So, here we are, my final entry. I hope ye're all welling up as we speak!
Ok, so where did I leave off yesterday? Oh ya, haha! As I was walking into Den Haag last night after leaving the internet cafe, I had another, shall we say, 'Marina incident', haha. I'll tell you about it when I get home.
I went into town anyway to get some dinner, I even got dessert! Apple tart, and I've never seen so many pieces of apple in one slice! It was delicious though. They were showing the Man United-Villareal match back at the hostel so I watched that. Oh, I made a friend as well! His name was Ross, from Glasgow. I had breakfast with him this morning too. He was really sound.
So, then I set off on my last epic journey, Den Haag to Amsterdam. I was planning on going to Delft today but I was looking at brochures last night and there didn't seem to be much to do. Also my cycle today to A'dam was about 60km, maybe more, (I got lost again. It's not my fault! Signs just disappear after a while!), so that took up most of my day. It was a really nice cycle though, good conditions. I've been very lucky with the weather actually. I even stopped for a little picnic under a bridge. On my way into A'dam, I had to pass through Schiphol, and I ended up in the airport again somehow (I really don't know how it happened!). It was kinda nice though, coming back to the place where it all started 12 days ago, feeling a lot more confident and experienced, and also, I found my way out of the airport straight away! :D
I got to my hostel at around 4, after much searching around the Vondelpark. I dumped my stuff and headed into the city centre. I was one of those frantic A'dam cyclists! Weaving through the streets, I didn't feel out of place at all. I can now call myself a true cyclist. I've really come so far in 12 days.
It was nice being back in A'dam actually and seeing some of the places we were last year, Dam square where we saw that asshole magician, the long street where we had to run frantically for the train, I even visited the shop where we got Frankie. I was hoping they'd have more little Frankies, but I guess they must have been all sold out! I went to one of the internet cafes that we went to last year too, I thought it fitting to make my last entry from there, but the internet wouldn't work! Ah well.
I'm just at the hostel now, having an easy night as I have to get up at half 5 in the morning. My roommates are gonna hate me!
So, this is it. The end of my adventures, and thus, my blog. I think I've cycled around 320km altogether. I would have liked to have done a bit more, but it wasn't meant to be. I hope you've all enjoyed reading and thanks so much to all who have commented. It really means a lot. And I even found another Mark O'Leary!
So, for the last time, from me and Frankie,
Peace out everyone!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Day 11: The Hague....again
So, The Hague....
It's nice.........but it's probably the dodgiest city I've been to! Ironic, as it's home to the International Court of Justice. It's the first city so far that I don't feel entirely safe walking the streets. I accidentally found the red light district yesterday while looking for an ATM. I didn't even know The Hague had a red light district! And also, as I was leaving the internet cafe yesterday, I noticed the guy next to me was looking up call girls! It's a big change from Rotterdam. When I was cycling through Rotterdam at night, I felt......enchanted, for want of a better word. But last night, I didn't even bring my bike into the city centre here in case it would be stolen!
Having said that, I had a lovely day today, although I spent most of it outside Den Haag. As I said yesterday, it's quite close to the coast, so today I took a trip to the beach, only about a 5 or 6km cycle. And I had a really good time! The beach, Scheveningen, is big and sandy, and seems to stretch for miles! It's apparently the most popular beach in Holland, but just like with the waterpark in Rotterdam, because I went on a Wednesday morning, I was pretty quiet. So, I spent my morning there and had lunch in a beachside cafe. I made great progress in my book too! I'm about two thirds of the way through, although it's after hitting a bit of a slow patch.
I cycled back into Den Haag anyway for about 4 o'clock, and I went to the Escher museum. I wanted to go yesterday but it was closed, and when I got there today, I only had an hour before it was closing. I stayed for an hour anyway, but it was so good I wish I could have stayed all day! I really liked Escher beforehand anyway, but now I like him even more! There was all kinds of optical illusions there too, it was a really cool place. Even the locker room had furniture glued to the ceiling and walls!
That was my day so far and I'll be heading for dinner now soon enough. The manager in the hostel is really sound too! He lived in Galway for a year, so he loves me cause I'm Irish. Whenever I go into the hostel he talks to me. Today he had a cycle route for me of all nice places around the area, but it was in Dutch. He seemed really disappointed when I pointed out that it was only in Dutch. He's so nice!
Only one day to go! I just reserved my hostel there, it might be the same one the Claires stayed in, the Stayokay Vondelpark? I've pretty much travelled around the country going from Stayokay to Stayokay! So, my plan tomorrow is to go to Delft in the morning, that's meant to be a nice town, and then cycle to Amsterdam after lunch. My flight is like 9 o'clock in the morning, and my hostel is about 10km from the airport, so I'll have to get up at about half 5 I'd say.
So, signing out for my penultimate entry.
Peace out for now!
It's nice.........but it's probably the dodgiest city I've been to! Ironic, as it's home to the International Court of Justice. It's the first city so far that I don't feel entirely safe walking the streets. I accidentally found the red light district yesterday while looking for an ATM. I didn't even know The Hague had a red light district! And also, as I was leaving the internet cafe yesterday, I noticed the guy next to me was looking up call girls! It's a big change from Rotterdam. When I was cycling through Rotterdam at night, I felt......enchanted, for want of a better word. But last night, I didn't even bring my bike into the city centre here in case it would be stolen!
Having said that, I had a lovely day today, although I spent most of it outside Den Haag. As I said yesterday, it's quite close to the coast, so today I took a trip to the beach, only about a 5 or 6km cycle. And I had a really good time! The beach, Scheveningen, is big and sandy, and seems to stretch for miles! It's apparently the most popular beach in Holland, but just like with the waterpark in Rotterdam, because I went on a Wednesday morning, I was pretty quiet. So, I spent my morning there and had lunch in a beachside cafe. I made great progress in my book too! I'm about two thirds of the way through, although it's after hitting a bit of a slow patch.
I cycled back into Den Haag anyway for about 4 o'clock, and I went to the Escher museum. I wanted to go yesterday but it was closed, and when I got there today, I only had an hour before it was closing. I stayed for an hour anyway, but it was so good I wish I could have stayed all day! I really liked Escher beforehand anyway, but now I like him even more! There was all kinds of optical illusions there too, it was a really cool place. Even the locker room had furniture glued to the ceiling and walls!
That was my day so far and I'll be heading for dinner now soon enough. The manager in the hostel is really sound too! He lived in Galway for a year, so he loves me cause I'm Irish. Whenever I go into the hostel he talks to me. Today he had a cycle route for me of all nice places around the area, but it was in Dutch. He seemed really disappointed when I pointed out that it was only in Dutch. He's so nice!
Only one day to go! I just reserved my hostel there, it might be the same one the Claires stayed in, the Stayokay Vondelpark? I've pretty much travelled around the country going from Stayokay to Stayokay! So, my plan tomorrow is to go to Delft in the morning, that's meant to be a nice town, and then cycle to Amsterdam after lunch. My flight is like 9 o'clock in the morning, and my hostel is about 10km from the airport, so I'll have to get up at about half 5 I'd say.
So, signing out for my penultimate entry.
Peace out for now!
