The rest of our Dutch trip

Including travel, Neil and I had five days away. We could do a bit more than the family day. On the first day we already did a bit of exploration of Amersfoort. We arrived in the late afternoon, and we decided to have dinner in town. It’s beautiful there! 

On our way to pick up the rental bikes. Pic by Neil

Our cabin seen from the front. Pic by Neil

The inside. Pic by Neil

On the Hof, with St George’s church in the background. Pic by Neil

On the first full day, we went to see Monique. Neil suggested we put our bikes on the train, and bike from Meppel. That sounded like fun! But I did require one thing: that the train would actually have space for our bicycles. The first train we tried did not. The second didn't either. It was a sunny Whitsun weekend! Everyone was out. 

We were fairly close to deciding to just park the bikes, and phone Monique to pick us up, when a third train actually would take us. And from then on all went smoothly.

I don't have a map of the Meppel area, so we just had to navigate on our phones. A lot of standing still and checking the route! I can't say we took. the most logical one. But we got there. It was a bit warm, but we were ok.

At Monique’s we mainly spend our time drinking tea and catching up. We had a bit of rehydration to do. Mike and Monique also thought it was a bit warm, so were quite happy to sit under the ceiling fan and not go on wild adventures. 

On the way back we found a more direct route. And we came past a cracking windmill! That was a nice bonus.
 

Neil and windmill

We wanted to see my mum that evening. We also needed food at some point. And Neil was curious about Indonesian food. And I figured we might combine these three things. There is an Indonesian takeaway right around my mum's corner, and I had never been. I love Indonesian food! So I proposed to him and my mum that we would just get some takeaway, and it eat at her place. She thought it was an excellent idea! But she didn't want to try any of it.

The advantage of eating it at my mum's place was as well that we could have a quick cold shower before dinner. After all the biking in the heat we sort of needed it.

We also had a (half) day in Amsterdam planned. But we did not want to spend all day there, so in the morning I first went for a run. You could run from our accommodation straight into the woods where I normally go for a run if I'm in the area. If I stay at my mum, I first I have to run for some 20 minutes to get there. Now I was in there instantly! And I ran a bit further east than normal, past the wind blown sands where my dad used to take us when we were small kids. 

At the Soestduinen wind blown sands

Neil went for a bike ride. I directed him towards the reclaimed land of Eemnes! And he loved it. He also went to an Amersfoort museum while I had some time together with my mum. Just the two of us. 

In Amsterdam I took him to Central Station, and then we walked past some interesting places to where I used to live in the Frans Halsstraat. And from there to Museum Square. And then back to Central Station, and then straight to the restaurant where we had agreed to meet Roelof. 

Posing (in the bright sun) with the Sluyswacht. Pic by Neil

 

Touristy picture on Leidseplein. Pic by Neil

Bitterballen with Roelof. Pic by Neil

On the day of travel we had time in the morning, so after getting up in checking out the first brought the higher bikes back, and then had it for a local cheese shop. The one on Muurhuizen had gone, but there still was one on the Langestraat. I don't think Neil has ever seen that much cheese. And then we had the last cup of coffee with my mum. 

Amersfoort cheese shop. Pic by Neil

 

Pic with some of my favourite people! Pic by Neil

As a last goodbye to Amersfoort we walked to the station via an ice cream parlour. It really was weather for that. And from there everything went smoothly again. No problems getting back to the UK, and no problems getting back to the Neil’s place. There I briefly said hi to his cat before I got into my car in order to go and see mine. And then the adventure was over!

This was the first time Neil and I travelled anywhere. We both decided it had been a great success! We had had a lovely time, and there had been no friction whatsoever. There had been moments where at least one of us I was getting a bit fragile because of the relentless heat, but we never took that out on each other. 

The customer is still young. We might get up to more things like that before autumn hits. I hope so!

Family day

The reason I went to the Netherlands this specific weekend was the annual family day. It was organised by the Haarlem part of the family, and would take place in the dunes. I love the dunes! My cousin Bart had booked a part of the visitor centre, and he mentioned the idea was to go swimming in a little dune lake as well. Sounded fine. 

The visitor centre was only some 20 minutes walking from the nearest train station, so Neil and I got on our bikes in the morning and took the train west. We changed trains in Amsterdam, where we found my nephew David. That was nice! He hadn't met Neil yet. And it turned out that my other nephew Abe had caught the train as well, but at the very last moment, so he was at the far end. And it was a very sunny Whitsun weekend, so obviously, the train to the beach was absolutely rammed.

We walked up with the four of us, and found the visitors centre without problems. Quite a number of people were already there. And there was coffee and cake for whoever wanted it. A good start!

Everybody introduced themselves to Neil, and they were all happy I had brought him. And I was glad I had made him a cheat sheet so he could remember who was who, and how everyone was related.

