Birthday Antics

So another lame post with mainly just people in it but it was my birthday, and it is all about me anyway, so you have to suffer my birthday antics. First off, I had the party dress on (although it cooled off so hence the sweater/jumper) but Christophe said I needed a party hat. Therefore, dorky hat worn.

It was determine that Ronny fit better in the hat than I did.

I was lucky enough to have a few cakes over the weekend. For some reason, they kept displaying my age on them. Geesh. Enough already! The Chocolate Cafe made me a swim, bike , run cake. Yum!

All smiles with Janice and Louise. That's because we are drinking bubbles. Happy!

The second cake is a bit more 'home-made'. Yep.

Due to the enormonity of the age, it was a full birthday weekend. Friday was spa and dinner, Saturday (above photos) were party party and Sunday was a birthday bike ride and barbeque.

Turns out, it was also a party for the queen. Seems it was her birthday/jubilee weekend as well. Yep, that's how I roll.

I went to a barbeque at Kate and Gerard's as it was his birthday was well. Do we really look 40 and 52? I think not!

Does anyone else think this looks like we are cutting a wedding cake? Hilarious.

60's Fun

It's our 50th anniversary at work, so we had a 60's themed party. I'm hanging out with the guy who is an insurance specialist at work. Who knew the soft spoken guy in Finance was an inner hippie!?!??!



Rock the Moor with Friends

Nothing too exciting but thought I would post some pictures of a bbq with friends as it was a fun day. And, I stayed home for a change. BTW - this was mid-May.

Tim Phillis (far left) hosted the party in his backyard so we could listen to the concert held on the moor behind us. It was cheesy 80's music (Spandau Ballet!) but so fun. Other triathlete gents (you may recognize Chris Taylor and German Tom in there) are enjoying as well.

The ladies are inside enjoying the buffet.

Shannon and Max decide that it is cuddle time with Ronny.

Tim decides it's time to get his groove on while Tucker is trying to sneak something off the barbeque.

Apparently you can't Rock the Moor without a homemade microphone.

 

Tucker is unsuccessful at the barbeque so helps Max to stand guard at the door and ensure no bunnies invade the party.

Will and Neil are happy to arrive after golf. They got there late. Apparently golf/beers after golf, takes a long time.

Tim keeps rocking out to the music even as the sun sets and he gets lit by his jazzy candles. The man likes his music.

Shannon and I both had our hair done that day so we are showing off. Hooray for Ms. Clairol!

And Tucker wants a hot dog. A lovely day with friends - sorry the post is so boring but it was actually quite hilarious at the time.

When Not Racing in Spain

When not racing in Spain, it seems that I did the same things I did when I was actually racing in Spain. Hmmm... funny that. 

Now however, I've got the water to myself. Morning swims before stuffing my gob with croissants put me in a happy place.

That's me taking in the view after our big climb to the top. I could use a wider road, luckily, not too many cars.

After all that exercise, I needed a little pick me up at the end of the day. Look at the cute carafe of orange juice. I think I must have paid a premium for that.

For Katy's birthday, we went to an excellent tapas place. It was the ultimate definition of sharing - everything just came as plates of two. It was so so so yummy.

Katy was also in need of some refreshment after all the cycling. The sun, the water, the wine - good stuff.

Nothing like a few hairpin turns.....

This is what you do when you get to the top!

And just to show that I actually know how to put my feet up, this is what happens when I get back down to the bottom.



Mallorca - and this time I raced

I will apologize upfront for this post. I'm either in athletic gear or I'm eating. I've got more pictures of Mallorca (Spain) for the next one and there will be less lycra or neoprene. I think. 

I went to Spain again this year. After being inspired by Paul and Gope (see last year's posts), Katy and I decided to sign up for the half ironman. Unfortunately, she ended up injured and couldn't race but still came out to enjoy her birthday and holiday with me. Before the race, we did a recon of the course route. At the top of the climb, Kenneth (American), me, Katy (British) and Christophe (Belgian) stopped for a photo. I look teeny tiny next to these very tall people.

A few days before the race I'm trying to keep the protein and carbs up. The fish is bigger than the plate. Oh yeah.

 Since it has been so cold in England this year, it's the first time I've put the wetsuit on since August. So nice to go for a swim in warm water! Christophe, Kenneth and I put in some practice before the race.

 Pre-race dinner. We had a table for 8 - the benefits of being part of a club. You can always convince someone to travel with you to exotic race locations.

 Race morning!

 In front of the start.

 Surviving the swim. You know it is me because you can see John Hart's nose clearly protruding in this photo. It was actually one of the toughest swims that I have ever done. There were so many women in my race wave that we were battered about for about 1500 metres before it felt like you had room to swim. Unfortunately, then the men began to overtake so we were battered about again! Grr...

 Came in with an okay bike time. However, my form is awful. AWFUL. I probably could have gained an extra 10 minutes on my bike had I properly fit to my aero bars. Or used a time trial bike. I think one of these days I may actually have to borrow one and feel the magic. In the mean time, note to self: do not install your aero bars the day before a race. Practice first.

 Lastly, coming in on the run. Yeah, I survived!!! (and I did pass that guy in front of me)

I always kid around that when I sweat, I lose a lot of salt. Proof that I've like to lose good old NaCl. Not attractive though, eh?

Post race celebration. Big thanks to Katy for being a great athletic supporter and camera woman!

Bike Tour in France - Arras to Reims

At the end of April, I did a quick weekend trip to France (again, who says that?!?!). John Booker hatched a plan to ride one of the stages of the Tour de France, from Arras to Reims. So, we organized some cyclists and support drivers and away we went.

Arras is a lovely town, no more than 90 minutes away from the Chunnel. It was easy to get to on Friday night and we arrived and settled in just as the sun was setting.

Arras is very Old World feel with several large squares, cathedrals and cobblestones throughout the city centre.

In order to fuel up for our monster ride (it turned out to be 120 miles, geesh!), we ate in a subterranean Italain restaurant. Interestingly enough, several of the buildings have 'caves' if you will and have been turned into great restaurants.

Gope is enjoying some pre-ride grape juice while Jeeves conveys his Italian order in French.

The next day, before we set out, the city centre is turned into a massive market. There were tables and stalls everyone. it was quite amazing what was for sale. It was giant farmers market and thrift shop all rolled into one.

Unfortunately, I didn't see much of the market. Instead, I saw the inside of the Arras police station to try and find my car. Apparently, after a late night of fueling, I neglected to read the sign that says 'don't park anywhere or the giant market will get  your car towed.'

Good thing the police station wasn't busy. I was quite impressed. It only took about 5 police officers to take my American passport behind that tiny door to discover where my British car was impounded.. in France. Well done Interpol.

You'd never know that I was actually here to go cycling. I only pulled out my camera once during 120 miles and that was for a photo at the lunch stop. Great to see du vin rouge and some biere on the lunch time menu for me and my fellow riders.

Speaking of food, while in France, it was time to try out all the culinary delights. We had frog legs.

And a classic escargot. You'd never know there were snails in there with all the garlic though. My dad would love it!

Also, I thought this was funny. As France is generally known as one of the cheese meccas of the world, it was nice to see that some of their cheese is still orange and comes in squares just like some slices we know.

How do you keep six bicycles safe when you want to head off to find some lunch? Use the John Booker method of security. An extra long cable.....

.... between all the bikes and both cars. Voila!

All in all, a lovely weekend. Who knew it was so 'easy' to cycle a leg of the Tour de France? (And by the way, the leg really isn't 120 miles. We thought it would be a hoot to cycle to the start. Not the best idea we've ever had.....)