We're back on the road. The gang is all here, the bike still affectionately known as Nordie (mark 4) Norris (the original and only, he came on the JOGLE and he's here now) the polar bear key ring and of course me.
I never enjoy the ride from town to the ferry - it's hard work with lots of turns and quite a bit of glass. Part of my problem is that it's pretty confronting, if I'm not feeling fit I know it on that ride. Every year I plan to train on a loaded bike and I never do. But apparently this year I have trained enough off a loaded bike and it didn't feel too bad. I've given up trying to fit rides into the commute after falling out with the train and instead I've taken to late evening rides round the lanes. To my surprise (I hate a circular ride) I've really enjoyed them. I've racked up the miles without even noticing.
The one thing the journey from station to ferry has in its favour is the Geordie people. I don't think I've done any other ride where people are as happy and friendly. It's really noticeable and makes the miles tick quickly away.
As ever, I got to the port a few hours early but as someone who's always late, it's the lesser of two evils. Check in and boarding then off for a doze before sailing. I went on deck to say goodbye to the UK then went to the bar. The Scottish lads were out in force, cheery and obviously out for the night. I went back to my cabin for a few hours. Had a picnic, a knit and a read. When I returned to the bar they were still there. Long after I'd switched to virgin cocktails they were taking the dance floor by storm. A brief break - forced by the captain threatening boat jail if they kept swinging from the ceiling- and they carried on until the last song somehow persuading the band to close with a full blown head banging heavy metal number.
I went back to my cabin where I slept like a log.
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