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Day 10: The Hague
Ok, after I was talking to you yesterday, I just had my best day yet, but after that, things got......even better! Hehe. So my plan was to look for a match to watch the Villa-Spurs match, but I didn't hold much hope as I don't think I had seen a sports bar since I arrived in Holland. I asked the guy at the hostel and he said my best bet would be an Irish Pub across town, and he was right! Incidentally, I think that was the first time I met Irish people since I arrived too! Anyway, I watched the match there, which we won! 2-1, I was delighted! I was talking to a Norwegian guy during the match too, he was a Spurs fan, but he was pretty sound. I cycled back to the hostel afterwards, feeling sad to be leaving Rotterdam. It's even nicer at night too! I never knew how big a city it was!
I got up this morning anyway, ready for my next voyage, The Hague, or Den Haag as they say. I was meant to be staying in Delft tonight but again, accommodation was the problem. It wasn't a disaster though as Den Haag was just 10km up the road anyway, so I might take a trip down to Delft at some stage tomorrow.
Oh ya, another reason why Rotterdam was so good. As I said last time, my bike had a slow puncture but I was willing to tough it out til I got home, by pumping up my tyre every couple of hours. But as I was pumping up my tyre this morning in preparation for my journey, the hostel's caretaker came over to me asking if I had a puncture, and he helped me repair it! Well, when I say, 'he helped me repair it', what I mean is, he repaired it for me! And taught me how to fix it in future. Rotterdam really couldn't have been much better to me!
I had a nice leisurely cycle then today, about 25km to Den Haag, and in fairness, it was pretty straight all the way. Most cities have motorways connecting them but it's a different route for cyclists, but there was a road going to Den Haag, parallel to the motorway (called Parallelstraat, aptly enough) so it was fairly straightforward most of the way. Seeing as I had no map of Den Haag though, I had to first find a tourist office, then find my hostel, which as it turns out, I cycled right past on my way towards the tourist office, but sure, that's how it goes.
I didn't do much today. Apparently, the Dutch queen was in town (I didn't even know there was a Dutch queen) but I didn't see her. I wasn't too heartbroken though. There is an Escher gallery too but it was closed when I got to it, so I'd really like to see that. I went on a tour of the gaol alright which was grand, but apart from that I just had a general wander. It's a nice enough city, but no Rotterdam *sigh*. On the plus side, it is near the coast, so if it's sunny tomorrow I think I'll head for the beach.
I'm just going to have an easy night tonight I think. I'm back Friday morning so only two days to go really! I can't wait to see everyone! I have had a great time, but I'm missing people a lot, a lot more than I thought I would too!
Anyway, I'll be seeing y'all soon enough.
Peace out for now :)
I got up this morning anyway, ready for my next voyage, The Hague, or Den Haag as they say. I was meant to be staying in Delft tonight but again, accommodation was the problem. It wasn't a disaster though as Den Haag was just 10km up the road anyway, so I might take a trip down to Delft at some stage tomorrow.
Oh ya, another reason why Rotterdam was so good. As I said last time, my bike had a slow puncture but I was willing to tough it out til I got home, by pumping up my tyre every couple of hours. But as I was pumping up my tyre this morning in preparation for my journey, the hostel's caretaker came over to me asking if I had a puncture, and he helped me repair it! Well, when I say, 'he helped me repair it', what I mean is, he repaired it for me! And taught me how to fix it in future. Rotterdam really couldn't have been much better to me!
I had a nice leisurely cycle then today, about 25km to Den Haag, and in fairness, it was pretty straight all the way. Most cities have motorways connecting them but it's a different route for cyclists, but there was a road going to Den Haag, parallel to the motorway (called Parallelstraat, aptly enough) so it was fairly straightforward most of the way. Seeing as I had no map of Den Haag though, I had to first find a tourist office, then find my hostel, which as it turns out, I cycled right past on my way towards the tourist office, but sure, that's how it goes.
I didn't do much today. Apparently, the Dutch queen was in town (I didn't even know there was a Dutch queen) but I didn't see her. I wasn't too heartbroken though. There is an Escher gallery too but it was closed when I got to it, so I'd really like to see that. I went on a tour of the gaol alright which was grand, but apart from that I just had a general wander. It's a nice enough city, but no Rotterdam *sigh*. On the plus side, it is near the coast, so if it's sunny tomorrow I think I'll head for the beach.
I'm just going to have an easy night tonight I think. I'm back Friday morning so only two days to go really! I can't wait to see everyone! I have had a great time, but I'm missing people a lot, a lot more than I thought I would too!
Anyway, I'll be seeing y'all soon enough.
Peace out for now :)
Monday, September 15, 2008
Day 9: Rotterdam....again
Ok, definitely best day yet! This is probably the first city that I'm really going to miss!
So, I got up this morning with a list of things to do. First of all, I had to take my bike to a repair shop. I have a slow puncture, I think. I have to pump it up every few hours, but it's still usable. I found the place anyway that was recommended to me by the guy at the hostel, but it turns out that the repairs section is closed on Mondays. Still, it's not a very urgent matter. I survived the rest of the day with it and, unless it starts getting worse, it'll probably last me til I get home.
So, after that I headed to Tropicana! It's a waterpark about 10mins from my hostel. (my hostel is actually very well placed). It was a place like the Aquadome, but better. And the best part, I arrived just as it was opening, and seeing as it was 10 o'clock on a Monday morning, I was the only one there, so no queues for the slides! There was a few old women alright, but they sure as hell weren't going to break a hip! I pretty much spent my morning going on slides, running back around, then going down again! There was also jacuzzis, rapids and even an outdoor swimming pool. The outdoor part was really cool actually, cause even though it was sunny, there was a bit of a chill in the air. So, it was like swimming in the sea, but with really warm water!
Oh God, I can't describe how much fun I had! But I'm sure you can imagine.
And to top it all off, there was a hot-tub on the roof, overlooking the bay. It was such a beautiful view, it was just perfect. I later found out that you, in fact, had to pay especially for the hot-tub, but since I was there when it just opened, there was no-one around, so no-one stopped me!
After a few hours there (you'd think it would get old after a while, but it didn't!), I was starving so I went to Maccy D's. They had a family special of a Happy Meal and an Extra Value Meal for like 7.50E, that I was going to get, but I felt guilty enough for going to McDonalds for lunch, so I just got my normal meal.
After lunch, (and after pumping up my bike again) I headed for the Zoo! It's just outside the city so I cycled there easily enough. I stayed there for a few hours too. In fact, I actually got locked in! Apparently it closes at 6 (who knew?!), and I was still wandering around at a quarter past when I noticed the gates were closed. I had to ask one of the workers to let me out but she was lovely.
So, here I am now, my last day in Rotterdam, and to top it all off, I'm writing this using the free internet in Rotterdam Library! They even gave me a free 1gb memory key for setting up an account! What a city! I'm going to go get dinner now in a few mins and hopefully find a pub to watch the Villa-Spurs game later.
I think that's all my news anyway. If anyone is looking for a place for a weekend away, I'd definitely recommend Rotterdam. I think it even has an airport, but don't quote me on that.
Peace out for now!
So, I got up this morning with a list of things to do. First of all, I had to take my bike to a repair shop. I have a slow puncture, I think. I have to pump it up every few hours, but it's still usable. I found the place anyway that was recommended to me by the guy at the hostel, but it turns out that the repairs section is closed on Mondays. Still, it's not a very urgent matter. I survived the rest of the day with it and, unless it starts getting worse, it'll probably last me til I get home.
