IT'S A BLOG

It’s always strange when arriving in a foreign country even if arriving by conventional methods. The changes in customs, money, language and attitudes all take some getting used to but when arriving on a bicycle, these things are somewhat multiplied I feel. There is no comfort of a warm, comfy and air conditioned car, no bus or train waiting to whisk you off to your desired destination. You are left stranded, in a strange port with a populace you don’t yet know and a country

Being such a bicycle friendly city, I didn’t have too much trouble getting into Copenhagen. I obviously took a little detour towards the airport but this just goes without saying. I mean I always get a little lost and this city was no different. Once in the centre though, I was immediately struck by how modern, quirky and perhaps, if this is the right word, cute it was. It was all very easy on the eye and I liked it straight away. It seemed to enjoy a small town feel and I t

Trying to navigate a major city with just a paper map and a compass. Difficult! I followed the main road into the city for perhaps forty minutes, and upon coming to what I thought was the centre, realised I was still thirteen km’s south. I couldn’t believe how big it was. Madness I tell you. Welcome to Europe’s second largest port. On top of this, I couldn’t get my bearings. There were tall buildings in all directions and no signs that pointed to any distinctive area or landm

I ended up spending eleven days in that fair city of Amsterdam and so after many nights of fun seeing friends, I sped off as fast as my bicycle (and wind) would carry me. If I didn’t leave when I did, I probably would never have left. I think I should just give a huge thanks to Esther and Leon for having me around for five days and also to lovely Livia for putting up with me for even longer and Thomas, if you’re reading, you are the man! Thanks Liesbeth for the lift too. Per