What with the coast being very busy that day, there were a few people stuck in traffic, so it took a while before we were complete. But it pretty much happened! Everyone you might expect to be there was there, except two children; one, I think, was too busy with exams, and the other one was poorly. And that is sad, but altogether the turnout was good.

My uncle Dick does an introduction 

Lunch happened quite soon after the coffee. And we had long tables, so you could move around a bit, and try to catch up with every branch of the family present. It is a lovely bunch!

After lunch, many of us indeed went to the little lake. It was busy! But nice. In no time, my sister’s sons were hurling my cousin’s son as high out of the water as they could, to his delight. But we didn’t stay in the water very long. 

On the way to the dune lake

By the lake

The lake itself

We got back and had some tea and cake and suchlike. It was all rather relaxed! I suppose that’s good if you are in a heatwave, you have elderly people there (like my dad), and the most important thing is catching up anyway. There was  plenty to talk about! 

After the tea there was a split. Those who lived far away and needed to get there left. Everybody else walked a few minutes down the road to a pancake restaurant. Pancakes! Who doesn’t love them. 

After the pancakes it was time to go our separate ways. I had really enjoyed it. Next year it will be in Enschede.  Bring it on! 

To the Netherlands - with Neil

I travel to the Netherlands quite regularly, but this time it would be different. Neil was coming with me. He had been interested in meeting my family. 

Normally, I take the train, and sleep (mostly) at my mum’s. But Neil wasn’t keen on the Eurostar, and it would be a bit much to stay at my mum’s with the two of us. If only because her guest room only features a single bed. So everything would be different, including travel mode and stay location. 

We would fly, and it would make sense to fly from Manchester. I found some convenient flights, and they went to Eindhoven. That is considerably further away from Amersfoort (where I wanted to stay) than Schiphol, but I stuck with it anyway. And I had never used that airport.

I also had to sort accommodation. I hoped there would still be nice options. Amersfoort is quite beautiful, and I can imagine people go there for touristic reasons. But when I plotted options on the map, I saw that there was some sort of holiday park just outside the city. That actually looked quite good! It would only be a 15 minute bike ride from my mum. But you would have the advantage of being out in the countryside. The place rented out little cabins, and they still had availability. I could imagine us after a busy day of meeting family, sitting outside our lovely cabin, looking out over the fields and having a drink. It sounded idyllic! 

As it would be a drag to walk to our accommodation, or take the bus, it did mean we would have to rent bicycles. But I had found a nice family business in the old city centre that rented out bikes. So I suppose that meant we were sorted!

On the day of travel, I got up early, and drove to Llandudno. I jumped into Neil’s car and we were off. He had sorted airport parking.

I thought we would be on one of the standard parking lots, but instead we were booked on a park-and-ride. That was fine too! It was a bit hidden away, but it worked fine. Soon we were in the correct terminal. There was hardly anybody at security, and passport control also went smoothly. We decided to have a coffee while waiting for our gate to be announced. And we also took the time to talk about my family. I had made a little cheat sheet for him, with pictures and names of everybody I thought would be there. I had raided group pictures of earlier family gatherings.

Going to the gate went fine, and boarding, and flying. In Eindhoven we had to do quite some walking in the blazing sun; I think they are doing quite some work on that airport. But it was fine. When we got to passport control, I was through a lot quicker, being an EU citizen. I had plenty of time to refill my water bottles. Then we had to venture out into the heat again, finding a bus to the railway station. That meant walking past some bicycle parking. Neil didn't know what was happening to him! And this wasn't even a particularly big one. 

There was a bus standing ready. When we got to the railway station, there was a train about to leave in only a few minutes. Changing trains in Utrecht was easy as well. Neil was very impressed with how smooth public transport in the Netherlands was! He was also amazed by the double-decker trains. And how comfortable they are.

Bike parking in Amersfoort

 

In Amersfoort, we first went to the bike rental, as it was still open. We got ourselves two typically Dutch bikes: heavy, comfortable, and for sitting upright. And with inbuilt lights, and fixed locks. I thought they were lovely!

On these bikes we could go to our accommodation. Again, Neil didn't know what was happening to him. There were bikes everywhere! And quite a lot of them were going quite fast. And it wasn't always particularly clear to what extent they would stick to the rules. But everything went fine.

The reception of our holiday park was closed by then, but they had emailed me the code to a little key safe. We found our cabin, and were happy to put our bags down. I had had an idea of what to expect, but Neil hadn't. He was impressed! We were right on the outside of the park, with next to us fields with horses in. Very peaceful and quiet.

Neil posing on his rental bike by our cabin (the rear)

The view from our cabin

We both wanted to have a cold shower, as it had been a hot day, and we had just travelled quite a distance with five different modes of transport. And after that we were ready to face the rest of the trip. Travelling in was now over! And it could barely have gone any better!

