Eton, eating and cycling

The man walking away questioned who we were. And who is he anyway?

What? Sunday is here again? Yes - more rain - nice one universe. Anyhoo jumped out of bed, shower, scrambled egg, tucked the gut into some lycra and lubed up my chain. Oh and my new GPS was fixed on to my bike too.  

I was the navigator for the day so I just turned on the GPS typed in Eton and followed it straight to the M4 - maybe you can't rely on it too much. My biking partner, Mari, told me she didn't want to go onto major roads especially the A40. Anyway I ignored that and within five minutes we were pulling along the A40 past Kings Cross. Mari shook her head silently but still had a smile. 

Once we had passed through the heart of London we were well on our way to Eton. The route was mainly cycle paths, which were true English style - a painted green line with many cars parked in the way. A similar challenge was upon us again - to get out of the M25 as quickly as possible, a necessity if you don't want to spring for a train fare.  

And then we saw the planes of Heathrow. 

"Hey that is the third London airport we have cycled past in as many months." 

"Keep cycling - only 30miles". For once Mari had no need to stop for a dried fig because she would only get cold and we had a lunch date in Eton at 12. 




We pulled up in Eton under the shadow of Windsor Castle for 11:57 with some last minute guidance from Fred. What a planning, navigation legend I was turning out to be, double pat on back for me.  

Hazel and Fred are the couple we went to visit. Hazel had sent a text earlier with a message saying 'Life is daring adventure or nothing'. Hazel is the 'dame' (only Eton) at the Cotton House at the school and Fred is a chemistry technician for the science department. They cooked a lovely fish dinner and showed us photos and told stories of their cycling adventures in Cambodia, China and a South American country beginning with B. I was very excited by the choice of chutney. I picked mango, the only one I know. Should I have been more adventurous and gone for another flavour? Pretty sure it doesn't matter to anyone. 

We were lucky enough to meet another couple - Karen and Nigel - from the States who are going to be back in Los Angeles for when we are get there. They invited us to stay when we get there - it's all coming together. 

Fred and Hazel showed us around the house and school. It reminded me of Hazelrigg Rutland Halls at Loughborough university - where I studied - single rooms, catered halls and box files. These kids have it good but they work bloody hard for it. We met a student who was studying for his A levels and was worried what he would do with his upcoming gap year because his Uni application didn't go to plan. I said enjoy it, I could tell he was think, 'Why didn't anyone suggest that before?' 

We met one boy's parents who invited us to come along on a charity 60 mile bike ride in Dartmoor. They are raising money for a spinal injuries charity to remember Horatio Chapple who was killed by a polar bear in a tragic accident on an artic expedition at the age of 17. Fancy joining us? Horatio Chapple Memorial Trust




Obviously this biking stuff is like a virus - a good one. You meet loads of people who offer you opportunities and you must take them. Bodes well for the big trip.




Thanks Fred and Hazel for a great day and a taster of the year to come.

I bear went over the mountain

I was born and brought up in Cardiff. I lived here for 18 years. I used to cycle with my friends Ally and Zoe on my Raleigh racer to nearby fruit farms where we'd pick strawberries . This was when I first fell for drop handled bars. Can you do that? Until today I don't think I fully appreciated how close I was to such beautiful countryside. In London the countryside is 30 minutes on a train or a long morning away by bike.

In an effort to prepare for the round the world cycling adventure and to try and decrease the differential between me and my cycling buddy James, today I cycled around my home city - Cardiff. I left from Rhiwbina, the leafy suburb where my parents live, and cycled through Lisvane (where David Hasselhoff was recently considering buying a house) along undulating country roads to rarely visited villages like St Michaelstone Y Fedw and Machen. When I arrived in Caerphilly the sun was silhouetting the castle. The biggest castle in Europe. Then over Caerphilly mountain. Really really steep. I managed to stay cycling on Ditchin Beacon on the way to Brighton but Caerphilly Mountain - which isn't really a mountain at all - beat me. I had to get off and have a little push. If only I'd taken more advantage of those Welsh hills earlier in my life.

I like the idea that the journey begins before it begins and already I have begun to see things a little differently. I have begun to appreciate the beauty of the British countryside and see the possibilities on my doorstep. Especially on glorious spring days like today.

I remember reading once, on the opening page of a book about London, a quote about how travel opens your eyes to your own place. Perhaps it was this one by G.K. Chesterton, friend of George Bernard Shaw and other Bloomsbury folk. “The whole object of travel is not to set foot on foreign land; it is at last to set foot on one’s own country as a foreign land.” Wales will never be foreign to me but to appreciate one's own land, as others do, has got to be a benefit of contemplating adventure.

NB - For those of you who are not familiar with the lingo of London schools. Bear means very. e.g. I'm bare hungry (I'm very hungry) or there were bare bears (There were many bears).

London to Brighton and the train

Saturday we cycled to Brighton. All week had been lovely sunshine and - guaranteed - when I woke up on Saturday with the Kareoke hits of the night before ringing in my ears it was grey and the rain was coming. With luminous jacket and ham sandwiches we set off. The first puncture was just before The Elephant. One spare tube down. The second was in Clapham. Now both tubes were done. Then was a good run though neither James nor I spoke much. We hadn't fallen out - just huge hangovers. Once out of London - Tooting, Mitcham and Carshalton we hit the home counties and towns Reigate and Redhill. Nice hedges. 

The South Downs were beautiful and I took the hills at my own pace. After my knees nearly gave out on the cycle to Cardiff I have decided my own pace on hills will be better in the long run. So..whilst James was miles ahead and whilst Wales was playing in the Millennium stadium for the Grand Slam I sang the Welsh national anthem to the English hills. 

With the sun long set we approached the infamous Ditchin Beacon occasionally blinded by full beam headlights. I kept pedalling and made it with a red face. After a short diversion on the hard shoulder of the A23 we were nearly there. And then .. 'Ah, my bike feels funny' - the third puncture. No more tubes. No patches. The last five miles would be on foot in the dark and in the rain. This is ultimately what our cycling will be about - enjoying the adventure and unexpected. 65 miles - not bad for a weekend ride.

On Sunday morning the sun was shining and the sea was shimmering. The crazy bike man on the beach sold us the wrong tubes. Thanks Rachel, Mark, Eve and Caleb for a great welcome. And with new tyres we caught the train back to the big smoke. Slightly stronger legs and a little bit closer to the bigger adventure. You've got to enjoy the journey.

The beginning

I am an educator. I am a school leader and a teacher of history. I am a 36 year old woman. I am single. I believe in people and their good intentions and their need for love and belonging. I do not believe in God so think this is it. This gives me the motivation to want to leave my mark on the world. I want to leave a legacy that means the world is a little bit better for me having lived in it. Maybe this is just ego.
I have been a teacher for 10 years. I have been part of setting up an outstanding school. Three years on, Ofsted agrees with us. I am the deputy head. I am on the cusp of headship. But or rather AND I have decided to cycle round the world.

People ask me my reasons. My head teacher described my plans as 'travelling' to the governors. I do not expect to find myself. I know myself well. I have what I describe as a you-only-live-once streak. An existentialist tendency. To be defined by my actions.

This is one of them. These will be my words.

I am cycling with another teacher. James. He will write in his own words and possibly in a different colour.

We begin in July - the 29th. There are still many things to do and plans to make but we have our route, our tickets and our bikes. We need a cause that could benefit from our indulgence and more places to stay along the way. Perhaps you could help?

It will be amazing to know that there are lots of friends following our adventures. It's a small world.