a few weeks (well, 5 weeks actually!).

So here I am - week 8 in my schedule and doing pretty well I think, although I am annoyed at the Wii fit machine - this new-fangled piece of kit was very impressive when I started out but this over-egoed creation is now insisting that despite doing more exercise I have ever done in my life I am gaining weight rapidly and aging faster than Benjamin Button in reverse!

I reassure myself by the firm knowledge that muscle weighs more than fat and what do machines know anyway??

As for my cycle training - well this has to fit in around my walking - yes I know - it will get harder to fit it all in, I need that time-spinning thing that Hermione had in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban...

Well the biggest part of my training for Amsterdam is to get my bottom in the saddle for as many hours as possible! The exercise bike is useful as this means that I can get some practise in an evening, leaving daylight hours for walking!

Yesterday, Sunday, the family took a cycle ride to Skipwith Common - not too far but with kids along it was far enough believe me! The pace was somewhat slower than I prefer and poor Emily was in some discomfort - in fact at one point on the way back I had to ride in front of her as following made me laugh so much that I almost fell off my bike!!

Her poor bottom was so uncomfortable that she had a little rhythm going all of her own ... rise, wiggle, down and pedal... rise, wiggle, down and pedal...

Talk about shakin' that ass!

Anyway, more training this week so let's see how I get on...anyone fancy a walk? :-)

It's Official :-)

Well that's it!
It's official!
I'm on the team!

Amsterdam here I come!

12th June 2009 is D-Day and the start of a 250 mile round trip to prove something to myself and hopefully to raise money for Marie Curie along the way!

By all accounts there should be about 60 of us so there should be plenty to blog about when I get back! The last time I was in Holland was a family holiday when I was ... much younger! I don't remember much apart from buying a souvenir beer tankard in Valkenburg - and yes I do still have it!!

I am looking forward to the challenge and I am also very much aware that I need to keep a regular cycling routine! I have been out most mornings on my bike - not very far - just about 6 miles per day, but far enough to get me into good habits!

Many moons ago (when I was 16) I cycled around North Wales with my friend as qualification for the Silver Duke of Edinburghs award - it was a fabulous two weeks and we route planned (well, Helen did!) and sorted out accommodation (well, Helen did that too!) and all in all we had a fab time! We took the train from York to Chester and then cycled a circular route over the two weeks before landing back in Chester and getting the train home again!

We had two rest days and on one of them we climbed Snowden (hence the wish to repeat the climb as part of this years wishlist!). Hopefully it will not be so foggy next time!

We met so many people and learned so much! I still cannot believe that my Mum & Dad were brave enough to let us go! There were no mobile phones then and we had only Post Office books by way of access to cash (no cashcards for us!). We rang home every couple of days from a hostel payphone and kept a diary to share with everyone when we got back!

The journey will stay with me always and so will the diary - my daughter was fascinated to read it and couldn't believe that I had been allowed to do such a trip at such a young age (I can barely believe it myself!).

Helen and I made so many friends along the way and I'm hoping that this trip to Amsterdam will earn me some more friendships along the way :-)

I have another birthday wish list trip coming up on Monday but I'll have to tell you more about that later ... I've sworn to keep 'mum' til then ;-) ... suffice to say that I'm really nervous, really excited and really scared all at the same time!!

Want to know what I'm planning...?

Better log in again soon then hadn't you?

Diane x