Stress of marking combined with leaving

When the teaching stops, things get less hectic. A lot of stuff still needs to happen, but it isn’t important anymore at what time it does. If you have a lecture at 10, a meeting at 12, and a tutorial at 3, you may only have 3 hours timetabled, but you will be busy at least 4 because you also have to get to the venues, and the rest of the day is very fragmented. Once teaching stops, you can often just spend hours working on a task with little interruption. 

It can still be hectic. We have a sharp deadline for the marking of all the work by graduating students (3rd and 4th years). And there is a lot to do! Especially if you are also the academic integrity officer. If everyone is marking, you get a lot of suspect cases directed your way. 

I had started my marking with the 1st year essays as they came in first. Then I proceeded with the 3rd year dissertations of the students I had supervised myself. Only five of them; two didn’t submit. Then the first exam came in and I marked that. 

Then my two remaining dissertation students submitted after all. You just never know! Students get a week from the deadline, and if they then still don’t submit, they get a zero. Except that they can just get an extension at any time; even after that week. So I had to go and mark them after all. Im glad they submitted, but I’m not glad you never know how big your marking load is. 

I am also quite aware that I am the module organiser for the dissertation module. I can't moan at people to do their marking on time if I don't do it myself! So I have to be exemplary in my dissertation marking discipline.

I was going to the Netherlands, and I had arranged a cat sitter. That meant preparing for that as well. Clean the house, make sure the bed she would sleep in had clean sheets, hide a key, give her all the information she needs. It doesn’t sound like much work! But I wanted to clean bathroom and kitchen, and hoover the rest of the house, and that does take a while. 

I also had to pack. So it was a bit stressful! But I got it done. And then I was ready to not think about work at all for a few days in the country of my birth!

Clean kitchen

Sweeping TES Gyrn Wigau

During the run-up of the Eryri Harriers presentation night I became aware that there was going to be a new race on the Tuesday evening series (TES). It would be right in my backyard. Some of it is part of my regular stomping ground. I was excited about that! I didn't want to run it; I think I should steer clear of fell racing. Too dangerous for my knees. But given that I live so close, I figured I would be an ideal position to volunteer. So I dropped the organiser, Math,  an email. He happily accepted.

Closer to the day, Math asked me if I wanted to sweep the race. I was happy to. I have never done that before! I had imagined myself marshalling. But this would be some new experience! Even though I was a tiny bit worried. When we had done a recce of the route, I had completely failed to keep up with the 80-somethings with us on the way down. As a sweep, you are supposed to be able to keep up with the slowest runners. And let's face it; members of the 80+ category might very well be among slowest runners. 

A few days before the race became clear the weather was not going to be good. This was going to be a wet and cold experience! I decided to dress to the occasion. I was wearing a long sleeved shirt, with a thin fleece, and then my waterproof running jacket over the top. And then my hat for running in the rain. And gloves.

Below the waist I was just going for three-quarter leggings. Warmer than shorts! And not waterproof, but I was resigned to getting a bit soggy. After the finish I could just shoot home and have a shower.

Math had asked me to wear hi viz, so that went over the top. And I had taken an old race number and written "Sweep" in big letters on the back. I fixed that to the front. That would make me quite recognisable!

Race headquarters were at the farm. I biked there, and already saw a lot of people associated with the race along the way. It was still dry! But that wouldn't last.

Race HQ Im a horse box

Headquarters was a horsebox in a field. The field was for parking. Very charming! And after a while I made my way to the start. It started raining. Several people saw my sign and suggested they might be the person I would end up running with. Among them Hazel, an Eryri Harrier in the 60+ category, and John, a Buckley runner of 80+. 

Math (with big moustache) gives race instructions 

Math gave some final instructions, and then we were off. Then in the beginning, it was indeed Hazel and John I was sticking with. One person showed up a bit late at the start and came overtaking all of us, and then I was back with my familiar two.

Colourful dots swarming over the hill

On the flank of Moel Faban

We were so slow that the first runners of the kids’ race already came storming past before we left their course. They headed straight up Moel Faban, while we skirted around, and then crossed the valley. I could soon see a nicely colourful line of dots make its way across the valley.

Hazel (the grey-clad arm) and me being stormed past by the juniors

I knew that crossing the valley was going to be a damp experience. And it was! From both sides. By then it was raining so hard I had to put my hood over my hat, and also, that valley is a bit swampy. But that was fine!

On the other side we were just making up a route to the ridge. And as soon as we were on the ridge, we would be on an actual path for quite a while. But uphill for quite some distance. I would stay with Hazel, but she was never very far from either John, or two runners that turned out to be from Prestatyn. 

The weather stayed horizontal rain, but I was snug in my waterproof jacket. I was actually enjoying it!

