Making Plans

Sunday, July 8th
Coast of Holland.



(that's a beach house!)

Woke up to pouring rain and in the dumps. Thought about staying in my tent cave all day, hidden in the woods.
But when the rain stopped late morning, I decided to venture forth. I have to say the events of the evening before upset my mojo, but it was my own fault camping so out in the open. Not again. Hide to camp: Pretend your hiding from the bad guys (attackers) but you're really hiding from the good guys (cops):) Crazy, mixed-up world, this is! And it's beginning to get to me. I'm feeling more stressed now than ever before. Tonight I'm camped along the cycle path further north off in desert brush, but hopefully hidden by the hilly terrain. That was my attempt any way. And like last night I've got my tent tied out instead of staked because of loose sand and wind. I'm having flashbacks of camping in the southern California desert one particular night. But I think the wind was worse then.

So in my funk this morning I cycled into the next town...large industrial town...and found coffee and wifi. And I used a lifeline: called Dennis:). (that's because I saw he was on Skype and he was up because he had taken his sister to the airport early). I was on the verge of tears. Lost. Unhappy. Tired. Tired if a lot if things: rain, moving, hiding, not understanding the signs (trying not to break any laws but pushing the edge of the envelope). Maybe 2 months is my new limit at least moving like this: alone in a foreign country.

Dennis did some research for me on flights home using frequent flyer miles (economy) from various cities I am near and the best option came up in Hamburg which is near where my biker friend, Heike, has an office. So I called her (after a call to Heike in Cork to get her number - it is nice having friends over here:)) and together we came up with a plan: I'm booking that flight home on the 25th from Hamburg. I'll bike to Bremen (after visiting Amsterdam) and stay with friends of the Heikes. From there I'll take the train to Hamburg on Sunday the 22nd.


Cycle road intersection and road markers!


That gives me a bit more time to enjoy (stress) my trip and a plan to go home and enjoy the end of summer. Now if my gut would just let go and realize no one's going to wake us tonight, I'd be happier.

I'm sitting in my tent in the late evening light eating last night's leftovers of pasta and green beans with pesto. Now my scrumptious chocolate bar dessert.

I think this trip may have quenched my thirst for foreign travel. At least like this: alone, on bike, free camping. We'll see how the next few weeks go. Sometimes I'm not as tough as I like to think I am. And that's okay too. I've had to be do tough my whole life: raising my daughters alone, corporate job, just being a woman in man's world ...that I don't know how to deal withy fears when I have them. I know everything will be all right. I know I'll get my mojo back. Sometimes I wonder what I'm thinking. Do I forget I'm a 62 year old woman? Maybe I am certifiably insane! And when I go home what am I going to do? That just remains to be seen.

Ya know you get the raw, uncensored "me". My ups. My downs. Some days traveling like this feels as easy as pie. Other days I want a "weekend". A day to unwind, to catch my breath, to just relax. And I haven't figured out how to do that. When I got a room a while back, I got bored pretty quickly just wandering around, watching some TV, joking around with the pub owners. This daily dose of endorphins is addictive. It felt awfully good to do some biking when I finally left the pub today after over 4 hours there!

Ok. Enough babbling. That's the plan.

Do I hear voices? I'm getting paranoid! And I don't have the veil of darkness to hide in. Sun doesn't set until maybe 10:30? Could someone let me know?

I need a bit of tent yoga, reading time, and uninterrupted sleep.

Zzzzzz. BagLady

That was at 8:30. Now it's 11:00 pm and I've moved. Some grumpy Dutchman approached my tent about an hour after I finished writing and not 5 minutes after I laid my head down yelling "You have 5 minutes to leave before I call the cops! Can't you read? No camping!". I can read, but not Dutch says I. And I've not been able to find one symbol or reference that says No Camping. "5 minutes!" It will take me 30 minutes to pack up. " You have 5 minutes!". Then he left. I never saw him because I never opened the tent. The cops were nicer. So once again I packed up. This time I headed back about 3 miles to where I knew there were some woods. Now I'm totally lost in here because there are trails everywhere. No place to really hide but I think it's late enough everyone's gone home to bed. I hope Grumpy went back to check and see if I'd gone. So I'm not paranoid and I need to get away from these cycle paths and use the roads. I'd rather deal with cars and be able to find places to camp. That was more fun. Off to sleep. I think I'm okay for another night:).
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Making Plans

Sunday, July 8th
Coast of Holland.