So, after that I headed to Tropicana! It's a waterpark about 10mins from my hostel. (my hostel is actually very well placed). It was a place like the Aquadome, but better. And the best part, I arrived just as it was opening, and seeing as it was 10 o'clock on a Monday morning, I was the only one there, so no queues for the slides! There was a few old women alright, but they sure as hell weren't going to break a hip! I pretty much spent my morning going on slides, running back around, then going down again! There was also jacuzzis, rapids and even an outdoor swimming pool. The outdoor part was really cool actually, cause even though it was sunny, there was a bit of a chill in the air. So, it was like swimming in the sea, but with really warm water!
Oh God, I can't describe how much fun I had! But I'm sure you can imagine.
And to top it all off, there was a hot-tub on the roof, overlooking the bay. It was such a beautiful view, it was just perfect. I later found out that you, in fact, had to pay especially for the hot-tub, but since I was there when it just opened, there was no-one around, so no-one stopped me!
After a few hours there (you'd think it would get old after a while, but it didn't!), I was starving so I went to Maccy D's. They had a family special of a Happy Meal and an Extra Value Meal for like 7.50E, that I was going to get, but I felt guilty enough for going to McDonalds for lunch, so I just got my normal meal.
After lunch, (and after pumping up my bike again) I headed for the Zoo! It's just outside the city so I cycled there easily enough. I stayed there for a few hours too. In fact, I actually got locked in! Apparently it closes at 6 (who knew?!), and I was still wandering around at a quarter past when I noticed the gates were closed. I had to ask one of the workers to let me out but she was lovely.
So, here I am now, my last day in Rotterdam, and to top it all off, I'm writing this using the free internet in Rotterdam Library! They even gave me a free 1gb memory key for setting up an account! What a city! I'm going to go get dinner now in a few mins and hopefully find a pub to watch the Villa-Spurs game later.
I think that's all my news anyway. If anyone is looking for a place for a weekend away, I'd definitely recommend Rotterdam. I think it even has an airport, but don't quote me on that.
Peace out for now!
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Day 8: Rotterdam
Ok, last night I had a bit of a dilemma, get the train to Rotterdam or cycle to Breda. (I'm sure you've already realised what happened from the title). I was going to wait til the morning to let the weather decide but my fate was decided sooner than that. I had a look for accommodation in Breda but I couldn't find anything, nothing in my price range anyway. That's been my main problem I'd say, finding places to stay, as a lot of my stops would just be in small towns.
Anyway, Rotterdam it was! Funnily enough, the weather was lovely today, so I would have been going to Breda had everything gone according to plan! It's a shame that I wasn't cycling today, and I really mean that, cause it was perfect cycling weather, blue skies but not too hot, and also, I haven't had an epic cycle in ages! I had a bit of a cycle today anyway, cause my hostel in Valkenswaard was about 10km from Eindhoven station, even more in fact cause the main road was closed, so I had a take a little detour. I left Eindhoven though after two lovely days, in probably my favourite city so far.
After today though, Rotterdam is coming very close and may well surpass it tomorrow! I'm really glad now that I've got two days here cause there's so much to do! After I arrived at the hostel I got a handy little booklet with touristy things to do, so first I headed to the "Euromast'', a huge tower that you can go right to the top of. It was amazing, you could see the whole of Rotterdam, which is a really lovely city. There was a zipline you could get too from the top of the tower to the ground, but it turns out you have to prebook, and also it was like 40E! If I wanted to spend 40E on 30 seconds of pleasure, there are plenty of other places in Holland I could go!
Next in my guide book was the "Pannenkoekenboot", or "The pancake boat". Whoever came up with this concept is a genius! Basically, it's an hour long tour of Rotterdam by boat / all you can eat pancake buffet! Seriously, what a good idea! If it was just a boat tour I might be like, hmmm....it sounds alright but I'll give it a miss. But throw in a few pancakes, and how could anyone say no?! I only had had about 3 or 4 pancakes in the end though, I didn't want to go overboard! Hioooooo!!!
When I got off the boat I saw a sign for "Midget Golf". I thought this might be another ingenious combination of two things but it turns out it was just a bad translation of miniature golf. I still played a round though. It's not as much fun on your own but I had a larf anyway! I just had a general wander after that, but again, such a nice city! Some of the architecture is amazing, and I'm not even an architecture fan!
I'm still a bit full from the pancakes so I might wait a while before going for dinner. I'd say I'll read a bit here in the hostel for a bit then head out.
My plan for tomorrow then is.....who knows! Apparently, there's a small waterpark nearby, or there's Rotterdam Zoo too, so I might go to one of them, or both!
I'll let ye know tomorrow anyway what happened.
Peace out for now!
Anyway, Rotterdam it was! Funnily enough, the weather was lovely today, so I would have been going to Breda had everything gone according to plan! It's a shame that I wasn't cycling today, and I really mean that, cause it was perfect cycling weather, blue skies but not too hot, and also, I haven't had an epic cycle in ages! I had a bit of a cycle today anyway, cause my hostel in Valkenswaard was about 10km from Eindhoven station, even more in fact cause the main road was closed, so I had a take a little detour. I left Eindhoven though after two lovely days, in probably my favourite city so far.
After today though, Rotterdam is coming very close and may well surpass it tomorrow! I'm really glad now that I've got two days here cause there's so much to do! After I arrived at the hostel I got a handy little booklet with touristy things to do, so first I headed to the "Euromast'', a huge tower that you can go right to the top of. It was amazing, you could see the whole of Rotterdam, which is a really lovely city. There was a zipline you could get too from the top of the tower to the ground, but it turns out you have to prebook, and also it was like 40E! If I wanted to spend 40E on 30 seconds of pleasure, there are plenty of other places in Holland I could go!
Next in my guide book was the "Pannenkoekenboot", or "The pancake boat". Whoever came up with this concept is a genius! Basically, it's an hour long tour of Rotterdam by boat / all you can eat pancake buffet! Seriously, what a good idea! If it was just a boat tour I might be like, hmmm....it sounds alright but I'll give it a miss. But throw in a few pancakes, and how could anyone say no?! I only had had about 3 or 4 pancakes in the end though, I didn't want to go overboard! Hioooooo!!!
When I got off the boat I saw a sign for "Midget Golf". I thought this might be another ingenious combination of two things but it turns out it was just a bad translation of miniature golf. I still played a round though. It's not as much fun on your own but I had a larf anyway! I just had a general wander after that, but again, such a nice city! Some of the architecture is amazing, and I'm not even an architecture fan!
I'm still a bit full from the pancakes so I might wait a while before going for dinner. I'd say I'll read a bit here in the hostel for a bit then head out.
My plan for tomorrow then is.....who knows! Apparently, there's a small waterpark nearby, or there's Rotterdam Zoo too, so I might go to one of them, or both!
I'll let ye know tomorrow anyway what happened.
Peace out for now!
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Day 7: Eindhoven....again
Today was one of my best, even though it was still quite drizzly.