After a while we hit the path that would lead back down into the valley again. There was a very miserable looking marshal there. He looked really happy to see us, because the whole point of having a sweep is that the marshals know they can go home as soon as this person has passed them. 

From there the path went  downhill, and Hazel shot off. I wasn't surprised! Last year, she had competed in the Tryfan downhill race. I just did my best keeping up. I wasn't doing too bad. And luckily, John and the Prestatyns weren’t quite as good on the downhill as she was, so while she vanished in the distance, I tagged onto them. 

I was satisfied with my performance. And then we came past another miserable-looking marshal who could now leave. I realised I had so dodged a bullet by being asked to sweep! I could keep moving.

For a while it was the four of us: Prestatyn, John, and me. Until we headed into Bwlch ym Mhwll Lle. Prestatyn went the sensible way, over the path in the middle, but John scampered up the steep slope. That way he could cut off a corner, but I figured he would be back on the path soon; there was one part of the route that was mandatory, and if he would stay high, he would miss it. So I decided to stick with Prestatyn. Surely, after cutting that corner John would rejoin us.

We came around the corner and John was nowhere to be seen. Oh dear! I had lost one of my runners. I figured Prestatyn was going to be OK. I scampered up the hill, hoping to catch a glimpse of him. Nothing! Just empty moor land.

At some point I figured I had better get back to the path. I found Ross, who was doing the race management. Math might have been the organiser, but he was also running! And would come third. Ross didn't know who John was, but he did know he hadn't seen him. I then asked the race WhatsApp group if John had already finished. I quickly got a phone call from Math. He didn't know, but he suggested I just come to the finish.

Just before the incline which was to finish, I bumped into Mike, who was also involved in the organisation. He wondered what the situation was; he had probably heard from Ross what my worries were. But I just saw someone who from a distance quite looked like John run up the incline. So he had come out at the correct path after all! And wasn't missing. Great! I scampered up the incline myself. In for a penny, in for a pound!

Ross clocked John in and that was the end of the race. People were already taking down the last markers and signs. Everyone was wet and wanted to go home. I walked some distance back with John, but he was parked somewhere else. When he peeled off I started running again. The quicker back at the bike, the quicker home!

The field was almost deserted by the time I arrived. But that isn't strange. There are no presentations at a TES race (I think), and while John had finished in 1h 41, the winner had only needed 41 minutes. And no one wants to hang around in rubbish weather. Come to think of that; neither did I. So I put my bicycle helmet back on and made my way home. I couldn't wait to have a shower and then get into some dry clothes! And it would take days before my soggy socks, leggings and gloves would be dry again. 

In spite of losing my last runner, I had actually quite enjoyed this! And I think I am just about fast enough on the downhill to do the job. It is just a bit tricky your runners are so spread out you can't keep an eye on all of them. But if someone asks me again to sweep I'll say yes! And I will already have my special sweep race number…

Bicycle path closes again for bridge removal

It has been really great to be able to use the whole length of the bicycle path for a while. But I knew that there was going to be one last interruption. Recent closures had been because of the installation of a new bridge. Now they also wanted to take the old bridge away.

One Monday morning I avoided the path on the way out. I assumed it was closed, but you can’t tell unless you try, and might get turned back. On the way back I indeed bumped into a fence that stopped me continuing on the bicycle path, and forced me onto the road. It had begun!

Closure has been predicted to only be a week. So I figured that soon, I will be able to admire the new bridge, and mourn the loss of the old one. I think the old one is a lot more beautiful. But I acknowledge that the new bridge now makes it possible for cyclists to come all the way from Bangor over the cycle path, and without having to spend as much as a meter on the A5 (the through road here), continue all the way up to Llyn Ogwen. That didn’t used to be possible. If you would go over the old bridge you would have to somehow get your bike through a kissing gate. And the path leading to that gate starts out so steep that only very stubborn and fit people would be able to bike it uphill. So in that way, it is a clear win! 

To the GP for my dupuytren

I was just talking to a colleague when the topic of Dupuytren came up. He immediately showed me his hand. He had it too! And he mentioned another colleague who did, as well. He was receiving radiotherapy for it. Radiotherapy! That interested me. He was being treated here in North Wales. 

I would like that! I had briefly researched it. It seems you can stop the process. That would be great. I have seen how debilitating it is when the disease progresses, as my father has it. He has had surgery several times. That’s a pain! But the hands you can’t open are a pain too. But I had not found any facilities who offer it in Wales. But clearly, I had overlooked something. 

I went to see my GP about it. She said the NHS wouldn’t do anything until I would lose function. I didn’t think that was a good idea. Why let it get that far when you can prevent it? And what about my colleague? The GP said she would make inquiries. 

I didn’t think it would be such a damp squib! But I will sure go and investigate going private within Wales. One would think it is possible! 

My hand with no visible symptoms (yet)