(that's a beach house!)

Woke up to pouring rain and in the dumps. Thought about staying in my tent cave all day, hidden in the woods.
But when the rain stopped late morning, I decided to venture forth. I have to say the events of the evening before upset my mojo, but it was my own fault camping so out in the open. Not again. Hide to camp: Pretend your hiding from the bad guys (attackers) but you're really hiding from the good guys (cops):) Crazy, mixed-up world, this is! And it's beginning to get to me. I'm feeling more stressed now than ever before. Tonight I'm camped along the cycle path further north off in desert brush, but hopefully hidden by the hilly terrain. That was my attempt any way. And like last night I've got my tent tied out instead of staked because of loose sand and wind. I'm having flashbacks of camping in the southern California desert one particular night. But I think the wind was worse then.

So in my funk this morning I cycled into the next town...large industrial town...and found coffee and wifi. And I used a lifeline: called Dennis:). (that's because I saw he was on Skype and he was up because he had taken his sister to the airport early). I was on the verge of tears. Lost. Unhappy. Tired. Tired if a lot if things: rain, moving, hiding, not understanding the signs (trying not to break any laws but pushing the edge of the envelope). Maybe 2 months is my new limit at least moving like this: alone in a foreign country.

Dennis did some research for me on flights home using frequent flyer miles (economy) from various cities I am near and the best option came up in Hamburg which is near where my biker friend, Heike, has an office. So I called her (after a call to Heike in Cork to get her number - it is nice having friends over here:)) and together we came up with a plan: I'm booking that flight home on the 25th from Hamburg. I'll bike to Bremen (after visiting Amsterdam) and stay with friends of the Heikes. From there I'll take the train to Hamburg on Sunday the 22nd.


Cycle road intersection and road markers!


That gives me a bit more time to enjoy (stress) my trip and a plan to go home and enjoy the end of summer. Now if my gut would just let go and realize no one's going to wake us tonight, I'd be happier.

I'm sitting in my tent in the late evening light eating last night's leftovers of pasta and green beans with pesto. Now my scrumptious chocolate bar dessert.

I think this trip may have quenched my thirst for foreign travel. At least like this: alone, on bike, free camping. We'll see how the next few weeks go. Sometimes I'm not as tough as I like to think I am. And that's okay too. I've had to be do tough my whole life: raising my daughters alone, corporate job, just being a woman in man's world ...that I don't know how to deal withy fears when I have them. I know everything will be all right. I know I'll get my mojo back. Sometimes I wonder what I'm thinking. Do I forget I'm a 62 year old woman? Maybe I am certifiably insane! And when I go home what am I going to do? That just remains to be seen.

Ya know you get the raw, uncensored "me". My ups. My downs. Some days traveling like this feels as easy as pie. Other days I want a "weekend". A day to unwind, to catch my breath, to just relax. And I haven't figured out how to do that. When I got a room a while back, I got bored pretty quickly just wandering around, watching some TV, joking around with the pub owners. This daily dose of endorphins is addictive. It felt awfully good to do some biking when I finally left the pub today after over 4 hours there!

Ok. Enough babbling. That's the plan.

Do I hear voices? I'm getting paranoid! And I don't have the veil of darkness to hide in. Sun doesn't set until maybe 10:30? Could someone let me know?

I need a bit of tent yoga, reading time, and uninterrupted sleep.