It was another one of my relaxy days. I started off with a nice lie-in. I got up at about 11, missed breakfast but it was totally worth it! I asked the guy at the desk to make me a slice of pizza when I got up, so that was my breakfast. (they do food here by the way, I wasn't just being an asshole!) After that I sat in the lounge for a couple of hours reading my book and listening to music. I'm still only on like page 85, I'm such a slow reader! I'm really enjoying it though.
I was waiting for the pool to open, so I headed over there as soon as it was 2 o'clock. They had a big diving board so I got endless enjoyment out of that! I just kept diving off it, swimming to the edge and then going up again. I was like a big child! The other swimmers might have been a bit annoyed....
After that I was counting down the hours to the match. I headed into Eindhoven, picked up my tickets, along with my 20E voucher for the gift shop and 10E of food tokens. I had time to kill so I wandered around the gift shop for a while. The jerseys were like 70 quid each, but they had some of last years for sale too for 30E, so I got one of them.
Oh ya, on the bus into Eindhoven, we went some kind of weird route through road works (the bus driver must have been new or something) and we hit a massive pot hole or bump or something. It was like we had been hit by a car! There were panels falling from the ceiling and everything! Some people were saying things to the driver, if only I could understand them! I still don't really know what happened......
Anyway, the match. I felt like a proper fan with my new jersey, walking to the stadium with the hoards. As matches go, it wasn't the best but I really loved it! There was a great atmosphere in the stadium. It finished 1-0 to PSV (I think). They scored another at the end but I think it was disallowed. It's hard to tell when you're actually at the match, and without commentators. I wanted to take some photos of the stadium too (particularly with Frankie) but my battery went before I got there. I was gutted!
My plan for tomorrow? I don't know yet. I have two options made out for myself.
It was another one of my relaxy days. I started off with a nice lie-in. I got up at about 11, missed breakfast but it was totally worth it! I asked the guy at the desk to make me a slice of pizza when I got up, so that was my breakfast. (they do food here by the way, I wasn't just being an asshole!) After that I sat in the lounge for a couple of hours reading my book and listening to music. I'm still only on like page 85, I'm such a slow reader! I'm really enjoying it though.
I was waiting for the pool to open, so I headed over there as soon as it was 2 o'clock. They had a big diving board so I got endless enjoyment out of that! I just kept diving off it, swimming to the edge and then going up again. I was like a big child! The other swimmers might have been a bit annoyed....
After that I was counting down the hours to the match. I headed into Eindhoven, picked up my tickets, along with my 20E voucher for the gift shop and 10E of food tokens. I had time to kill so I wandered around the gift shop for a while. The jerseys were like 70 quid each, but they had some of last years for sale too for 30E, so I got one of them.
Oh ya, on the bus into Eindhoven, we went some kind of weird route through road works (the bus driver must have been new or something) and we hit a massive pot hole or bump or something. It was like we had been hit by a car! There were panels falling from the ceiling and everything! Some people were saying things to the driver, if only I could understand them! I still don't really know what happened......
Anyway, the match. I felt like a proper fan with my new jersey, walking to the stadium with the hoards. As matches go, it wasn't the best but I really loved it! There was a great atmosphere in the stadium. It finished 1-0 to PSV (I think). They scored another at the end but I think it was disallowed. It's hard to tell when you're actually at the match, and without commentators. I wanted to take some photos of the stadium too (particularly with Frankie) but my battery went before I got there. I was gutted!
My plan for tomorrow? I don't know yet. I have two options made out for myself.
- If it's sunny: I'll cycle to Breda, stay there for a night and then onto Rotterdam.
- If it's rainy: I'll get the train to Rotterdam and spend two days there
I don't want to keep getting the train, but it's about 70km to Breda and I don't fancy doing that in the rain, to be honest. I'll see how things are in the morning anyway. I'll let fate decide.
I think that's all I did today. I hope all is well at home.
Peace out for now!
Friday, September 12, 2008
Day 6: Eindhoven
Ok, so after I was talking to ye last night, I went for a walk into the main square in Groningen. I could hear music and it turns out there was a big open air concert on. There was over a thousand people there I'd say. The band was Dutch though. The crowd seemed to know all of their songs though so they must have been pretty famous. I didn't have a clue who they were though.....
I'm like so out of touch with Dutch culture! I headed back to the hostel soon after.
Today was another lovely sunny morning. I got up, had another crazy shower and headed to the train station. I found my train pretty easily and headed for Eindhoven, via a changeover in Utrecht. As I travelled south though, the skies started getting darker and darker, and when I arrived in Eindhoven, it was absolutely torrential! And here was me in my shorts and t-shirt! Also my hostel was in Valkenswaard, a town about 8km from Eindhoven. Ugh....I forgot what cycling in the rain felt like....
On the bright side though, I got so drenched in the first 2 mins that I couldn't possibly get any wetter! I was completely 'fliuch go craiceann' as they say, but I was in surprisingly high spirits! Again, never underestimate the power of positive thinking!
The route to Valkenswaard was pretty straightforward and I found my hostel straight away, it was my fastest hostel-find ever! The thought of getting into a nice, hot shower and putting on some dry clothes was keeping me going, but when I got there, I was told my room was being cleaned and wouldn't be ready for 2 hours! Also, the rain had seeped through my bag and most of my stuff was soaked! Even that didn't get me down though! I went online for a while and I think my positive attitude gave me good karma, cause when I was on the hostels website, I found a 15E discount for staying this weekend! Karma!
I finally got my room anyway and tried to air out my wet clothes, it gave me an excuse to reorganise my bag anyway. Also, my hostel is next to a sports facility so I might go for a swim tomorrow before the match.
The rain dried up after a while anyway so I cycled into Valkenswaard town centre, it's pretty crap really.....so, I got the bus into Eindhoven! It's a nice city. Not a single internet cafe though! I'm writing this on the computer at the hostel, 5 Euro an hour! What a rip! Still, what I wouldn't do for my loving fans :)
That's about it for today really. Tomorrow should be really good, with the match and swimming. Hopefully it'll be dry, that's all I ever want! I'll talk to ye again tomorrow.
Peace out for now!
I'm like so out of touch with Dutch culture! I headed back to the hostel soon after.
Today was another lovely sunny morning. I got up, had another crazy shower and headed to the train station. I found my train pretty easily and headed for Eindhoven, via a changeover in Utrecht. As I travelled south though, the skies started getting darker and darker, and when I arrived in Eindhoven, it was absolutely torrential! And here was me in my shorts and t-shirt! Also my hostel was in Valkenswaard, a town about 8km from Eindhoven. Ugh....I forgot what cycling in the rain felt like....
On the bright side though, I got so drenched in the first 2 mins that I couldn't possibly get any wetter! I was completely 'fliuch go craiceann' as they say, but I was in surprisingly high spirits! Again, never underestimate the power of positive thinking!
The route to Valkenswaard was pretty straightforward and I found my hostel straight away, it was my fastest hostel-find ever! The thought of getting into a nice, hot shower and putting on some dry clothes was keeping me going, but when I got there, I was told my room was being cleaned and wouldn't be ready for 2 hours! Also, the rain had seeped through my bag and most of my stuff was soaked! Even that didn't get me down though! I went online for a while and I think my positive attitude gave me good karma, cause when I was on the hostels website, I found a 15E discount for staying this weekend! Karma!
