Year Round Commuter, Cyclist and Adventure Seeker.

This morning I was wakened by Jean-Paul (JP) at 430am. - I was kind enough to be invited on a goose hunt with him. JP is a keen hunter and has all the gear, licenses and training, and along with Hans Jnr, go very often to German on arranged trips. This mornings early rise was local, and along with Floyd his young hunt dog, involved us meeting up with his friend Klaas, and several other non- dual english speaking friends for a few hours very early sat morning run out. I had my green camouflage jacket and had on, and merely spectated. - It was a beautiful morning and I sat in silence, as there is only an opening normaly 6-8am when the geese fly overhead where we were. To be honest it was very quiet, the still wind meant the geese were quite high, but Klaas and JP managed to get a couple. - I was also given the opportunity to fire a shot into the air from his gun, which showed you it had a hell of a kick. 1 of the other party had hit a goose that had fallen into a near by field. What I wa...

Today we did tourist thing and decided to do the full day and evening trip to Amsterdam. B was kind to show us way to Baarn Railway station and we headed in on the 45 min journey at 1020am. - the greeting we had of a drunk German tosser on the train in was a bit of a sour start but it was fun to see him getting lifted by the police on our arrival in Amsterdam. We had not decided what to do but upon a quick coffee, get our bearings (been 11 years since here ), we decided to go to the Amsterdam Dungeons first as a treat for the kids. With live actors it was quite fun, but in my honest opinion a bit on the expensive side at 68euros. Next we decided to go to Ann Frank's house. There was a hell of a queue but after 45 mins we were in. I sent wife and kids away for a bit to eat as I waited in the queue. This story was very humbling and a special part to me personally of our day adventure. After that kids wanted shops. Euan and I were buying holland tops and as they continued to shop I ch...

Killing time blogging this on my phone as I queue for Ann Franks Hoose ! On Tuesday night after we got back I went a quick 28km on the bike. Stayed locally obv, was 830pm. Went from Soest to Amersfoort - this was first time outside uk I had been on my bike. Let's just say I got a bit lost on way back. Was getting towards 1030pm. Dark and my phone died. Sweated a bit but eventually found my way back. Next morning I joined B on her daily commute to work. Then found my way back successfully - another 37km done. That afternoon Margaret and Hans along with the next generation - Eliza Hubb Stein and Gwen - we had an afternoon at working windmill and then observed Hans working with his bees. The honey is starting to mature. :). After dinner we made an evening visit to Hans Jnr for a quick catch up. Major sat nav failure. - nearly ended up at the end of a cycle path but got there eventually. Delivered him a case of Irn Bru. Euan managed to lock himself in the toilet and as we left 1 of And...

Morning after arriving in Ashford we had a hearty breakfast before taking the car to the channel tunnel. This was only 15 miles away so was easy to get to. This was a surreal experience as I had never done this. Also remembering bike was on roof to go into the correct section. Lol. Was weird a car going on a train. Then a mere 30 mins later we were in France. Then the big bit. For any 1 that know me I'm rushing towards 40, been driving since I was 18 and never driven on the right. Straight off at Calais it was onto the motor way and a 220 mile trip to Soest. - Surprisingly I took to it very well, clearly more alert and thinking what I was doing. Well we have now been here for 3 days and it ain't been a problem. Unknown why I thought it would be. Touch wood. Journey time was 4 hrs. - Arrived at our cousins around 430pm and settled in and met every1. Dinner then went with JP (Jean-Paul) and B (Barbara) to the dunes with Floyd the dog. :) Next morning we decided to stay local an...

Today we travelled nearly 500 miles from our home in South West Scotland to our overnight stay in Ashford, some 20 miles from Folkstone. Armed with Scott's new bike we planned a few hours to see their new home in Hinckley, meet the new dog and grab some lunch. Left home at 830 am and after a couple stops arrived in Hinckley at 230pm. Enjoyed a good catch up then went for an Indian buffet with the girls and Scott and Karyn, before chilling in the sun before heading back off. We left Hinckley at 530pm via M1, M25 then onto route towards Folkstone. Forgot the bloody Grand Prix was on so a very long 4 hr drive ensued........ Start stop for well over 100 miles. Anyway got here at 930pm. Quick light bite and hyper kids to bed. - up sharp mora. Euro tunnel then drive towards the Netherlands. Gulp.

Well on the dawn of a major road trip to our cousins in the town of Soest near Amsterdam. leave our home in South West Scotland, mora 8am, via Hinckley for lunch with the Reilly's and deliver Scott's new bike 2 weeks prior to the London to Brighton night cycle. Just finished packing, the addresses are in the Sat Nav, will be an early night. - looking forward to it. Off for 16 days - Wooohooo

On Tuesday Myself and Neil did the 3rd of the 7 Stanes at Ae Forest . We arrived at around Noon and grabbed a quick coffee, then got the bikes read and headed out.   We did - Larch-View-Route Ae-Line-Trail The-Shredder Ae-Downhill Finishing at around 5pm, lets just say I was knackered. - We covered more than 29 miles, mostly up bloody hill lol  Went over the handlebars and fell sideways but nothing more than a bruised ego. lol. Even McMillian Fell ... A fantastic day out, but I was sore as hell on Wednesday !