Zzzzzz. BagLady

That was at 8:30. Now it's 11:00 pm and I've moved. Some grumpy Dutchman approached my tent about an hour after I finished writing and not 5 minutes after I laid my head down yelling "You have 5 minutes to leave before I call the cops! Can't you read? No camping!". I can read, but not Dutch says I. And I've not been able to find one symbol or reference that says No Camping. "5 minutes!" It will take me 30 minutes to pack up. " You have 5 minutes!". Then he left. I never saw him because I never opened the tent. The cops were nicer. So once again I packed up. This time I headed back about 3 miles to where I knew there were some woods. Now I'm totally lost in here because there are trails everywhere. No place to really hide but I think it's late enough everyone's gone home to bed. I hope Grumpy went back to check and see if I'd gone. So I'm not paranoid and I need to get away from these cycle paths and use the roads. I'd rather deal with cars and be able to find places to camp. That was more fun. Off to sleep. I think I'm okay for another night:).
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"You Can't Camp Here" Say the Cops

Saturday, July 7th
West coast of Holland - at the beach, of course!
Glorious sun all day!



Vendor at village fair...loved her outfit!


Caught one of the grey-haired ladies:)


Oh, the sun and beach! Woes me!!!!

I haven't made many miles, but I'm feeling more comfortable here. People aren't really approaching me as they usually do which feels a bit different. It feels like they can tell I'm not Dutch even before I speak.

Found a beach mall and a delightfully modern tea shop with free wifi!


Had an iced green tea with mint, lime, and brown sugar. Yum. Actually had TWO! Got to sit outside and soak up the light and the heat. Most of the afternoon. I was there do long that Jon, the butcher made a comment and then joined me for over half an hour. It was the first warm greeting to Holland and he helped me understand some things. He didn't think my free camping would be an issue and that the cops would be gentle with me. I learned where sticking up your middle finger came from (the days of war with powerful bows when the French cut off your middle finger if they captured you - see, I still have mine, it says) and yes, animals with a healthy life have meat that is different: more redness, better texture, definitely better. Nice to have my hypothesis confirmed!


Ok...I can camp on the beach...all night if I want to...even have a fire...but don't fall asleep!

Now I'm sitting I'm a beach parking lot.


Yup. For bikes. I'm trying to figure out where'll I'll camp tonight. There's a dunes preserve that doesn't say No Camping so I may go in there. There's a gate to get in but the whole thing is fenced with electric fencing. Not sure who or what they're trying to keep out. (Found out there are rare fuzzy cows in there somewhere.) There are paved trails with sand blown over them. If I can manage to get Blaze through the gate (the spring may be an issue), I'll camp along the trail. Trying to get a sense of how much it's travelled. Oops, rain coming!!

It stopped while I was setting up. Decided to use the parking lot, but underneath the sand is a sort of pavement. Won't hold stakes. So I've tied out the rain fly using my bear lines (2) to the posts of the bike racks. That will help with the wind, too. WHile I was setting up, some thirtysomethings started talking to me. One of the guys was wondering why anyone would travel like this, did I know how dark it would be later, I must have enough money to do this...most people do it when they are twenty...would I be safe? i think, because it's out in the open, it's actually safer...and no one seems concerned about my tent here. Just wish these kids would go home. Also, I can't understand what people are saying which is a bit unnerving. And there's wonderful music coming from the beach. SInce it's for a 40th anniversary party, I'm hoping it won't go too late:) Don't you wonder how I know this? There was a sign on the bar as I started to go in that said "40 jar" (or somethng like that) and a picture of a couple. (But then again...this band could be a repeat of my night on the ferry...oh, I hope not!)

BagLady



That's a dog in the basket under the wire cage and the cloth for shade:)

I have got to do a better job of catching all the different types of bikes here...AMAZING!



Notice the kids ride up front with no helmet and a windscreen!

p.s. and I want you know that I tried to use a campground tonight since I am just outside Den Haag, a city...but they wanted 38 euros...about $50! Cough! Cough! I can't do that! And I have this spot at the beach, no less...for FREE! I did have to explain to those young folks I met that I didn't know any other woman who did what I do. Didn't want them thinking that all American women were like me:) They said their impression of Americans is what they see on TV: lots of drugs and lots of sex! That's very sad.