I finally got my room anyway and tried to air out my wet clothes, it gave me an excuse to reorganise my bag anyway. Also, my hostel is next to a sports facility so I might go for a swim tomorrow before the match.
The rain dried up after a while anyway so I cycled into Valkenswaard town centre, it's pretty crap really.....so, I got the bus into Eindhoven! It's a nice city. Not a single internet cafe though! I'm writing this on the computer at the hostel, 5 Euro an hour! What a rip! Still, what I wouldn't do for my loving fans :)
That's about it for today really. Tomorrow should be really good, with the match and swimming. Hopefully it'll be dry, that's all I ever want! I'll talk to ye again tomorrow.
Peace out for now!
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Day 5: Groningen....again
Today was just a nice relaxing day really.
It was my first day off and I really enjoyed it. My body was aching when I woke up so it was a good thing I didn't have to do any cycling! I treated myself to a bit of a lie in this morning too, well, half 10.
I was looking up things to do in Groningen and I was planning on going to an ice-rink today but I asked the lady at the hostel and she told me it opens in October. Dose! It may have been for the best though, with my zero skating experience and aching legs.
I just went for a general wander around the city today. It's a really nice place! I found a cartoon museum, the "Stripmuseum" (Ya....). It wasn't great in the end, but it probably didn't help that it was mostly in Dutch. I think some of the installations were interactive, but I couldn't read the signs, so I thought it best not to go at anything. It was all double Dutch to me! (Baddum tish!)
After that I found a park and spent a few hours there just listening to music in the sun. It was just so nice and relaxing. It really rekindled my love for music too! Before today I had only been listening to music as I was cycling, so I probably subconsciously started associating it with pain. Also, Fiona Apple might just be my new favourite singer. I was listening to her a good bit today and she's so so good! She may well have taken Regina's crown. Oh! I didn't mean that, but that's quite good! (Regina is the Latin for queen, by the way)
I made a friend today too! Well, when I say friend, I mean someone I talked to, not asking for directions. Manuela, she's lovely. She's staying in the hostel too. She's German but speaks perfect English with an Australian accent. She couldn't believe I was Irish because of my accent. Do I have an accent.....?
Oh, as well, I discovered that PSV are playing at home this Saturday. I was really hoping to go to one of their matches but it would take me about 3 days to cycle to Eindhoven from Groningen, so earlier I bought a train ticket to Eindhoven for tomorrow. I feel a bit guilty for taking another day off from cycling, but I think it's worth doing something I really want to. The match is sold out but I went on their website and emailed the ticket office earlier about tickets for International fans, and I just got a reply there. He said he'd set aside a ticket for me! Score! I'm really looking forward to that now!
I went back to my super Chinese restaurant again tonight. Again, quality! The portions are so big! The service was a bit more lax tonight though. Maybe she realised I wasn't a food critic.....
Haha! Sorry, I just read back over yesterday's blog and I realised I never mentioned that. I've been keeping a little diary that I write in every so often and I was writing in it last night as I was having dinner, so I was thinking maybe she thought I was a food critic.....*tumbleweed*......
Anyway, I think that's all my news. Next stop Eindhoven! (by train)
Peace out for now!
It was my first day off and I really enjoyed it. My body was aching when I woke up so it was a good thing I didn't have to do any cycling! I treated myself to a bit of a lie in this morning too, well, half 10.
I was looking up things to do in Groningen and I was planning on going to an ice-rink today but I asked the lady at the hostel and she told me it opens in October. Dose! It may have been for the best though, with my zero skating experience and aching legs.
I just went for a general wander around the city today. It's a really nice place! I found a cartoon museum, the "Stripmuseum" (Ya....). It wasn't great in the end, but it probably didn't help that it was mostly in Dutch. I think some of the installations were interactive, but I couldn't read the signs, so I thought it best not to go at anything. It was all double Dutch to me! (Baddum tish!)
After that I found a park and spent a few hours there just listening to music in the sun. It was just so nice and relaxing. It really rekindled my love for music too! Before today I had only been listening to music as I was cycling, so I probably subconsciously started associating it with pain. Also, Fiona Apple might just be my new favourite singer. I was listening to her a good bit today and she's so so good! She may well have taken Regina's crown. Oh! I didn't mean that, but that's quite good! (Regina is the Latin for queen, by the way)
I made a friend today too! Well, when I say friend, I mean someone I talked to, not asking for directions. Manuela, she's lovely. She's staying in the hostel too. She's German but speaks perfect English with an Australian accent. She couldn't believe I was Irish because of my accent. Do I have an accent.....?
Oh, as well, I discovered that PSV are playing at home this Saturday. I was really hoping to go to one of their matches but it would take me about 3 days to cycle to Eindhoven from Groningen, so earlier I bought a train ticket to Eindhoven for tomorrow. I feel a bit guilty for taking another day off from cycling, but I think it's worth doing something I really want to. The match is sold out but I went on their website and emailed the ticket office earlier about tickets for International fans, and I just got a reply there. He said he'd set aside a ticket for me! Score! I'm really looking forward to that now!
I went back to my super Chinese restaurant again tonight. Again, quality! The portions are so big! The service was a bit more lax tonight though. Maybe she realised I wasn't a food critic.....
Haha! Sorry, I just read back over yesterday's blog and I realised I never mentioned that. I've been keeping a little diary that I write in every so often and I was writing in it last night as I was having dinner, so I was thinking maybe she thought I was a food critic.....*tumbleweed*......
Anyway, I think that's all my news. Next stop Eindhoven! (by train)
Peace out for now!
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Day 4: Groningen
I guess the world didn't end then....
Anyway, really good day today!
To be honest, I was kinda dreading it a bit. 80km yesterday and now the same again today. And when I woke up this morning, my legs were very tight. I set off anyway. Yesterday, I was grand for the first 60kms but struggled for the last 20 or so. Today, I was feeling tired after about 2 or 3km! I really wasn't sure if I was going to make it, but I always try to think positively. I gave myself no option, I had to do it. I put on some Regina and bopped my way along, daydreaming to take my mind off the cycle. It really is amazing what a difference positive thinking makes!
On my map, Sneek to Groningen is about 75km along the motorway, but obviously there isn't a cycle path that goes straight all the way, so I had to work my way from town to town. First Sneek to Joure, about 13km, no problem. Then Joure to Heerenveen, another 7km, no problem. But then, I couldn't find my way out of Heerenveen! My next stop was Drachten but I was literally cycling around the city for 45mins and the only exit for Drachten was a motorway! I found an ANWB office (a tourist info place, they're very good), and the lady told me to head for De Knipe and work my way through the countryside. And so began my day of zig-zagging through nowheresville!
I left Heerenveen (or should I say, civilization) at about 12:30 and finally resurfaced in Groningen just before 6. I pretty much spent my day going from signpost to signpost, village to village in the Dutch countryside, with the help of my map. It was probably a good thing though, spending most of the day not knowing where I was going. I was so focused on finding my way, that I didn't have time to concentrate on my tiredness. I also got to see some really lovely places off the beaten track.
I pretty much survived today on digestive biscuits, peach iced tea and a punnet of strawberries that I bought on the roadside. I don't know if it was because they were Dutch or because I was starving, but those strawberries were unreal! (also, punnet is a strange word.....)