10:35 pm. Busted! Yup. Cops. 9:40 pm. Can't camp here. But it doesn't say it...anywhere. I read all the signs. I thought because I wouldn't damage the parking area, this would be okay. You alone? Yes. There's a campground just back there. I know. They want 38 euros. I can't afford that. Not our problem. It's starting to rain. Not our problem. There's a cheaper campground about 5 miles back. Can't camp here. Ok. I'll pack up.

They leave and I pack in the rain. I'm good at that by now:). Thought about just going up in the dunes but thought they might look for me. Wanted to cry. Felt so alone and didn't know what I was going to do. Bike all night? Sleep on my bike? Go back to the tea house where I could get wifi and call someone? No. For now, pedal north. And as I pulled over to get out my umbrella a couple walking stopped to chat. I told them what happened. Guess I have to Hond a place to hide tonight. I told them to get going because they didn't have an umbrella and biked on...feeling better just from that bit of contact and some laughs. Then,I see a lane off the cycle path and take it. Then another less used, overgrown lane from that and...voila! A place in the woods, in the stinging nettle patch. For me.

Shit! Someone just walked by. Here? In the rain? In the woods? Did they see me? Please don't tell the cops! I don't need to move twice.

I gotta go to sleep and not worry about what I can do nothing about.

Goodnight, I hope!



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Forest Gump

Friday , July 6th
Rotterdam, Holland

11:30 am Rough night: disco music til 2am, hard pillow, top warm comforter. (BL's torments)

Disembarkation went smoothly and here I am. In a country that I understand not a word and can't read the signs. And I have not a clue where I'm going. Floating like a feather.
Inside I can sense that feeling of fear. What am I suppose to do next? Where should I go? Hear the "should"? Relax. Take a deep breath. One step at a time. Watch the future unfold in front if you. You'll know what to do when you need to. You'll know where to go. Trust. Just keep moving forward and you know how to do this. Okay. Here we go. Blaze and me. Scared and courageous at the same time.

What's that weather out there? Did we make a wrong turn during the night and go back to the UK? Sure looks like it: grey and rainy. WHAT??? Oh sure. Last week was warm and sunny. Next week is what? Rain? NO!!!!

First thing: get some info. Ask. Got info about small towns nearby that would be interesting to see and better than going into Rotterdam. That works. Just follow the cycle path she says. Little do I realize, she means it. These aren't cycle paths. They're cycle roads. Wide. Smooth. Signed. They're serious about cycling here. Very serious!



Yes, all that pavement just for me! In the UK I would have shared it with a tractor trailer truck and a car and had high bushes up to the edge of the pavement. This is my kind of opulence, oh yeah!

Even bridges have separate cycle roads. I can't use the word paths., because that just doesn't describe them. They have signs and a line down the middle and are very, very wide. And did I mention smooth?



Ok. Got directions to laundry. Front loading with detergent already in there? It feels so modern here as compared to England. I couldn't even find a laundromat there.

At the laundry, a women in the office of the park gave me her number in case I needed help while in Holland. How fabulous and thoughtful.

Just saw how little kids learn to ride bikes very young. A very little bike with no pedals. They use they're legs to propel it, then glide to balance. Clever!


So now I sit having an unusual she goat cheese salad with apricot dressing, people-watching. So many bikes. Whole families. Grandmas. Little kids. Mostly blonde. I think I like the grandmas best. These coiffed, well-dressed, proper, grey-haired women pedaling along is a treat to see:))))

Think I'll stay the night here if I can find a cheap place. Lots to see. Good place to get my feet under me.

6:30 pm. I didn't stay. Nothing cheap. Coulda camped but after touring the village, wasn't all that much to see so I decided to head north. Did get a cycle route map that should help. Lots of options for camping here. So much wide open space. Feels really good. Makes me realize how cramped I've been theses last 5 weeks. Ahhh. I can breathe again.

To get over the water I had to take a ferry. Again. Met some guys while I was waiting and when I told him how I travel with no destination and no agenda, he said "You're Forest Gump on wheels!". How fitting!

Groceries were one of my tasks today.



And I hadn't thought about the challenge of shopping when you can't read the language:/. For something as simple as butter, I had to ask for help because there were packages that looked like butter but weren't. And I can't always be sure that the person I'm asking speaks English. But I ask away and see if they give me a strange look or are able to answer me. Young folks are easier because most of them learn English in school. I haven't figured out the Dutch word for organic. That will be the next time. They also had a mall that was butcher, bakery, produce, clothes, toys, drug stores all mixed together. And... free wifi! Afterwards though when looking for a john, I went on the library across the street and she wanted to charger 50 cents! I am not paying to use a toilet so I asked where some public ones were. Right next door in a culture center. Free wifi but pay toilet. I could have waited to go in the woods but I needed water for tonight. Priorities! Checklist when I leave a town at the end of the day:
- water filled?
- food for a full day?

Simple, hey? But forgetful me can still forget something!

This is the first summer evening I've had. On a rise off the cycle path on the river. The sun is glorious! I'm lounging on my all purpose yoga matt reading maps and writing this. As well as staring at the woods and sky, watching a butterfly that probably is my mom, and running my toes through the grass as I toddle barefoot to my bike for more chocolate:)

Another torment: sun poisoning on toes is not proving. Get it through my bike sandals. Perhaps I should try sunscreen on them. That would be a first.



Do I need a pedicure?

BagLady


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Getting Outta Here!

Thursday, July 5th
On a ferry to Rotterdam



The owner of the garden center where I was camped last night stopped by about 10 pm. He was worried about my safety and offered his yard to me but I assured him I would be all right. Then a neighbor woman, Carol, stopped by to offer to dry any wet clothes for me in her house. What a great idea, but I realized I didn't have anything wet. (I told you I was managing the rain.). But when she offered coffee in the morning, I accepted. Knowing the owner wanted me out if there early, I told her 7:30. So i met her hubby, Bernie, daughter and son all this morning. Got directions to The Mossbrook and the bus station and some ferry info. Didn't really know when I left there how the day would unfold.


Got my package! Had a new battery pack to my solar charger sent to PO in Eckington and it was there! We'll see if this one works better with my iPhone.

Then off to The Mossbrook. I thought it was an inn, but it's a darling pub...a ladies pub by the clientele for lunch. The manager treated me to a cup of coffee, a tour of the main floor of what was an old house, and really no clue as to why it was called The Mossbrook. It may well have been the name of the house since they like to name them here and the house behind had a plaque "Moss Bank".


A Mossbrook at The Mossbrook

Then I biked into downtown Sheffield not sure what my plan was. Go first to the bus station to see about a bus to the ferries. Hull or Harwich. Bike has to be bagged or boxed. What! Not gonna happen. Guess I'll have to bike to Hull. About 85 miles away. Let's see what they say at the train. Ticket counter: go to Information. Information: need to speak with a manager. Manager: you'll have to ask the conductor an the train platform. He makes the decision. Ok. What time is next train? ( I already know the ferry has to be boarded by 7 pm). Leaves in 30 minutes (3:41) and arrives at 5:10. Ok! Let's give it a try today. Might as well find out sooner rather than later if Blaze can go.

No problem! Fully loaded! What a breeze!



I'm off to the Netherlands tonight!!! Didn't even have time to mail the last of my postcards. Oh well.

And in my usual "can you answer a question for me?" way I met Andy Heard.



I needed to figure out how to get to the ferries from the train station. And we chatted the whole way to Hull. A gent overhearing my question drew me a map of how to get to the ferries and brought it over to me:). That's the magic that happens all the time. The train was better and faster than the bus. Got good directions. Passed a delightful afternoon with Andy.

And after only getting confused 3 times, I got to the ferry. And to make sure I appreciated all the hills of the UK, they had a steep ramp for me to climb just to get on it:). Thanks!!



So here I am! Off to Rotterdam on an overnight 12 hour ferry trip with a berth and SHOWER!!!!