As I said, yesterday when I arrived in Sneek, I pretty much crawled over the finish line, but for some reason, today I rocketed into Groningen! Even though, due to my detour I probably cycled over 95km, arriving in Groningen a full 9 hours after I left Sneek!
The hostel I'm staying in (the only one in the whole city) is......nice, but a bit all over the place. I had the most ridiculous shower ever earlier. In the shower room, there's a few little cubicles. In the cubicles, there's a little changing area and a shower area. In the changing area, there's a little red button on the wall that starts the water. There is no temperature control. Instead, the water starts off cold, then lukewarm, then hot and then back again and switches off. I guess their theory is, why choose one temperature when you can have them all! Also, while I was getting dried, I could hear a man pooing. I thought it was horrible to have toilets next to the shower cubicles, but when I left.....there were no toilets in the room! I don't want to know what he was actually doing. *shudder*
Oh, also, taking price and portions into account, I had one of the best dinners of my life tonight! My time is running low so I'll tell ye about it some other time.
It's my day off tomorrow so hopefully I'll do something super fun!
Thanks for the comments once again. They're hugely appreciated!
Peace out for now :)
Anyway, really good day today!
To be honest, I was kinda dreading it a bit. 80km yesterday and now the same again today. And when I woke up this morning, my legs were very tight. I set off anyway. Yesterday, I was grand for the first 60kms but struggled for the last 20 or so. Today, I was feeling tired after about 2 or 3km! I really wasn't sure if I was going to make it, but I always try to think positively. I gave myself no option, I had to do it. I put on some Regina and bopped my way along, daydreaming to take my mind off the cycle. It really is amazing what a difference positive thinking makes!
On my map, Sneek to Groningen is about 75km along the motorway, but obviously there isn't a cycle path that goes straight all the way, so I had to work my way from town to town. First Sneek to Joure, about 13km, no problem. Then Joure to Heerenveen, another 7km, no problem. But then, I couldn't find my way out of Heerenveen! My next stop was Drachten but I was literally cycling around the city for 45mins and the only exit for Drachten was a motorway! I found an ANWB office (a tourist info place, they're very good), and the lady told me to head for De Knipe and work my way through the countryside. And so began my day of zig-zagging through nowheresville!
I left Heerenveen (or should I say, civilization) at about 12:30 and finally resurfaced in Groningen just before 6. I pretty much spent my day going from signpost to signpost, village to village in the Dutch countryside, with the help of my map. It was probably a good thing though, spending most of the day not knowing where I was going. I was so focused on finding my way, that I didn't have time to concentrate on my tiredness. I also got to see some really lovely places off the beaten track.
I pretty much survived today on digestive biscuits, peach iced tea and a punnet of strawberries that I bought on the roadside. I don't know if it was because they were Dutch or because I was starving, but those strawberries were unreal! (also, punnet is a strange word.....)
As I said, yesterday when I arrived in Sneek, I pretty much crawled over the finish line, but for some reason, today I rocketed into Groningen! Even though, due to my detour I probably cycled over 95km, arriving in Groningen a full 9 hours after I left Sneek!
The hostel I'm staying in (the only one in the whole city) is......nice, but a bit all over the place. I had the most ridiculous shower ever earlier. In the shower room, there's a few little cubicles. In the cubicles, there's a little changing area and a shower area. In the changing area, there's a little red button on the wall that starts the water. There is no temperature control. Instead, the water starts off cold, then lukewarm, then hot and then back again and switches off. I guess their theory is, why choose one temperature when you can have them all! Also, while I was getting dried, I could hear a man pooing. I thought it was horrible to have toilets next to the shower cubicles, but when I left.....there were no toilets in the room! I don't want to know what he was actually doing. *shudder*
Oh, also, taking price and portions into account, I had one of the best dinners of my life tonight! My time is running low so I'll tell ye about it some other time.
It's my day off tomorrow so hopefully I'll do something super fun!
Thanks for the comments once again. They're hugely appreciated!
Peace out for now :)
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Day 3: Sneek
Hehe, Sneek is such a good name! I don't know what's better, the fact that it's called Sneek or that the locals pronounce it Snake.
Anyway, really good but really tough day today. I cycled my little heart out! Around 80km, taking about 7 and a half hours of cycling. I'm really pooped. It was super sunny today which made it a really nice cycle. If I woke up to rain, I think I would have just curled up and died.
Anyway, as I said, it was a really scenic cycle. I went along the coast from Medemblik to to Afsluitdijk, then all the way across that, so I was going along the coast for a good 55km of my journey. I know I've said it before, but it's amazing what a difference the sun makes! Cycling through the Dutch countryside, with the sun on my back, it just felt really good and wholesome! Although, I got a really bad farmer's tan. Not even that in fact! The top side of my arm is completely red but the underside is pale. I look ridiculous!
I left Medemblik at about half 9 and I said I'd be at the hostel for 5 so I didn't have much time to waste. But as I was cycling along I saw a sign for a waterpark. I thought I'd at least have look to see if I could be tempted (although, for any waterpark worth it's salt, you should be able to see the slides a mile away!). I followed the sign but when I got there, there was just a big warehouse in what seemed to be a dockyard. Maybe the sea was the waterpark? Or at best they had a big swimming pool in the warehouse. Either way it was super lame, so I cycled on.
The biggest problem I had with cycling over the past few days was my heavy backpack, but today I made life a lot easier for myself. I tried in the past to cycle with my backpack on the handlebars but it was much too bulky. I had brought with me my little green bag, and some bungee cords (something must have rubbed off from the FCA), so today I had a brainwave to put half of my stuff in my green bag and leave the rest in my backpack. Then I tied the backpack to the handlebars with my bungee cords! It worked surprisingly well! I had half the weight on my back so it made things a lot easier.........*counts fingers*..........twice as easy in fact!
The cycling was hard today I must admit. I was pretty ok for the first 60km but the last 20, I was really struggling. Even little kids were overtaking me! Thankfully I found the hostel pretty easily.
I don't have much news from today seeing as I was cycling for most of it, and that leads me to my next point. I was going to travel about 45km tomorrow to Drachen and then 35km the day after to Groningen, but everyday I seem to get into a town in the late afternoon, and by the time I've got settled, showered and eaten, I have about 2 hours free before I have to rest for the next day's cycling. So tomorrow, I'm going to go straight to Groningen (even though it's another 80km and I'm wrecked from today) and spend two days there. At least then I can actually get to do things!
I think tomorrow's cycle will be a lot harder than today's too, because, not only am I pretty tired, but also, I know exactly how 80kms feel, so mentally it's going to be hard.
That's all my news anyway I think. Next stop Groningen! Hopefully I'll make it there for a well earned break.
Peace out for now!
PS. Thanks for your comments so far! :)
Anyway, really good but really tough day today. I cycled my little heart out! Around 80km, taking about 7 and a half hours of cycling. I'm really pooped. It was super sunny today which made it a really nice cycle. If I woke up to rain, I think I would have just curled up and died.
Anyway, as I said, it was a really scenic cycle. I went along the coast from Medemblik to to Afsluitdijk, then all the way across that, so I was going along the coast for a good 55km of my journey. I know I've said it before, but it's amazing what a difference the sun makes! Cycling through the Dutch countryside, with the sun on my back, it just felt really good and wholesome! Although, I got a really bad farmer's tan. Not even that in fact! The top side of my arm is completely red but the underside is pale. I look ridiculous!
I left Medemblik at about half 9 and I said I'd be at the hostel for 5 so I didn't have much time to waste. But as I was cycling along I saw a sign for a waterpark. I thought I'd at least have look to see if I could be tempted (although, for any waterpark worth it's salt, you should be able to see the slides a mile away!). I followed the sign but when I got there, there was just a big warehouse in what seemed to be a dockyard. Maybe the sea was the waterpark? Or at best they had a big swimming pool in the warehouse. Either way it was super lame, so I cycled on.
The biggest problem I had with cycling over the past few days was my heavy backpack, but today I made life a lot easier for myself. I tried in the past to cycle with my backpack on the handlebars but it was much too bulky. I had brought with me my little green bag, and some bungee cords (something must have rubbed off from the FCA), so today I had a brainwave to put half of my stuff in my green bag and leave the rest in my backpack. Then I tied the backpack to the handlebars with my bungee cords! It worked surprisingly well! I had half the weight on my back so it made things a lot easier.........*counts fingers*..........twice as easy in fact!
The cycling was hard today I must admit. I was pretty ok for the first 60km but the last 20, I was really struggling. Even little kids were overtaking me! Thankfully I found the hostel pretty easily.
I don't have much news from today seeing as I was cycling for most of it, and that leads me to my next point. I was going to travel about 45km tomorrow to Drachen and then 35km the day after to Groningen, but everyday I seem to get into a town in the late afternoon, and by the time I've got settled, showered and eaten, I have about 2 hours free before I have to rest for the next day's cycling. So tomorrow, I'm going to go straight to Groningen (even though it's another 80km and I'm wrecked from today) and spend two days there. At least then I can actually get to do things!
I think tomorrow's cycle will be a lot harder than today's too, because, not only am I pretty tired, but also, I know exactly how 80kms feel, so mentally it's going to be hard.
That's all my news anyway I think. Next stop Groningen! Hopefully I'll make it there for a well earned break.
Peace out for now!
PS. Thanks for your comments so far! :)
Monday, September 8, 2008
Day 2: Medemblik
Really good day today! It's amazing what a difference the sun makes, or at least the lack of rain. I'm writing this in the kitchen of a farmhouse in some country village. It's sweet though. They have a few chalets divided into apartments, so I have my own little place. Bedroom/living room/kitchen and with a toilet and shower to myself! Only 30 quid as well, which is good seeing as the last place I stayed was 23 for just a bed in a dorm!
I'm so glad today went well. Last night I hit a real low. After a poor day in Haarlem, I went online to look for accommodation in my next stop, Den Helder. I searched for over an hour and there was absolutely nothing! Nor was there anything in any of the surrounding towns. I really didn't know what to do. I said I'd sleep on it, not really having any other option.
When I woke up this morning, the day was really in the lap of the Gods. When I was checking out of the hostel, I pleaded with the girl at the desk to find me anywhere to stay in the North West, I'd literally take a mattress in a garden shed at this stage! In fairness to her, she spent about 45 mins looking but not finding much, only a few 100E a night hotels. I really needed a miracle, and my girl came up trumps! This place in Medemblik, just North of Hoorn. She gave me a phone number and I rang to book a room. She really saved my life, my angel of Haarlem.
It was around 11 at this stage so I decided to jump on a train to Hoorn and cycle then up to Medemblik. It was about 25km from Hoorn station to the hostel and took me about 2 and a half hours. The cycling itself is grand, but having a big backpack is such a killer! My shoulders are aching, hopefully they'll be ok for tomorrow. My next journey is about 80km, probably the longest one I'll encounter. The Afsluitdijk itself is 30km. Look it up on a map, it's huge! And it looks unreal. It's like a giant land bridge.
Things actually worked out for the best. Apparently, Den Helder is really crap and it would have been a long long cycle, and I would be further away from my next stop. So, maybe this was all a blessing in disguise!
Seeing as I have a gigantic cycle tomorrow, and also because I have my own apartment, I'm going to take it easy tonight. I haven't been into the town centre at all, but it's small enough so I doubt I'm missing much. I went to a local supermarket alright and bought some dinner, and breakfast for tomorrow.
So, after a really bad day yesterday, I'm so glad today went well. And now I'm optimistic for tomorrow. Last night I really could have cried but now I'm flying again. I guess sometimes it's good to hit rock bottom so you bounce back higher than before.
Next stop Sneek!
Peace out for now :)
I'm so glad today went well. Last night I hit a real low. After a poor day in Haarlem, I went online to look for accommodation in my next stop, Den Helder. I searched for over an hour and there was absolutely nothing! Nor was there anything in any of the surrounding towns. I really didn't know what to do. I said I'd sleep on it, not really having any other option.
When I woke up this morning, the day was really in the lap of the Gods. When I was checking out of the hostel, I pleaded with the girl at the desk to find me anywhere to stay in the North West, I'd literally take a mattress in a garden shed at this stage! In fairness to her, she spent about 45 mins looking but not finding much, only a few 100E a night hotels. I really needed a miracle, and my girl came up trumps! This place in Medemblik, just North of Hoorn. She gave me a phone number and I rang to book a room. She really saved my life, my angel of Haarlem.
It was around 11 at this stage so I decided to jump on a train to Hoorn and cycle then up to Medemblik. It was about 25km from Hoorn station to the hostel and took me about 2 and a half hours. The cycling itself is grand, but having a big backpack is such a killer! My shoulders are aching, hopefully they'll be ok for tomorrow. My next journey is about 80km, probably the longest one I'll encounter. The Afsluitdijk itself is 30km. Look it up on a map, it's huge! And it looks unreal. It's like a giant land bridge.
Things actually worked out for the best. Apparently, Den Helder is really crap and it would have been a long long cycle, and I would be further away from my next stop. So, maybe this was all a blessing in disguise!
Seeing as I have a gigantic cycle tomorrow, and also because I have my own apartment, I'm going to take it easy tonight. I haven't been into the town centre at all, but it's small enough so I doubt I'm missing much. I went to a local supermarket alright and bought some dinner, and breakfast for tomorrow.
So, after a really bad day yesterday, I'm so glad today went well. And now I'm optimistic for tomorrow. Last night I really could have cried but now I'm flying again. I guess sometimes it's good to hit rock bottom so you bounce back higher than before.
Next stop Sneek!
Peace out for now :)
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Day 1: Haarlem
Ok, where do I start.....
All in all, today was middly.
It's been a loooong day. I had an early flight this morning so I've been up since 3:45. And I didn't even get much sleep before that, it was a Christmas Eve type scenario. I got to the airport fine anyway. I felt like a bit of a tool though walking through the airport with my bike, but everything went pretty well. I had to let the air out of my tyres alright, so thank God I brought my pump!
I arrived in Schiphol no problem. I was kinda hoping I'd make a plane friend but the two seats next to me were empty. Still, I got to look out the window!