Then to dinner which required a reservation. As I went back to the host to suggest that if another solo wanted to share my table so they could eat 45 minutes earlier and not alone, Ursula from Switzerland walks up. Sure. Meet ya back here at 8:15. So I had a dinner companion who spoke very good English, same age, and would never do what I'm doing! I understand. Some of my girlfriends feel the same way.

Now if the disco bar underneath me would just quiet down, I might get some sleep.

BagLady


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The Chatsworth House

Wednesday, July 4th....!@#$!@#$ fireworks!
Dunston Hall, England
less rain, more sun

Tomorrow Sheffield! The Post Office for my battery pack, The Mossbrook School for some history, and the Mossbrook Inn for my free night...or free meal...or free coffee:)

Today was the Chatsworth House, home of the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire. It was incredible!! Like visiting the Louvre in many ways. But before I got there, I turned off the main road thinking I was going to some stables and met a fascinating man that used to work on the estate and is able to rent one of the "cottages" that are over the hill. And these cottages are stone McMansions. Blaze often is the instigation for conversation. He even gave me an idea for when I have to push her, how I can steer the front. He suggested using something stiff attached to the handlebar and I came up with my umbrella. Think it just might work.



So at the House, I did the full tour. I've learned that they are often worth the extra $$$ but I think here I should have passed it up. They had leaflets in most rooms with the same information she was sharing and she seemed to be running through the place leaving no time for us to look around after she gave her spiel. Then I took some time to tour the gardens which were unlike anything I've seen back home. Many different kinds of gardens, but my 2 favs were the rock garden with these enormous balanced rocks and the maze that many of us had a challenge figuring out.






Tonight I had a heck of time finding my camping spot. Nothing seemed right. EIther the grass was too long, too wet, too near the road, too public. Have faith. It will show up. And just when I pulled over to check out a wide shoulder, there it was: a grassy patch next to a garden center. Don't really know what it is. Folks have driven by, down the lane. Nobody's stopped to chat or ask me what I'm doing. Sometimes folks act like people camp in my places all the time.

It's been a wonderfully sunny evening, but there are threatening clouds on the horizon. Just enjoy it while it lasts.

We'll see what tomorrow brings!

BagLady


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"Now I've Seen It All!"

Tuesday, July 3rd
Rowsley, England
Bet you can guess the weather:)

9 am Uncomfortable night's sleep indoors on a sagging old bed. Give me the earth any old day! But packing up was easier:).

And now I sit at an outdoor cafe having my morning latte watching the skies darken. But it's not raining right now:). Weather report is for light showers later.

I think a lot about traveling alone vs traveling with a partner. I get to do what I want but I don't have the interaction and laughter. I observe, like looking through windows into others lives. Where are they going as they pass by? What's their life like? Are they happy? Where am I going? What's my life like? Am I happy?



Deep, huh?!! I have a lot of time to think. Some have said that my journal entries are really long. This is my connection. These are my thoughts and memories. If I don't write it down, it will be lost. Perhaps I need to make an Executive Summary at the beginning if each journal entry:). What would you want it to include? I'm not reporting miles any more because I don't care. Don't worry, they're not very many anyways:).

7 pm What an incredible ride today! Following a cycle maps route and not following it because the roads weren't marked. Figuring out where I am is a puzzle that I'm enjoying. Even when I go miles out of my way. The scenery is so beautiful - reminds me of Wales here in the Peak District. But I did manage to get on a road that was so steep and muddy I had to...had to... push Blaze up several hundred yards. Didn't think it was possible, but ya do what you have to do. And I did it the same way I climb steep hills: push...rest...push...rest. I almost lost here though. If I didn't brace her panniers with my leg when we stopped (I couldn't reach the hand brakes from where I was) she'd start to roll backwards and we're talking STEEP!



The hard part is steering her from back there. I can't wait until she responds to voice commands. But we made it! My legs are feeling so so strong. And when people say (like they did today) "oh, there's a steep one ahead", I just smile and say "we can do it"! I think it's really easier to climb those steep ones on Blaze - slower, but easier.

The villages I went through we're so different than anything I've seen yet.



Houses built like stone castles right on the roadway all clustered together with no shops. They looked medieval. And they all seemed to be down a steep hill to get to them. Perhaps to be built near water.

I pedaled and I smiled. I think one thing that helps is listening to audiobooks while cycling. It helps keep my busy mind busy. I'm listening to "Just Don't Fall" by Josh Sundquist, a Paralympic Skier. He's a very talented writer in this autobiography. I love his view of life when he was young - precious!

Camped in a parish rec site tonight. And got set up before the rain got heavier. The misty stuff is pleasant to cycle in and totally tolerable. Got it down! After I was set up a gent stopped by. I thought because I was here. Nope. He stopped by to do some training with his agility dog. Another interesting happening! I watched them work asking tons of questions. Jack is only 18 months old and been doing it for just 12 weeks. He was working on his jumps and weaves. The energy in that dog was palpable.


Ok. Getting long again. I'm off to read.

Quote of the Day: "Now I've seen it all!", said by a cyclist passing me on the road with my umbrella up:)

Hugs y'all. BagLady



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Monkeys? Really???

Monday, July 2nd
(or Nov 2nd. Hard to tell by the weather)
Ashbourne, England



First was the monkeys. Little ones. Cute ones. I stopped to check out a garden structure not realizing it held monkeys. Got video but no pics. Sorry.

Then just rain. Mist. All day. And I was trying to go on back roads which meant at every intersection I needed to look at my map app. Confusing but idyllic roads.

What I've noticed most about the architecture over here is chimneys. Lots of them on a house. Big ones. Really tall. Reminds me of Mary Poppins when I see them:)


But as the day wore on and I realized I really wanted to be dry, the idea of staying in a hostel (or something cheap) began to grow. And it made it easier to tolerate the rain because I saw an escape! Get to Ashbourne. And I did by late afternoon. And the Tourist Office suggested this pub. Price was in my range -25 pounds (about $37). I'll take it! By the time I showered and cleaned my gear, all the shops had closed. 5 pm the streets are rolled up. Have to browse them tomorrow.



Dinner of mushroom and leek pie with peas and chips and bread and butter pudding for dessert.



Yum! I've blown my budget today eating out twice and getting a room!! But in 5 weeks this is my 5th night inside. And it's been the rainiest June in over 100 years! Guess I've earned it!

BagLady


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Rugby, My New Favorite Sport

Sunday, July 1st
really? really? what a cold start to July...brrr!!! but the evening has brought sunshine so not so bad...especially now that the gail-force wind has died down.

Moddershall, England



I found myself in the middle of the biking stage of a triathalon this morning:) Some thought I was actually competing!!!



Then I explored Isaak Walton ("The Compleat Angler" author)'s cottage and met the nicest women. I'm going to make a stab at their names, but forgive me and correct when I remember them wrong...Dorothy and Julianne. Not even close, am I? I usually write names down as soon as I depart so that I'll remember them for my evening journal, but I forgot to do it this time. Darn. The cottage was adorable with a rebuilt thatched roof too and gardens all about. And "Dorothy" was a wealth of knowledge about researching geneology to aromatic oils for arthritis. And talk about timing...this cottage is only open Sundays from 1-4 pm and I arrived on Sunday at 12:45! What luck! Beats arriving in Lampeter for the quilt exhibit a half hour late and the the gallery was closed for the next two days. Things are looking up.



Took this picture of Blaze today...I really do look the part of a bag lady:)

I have the sounds of a rugby match playing in the background by a group of Indians...interesting accent that is:) I pulled in here during a match and asked about staying. None of them are club members, the just have the key to the gate which they have to lock when they leave. "Go ahead and stay and chuck your bike over the gate in the morning." My bike isn't chuckable! Let me see if I can find an opening in the fence to get through. And I did...a gap in the hedge row. Blaze jumped a ditch getting in so I'm sure she can jump again in the morning.

About 60 miles to go to Sheffield but there's lots to see between here and there so, I'll be taking my sweet time. "Dorothy" gave me ideas of how to research Mossbrook in local records in the area, so I'll see what happens.