I said that once I arrived in Schiphol with my bike in one piece then I'd be fine, but funnily enough that's when things turned bad. When I got outside I couldn't get the valve on my tyre, so I was trying in vain to pump up my tyres for about 5 minutes. Thankfully I finally got it to work. I said then that I better lock up my bike and look for the exit on foot cause I don't want to be holding up people behind me. I found a road marked exit straight away so I headed for that. Suddenly people started beeping at me. It turns out that road was for cars only (and that wouldn't be the only time that happened). I felt like such a cycling n00b.
Anyway, I found my cycle path, and I even found the sign for Haarlem! Things went pretty smoothly for the next 10 minutes until my path came to a junction. The path just ended and I didn't know where to go! I went back on the road again anyway......BEEEEEP!!! Ah no.
I moved onto the footpath (even though I knew that wasn't right). At least pedestrians can't beep at me....
The rain was peppering down gently, which was grand, but when I was about 4km from Haarlem it started bucketing down. It took me just over an hour to get into the city but I spent the next hour and a half actually looking for the hostel! I had the address but the street didn't seem to be on any map and people didn't know where it was. I was so annoyed and wet and sweaty at this stage. I worked my way towards the hostel going on little bits of information.
I was within touching distance of the hostel when I came to a junction. One road was small and quiet but it had a no bikes sign. The other clearly had a bikes sign but it was a dual carriage way. I went for the dual carriage way, but people were really fucking me out of it! I don't know why! It clearly had a bike sign! They weren't even trying to avoid me, they were running me right to the edge. Eventually I had to get off my bike and go through a hedge to get to the first road. I was only about 200m from the hostel at that stage anyway. I was so relieved to finally get there.
I had a shower and a lie down ( I couldn't even sleep. What's wrong with me?!), while it was still lashing outside. After that I felt a lot better. I met my two Czech roommates, Pavel and Petr. They're nice but a bit bland. I was talking to them in the bar for a while. (One of them spilt his drink all over himself. It was secretly hilarious!)
It started to clear up at about 5:30 so I headed into the town centre. It's a nice enough place, and I had a good dinner (lasagne if you hadn't guessed). So, it was a pleasant enough evening.
All in all, it wasn't a great day, but I'm still optimistic for tomorrow. The cycling isn't too bad, it's just the rain that's the killer. A man once said, "Chocolate rain, some stay dry and others feel the pain", well I didn't stay dry and I certainly felt the pain! But this was no chocolate rain, it was the watery kind. As long as it's dry tomorrow, I wont have any complaints.
Peace out for now!
PS. I'm reading! 1984 and it's quite good so far. The series might be over but I'm still getting my Big Brother fix! :D
All in all, today was middly.
It's been a loooong day. I had an early flight this morning so I've been up since 3:45. And I didn't even get much sleep before that, it was a Christmas Eve type scenario. I got to the airport fine anyway. I felt like a bit of a tool though walking through the airport with my bike, but everything went pretty well. I had to let the air out of my tyres alright, so thank God I brought my pump!
I arrived in Schiphol no problem. I was kinda hoping I'd make a plane friend but the two seats next to me were empty. Still, I got to look out the window!
I said that once I arrived in Schiphol with my bike in one piece then I'd be fine, but funnily enough that's when things turned bad. When I got outside I couldn't get the valve on my tyre, so I was trying in vain to pump up my tyres for about 5 minutes. Thankfully I finally got it to work. I said then that I better lock up my bike and look for the exit on foot cause I don't want to be holding up people behind me. I found a road marked exit straight away so I headed for that. Suddenly people started beeping at me. It turns out that road was for cars only (and that wouldn't be the only time that happened). I felt like such a cycling n00b.
Anyway, I found my cycle path, and I even found the sign for Haarlem! Things went pretty smoothly for the next 10 minutes until my path came to a junction. The path just ended and I didn't know where to go! I went back on the road again anyway......BEEEEEP!!! Ah no.
I moved onto the footpath (even though I knew that wasn't right). At least pedestrians can't beep at me....
The rain was peppering down gently, which was grand, but when I was about 4km from Haarlem it started bucketing down. It took me just over an hour to get into the city but I spent the next hour and a half actually looking for the hostel! I had the address but the street didn't seem to be on any map and people didn't know where it was. I was so annoyed and wet and sweaty at this stage. I worked my way towards the hostel going on little bits of information.
I was within touching distance of the hostel when I came to a junction. One road was small and quiet but it had a no bikes sign. The other clearly had a bikes sign but it was a dual carriage way. I went for the dual carriage way, but people were really fucking me out of it! I don't know why! It clearly had a bike sign! They weren't even trying to avoid me, they were running me right to the edge. Eventually I had to get off my bike and go through a hedge to get to the first road. I was only about 200m from the hostel at that stage anyway. I was so relieved to finally get there.
I had a shower and a lie down ( I couldn't even sleep. What's wrong with me?!), while it was still lashing outside. After that I felt a lot better. I met my two Czech roommates, Pavel and Petr. They're nice but a bit bland. I was talking to them in the bar for a while. (One of them spilt his drink all over himself. It was secretly hilarious!)
It started to clear up at about 5:30 so I headed into the town centre. It's a nice enough place, and I had a good dinner (lasagne if you hadn't guessed). So, it was a pleasant enough evening.
All in all, it wasn't a great day, but I'm still optimistic for tomorrow. The cycling isn't too bad, it's just the rain that's the killer. A man once said, "Chocolate rain, some stay dry and others feel the pain", well I didn't stay dry and I certainly felt the pain! But this was no chocolate rain, it was the watery kind. As long as it's dry tomorrow, I wont have any complaints.
Peace out for now!
PS. I'm reading! 1984 and it's quite good so far. The series might be over but I'm still getting my Big Brother fix! :D
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Day 0: Cork
Ooooh! My very first entry!
Ok, nothing's happened yet, I'm just at home in bed. But tomorrow will be the start of my grand adventure! Just think of this as a prologue.
So, I'm all set to go. I took my bike to the bike man earlier in the week so hopefully it's in tip top shape. Also, on a side note, I've noticed that everyone who owns a bike shop is super nice!
Anyway, I bought a bell too, so I'm ready to 'bring bring' my way around Holland!
Today was the first time it all kinda hit me. I'm feeling excited but very nervous. I'll be fine once I'm standing outside Schiphol Airport with my bike in hand. I'm dreading the thought of it being damaged on the plane though. I've never been abroad by myself before, or cycled super long distances so that's making me feel a bit jittery at the moment but once I have the first day down and I get into a routine, I'll be grand.
Anyway, I'm waffling on and I haven't even left yet!
Peace out for now,
Mark
Ok, nothing's happened yet, I'm just at home in bed. But tomorrow will be the start of my grand adventure! Just think of this as a prologue.
So, I'm all set to go. I took my bike to the bike man earlier in the week so hopefully it's in tip top shape. Also, on a side note, I've noticed that everyone who owns a bike shop is super nice!
Anyway, I bought a bell too, so I'm ready to 'bring bring' my way around Holland!
Today was the first time it all kinda hit me. I'm feeling excited but very nervous. I'll be fine once I'm standing outside Schiphol Airport with my bike in hand. I'm dreading the thought of it being damaged on the plane though. I've never been abroad by myself before, or cycled super long distances so that's making me feel a bit jittery at the moment but once I have the first day down and I get into a routine, I'll be grand.
Anyway, I'm waffling on and I haven't even left yet!
Peace out for now,
Mark
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