Ya know how in Rochester we say "if you don't like the weather, wait a minute it will change"? Well, here they say it...and mean it! I've never...NEVER...seen weather change so quickly from cold to hot, wet to dry, calm to windy and that's all in the same half hour! I never know what to put on to start the day or what to wear during the day. Whatever I have on is not right for the weather of the moment. I'd laugh about it if it wasn't so annoying.

A Tuckered BagLady


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Learning to Dance in the Rain

Saturday, June 30th
Newport, England
Rain, sun, rain, sun, wind, clouds, rain, sun...well, you get the picture:) and temps 50's, I'd guess because I never took off my jacket

My morning started when I heard the tractor mowing the rigby field where I was camped. What time is it?!! 9 am?!! I need to get out of here! So I packed up quickly, lucky that he was mowing another field, not mine, waved to the driver, and left. A mile up the road there was an Abbey... Haughmond Abbey. It was rather spectacular.



Why do these ancient ruins impress me so? I'm amazed in the effort to construct them. I'm amazed in the design. I'm amazed they're still standing over 600 + years later. What structures of today's building will be around 600 years from now? Anything?

That and the weather were today's highlights. I enjoyed the town of Newport, but was busy doing my usual town chores: wifi and eating. Had a Cornwall Pasty today. They're like a croissant with a filling. They were how the wives sent lunch with their husbands who were miners: last night's dinner cooked up in pastry - half dinner, half jam for dessert. I missed having them last summer in Michigan but I think it's the same thing (right Bluebearee?).

Funny sign today:



Since Fuat left I've been kidding when asked how long I will I cycle for? Either a year or until the end of the month...we'll see. Well, month's end has come and I'm still out here! This is similar to hiking a long trail in so many ways, but without the trail family. Friends I make I have to leave behind. And I get up each day and do it all over again: same thing, new road. It sounds so romantic when you read about it.

Tonight's campsite is the side of a farmer's field of hay. I don't think I'll be hassled here. I got set up between downpours... that's the tricky part of traveling through rain. I now appreciate how the class of '03 (the rainy year) of the AT (Appalachian Trail, for new readers who might not know)...how they coped and stayed with it. You learn tricks to keeping your dry stuff dry...and a little water isn't the end of the world. Bedroll and fleece jacket is in a dry sac that does not get opened in the rain - no matter what. The tent gets dried as best as possible in morning and works okay even when damp. The critical part to keep dry is the inside of the floor. Fold it in on itself to protect that surface. Even in it's sack on the back of my bike all day in the rain, it's dry enough when I get to set up. That surprised me!

Then during the day, keep the body warm even when wet and I'm happy. That's when my umbrella comes in ever so handy...and my new coat. I'm glad I persisted and found peace with the rain. Maybe even enjoying it.

Got a story to tell. The other day as I was saying goodbye to the Hall Family and they were getting loaded on their bikes, the skies opened up with a cloud burst. Lyra, the 4 yr old, was on the back of her mom's tandem already so I grabbed her down and nestled her under an eave with me to stay as dry as possible. "Why am I under here?" So you don't get any wetter, says I. "But I love the rain!" as she proceeds to run out into the heaviest of the downpour dancing in the puddles! Dance on, Lyra...and teach us all to "dance in the rain"!

And I think what I miss about being around children and old folks is the wisdom they have to teach those of us in the middle:)
You just have to be patient enough to listen.

Oh, ya, the observation of the day: Welsh houses are made of stone and English are made of brick. And many of the old homes are really large. I counted one with 6 chimneys today. This area isn't as I imagined England to be. Where are those quaint thatched roof cottages?

Doing more backroads tomorrow now that the land has gotten flatter and I won't be surprised by a 25% grade hill. I've been worried about that. The green, red, and even yellow roads have been so, so busy. Even the boackroad I took tonight has more traffic than I like on it. England is a busy place:)

My favorite flower is a poppy, I think and I found them growing wild along the side of the roads here. Beautiful!


Popping BagLady

p.s. wanna see one of the first modern houses I've seen here?



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