Today before it got too hot out, I walked to the grocery store and back,
using the trolley I bought in Amsterdam,
wearing my other new pair of Xeros barefoot sandals,
and listening to a library book on my Kindle.
The entire trip took 90 minutes, and was as enjoyable as an errand can be.
To get to Amsterdam from England and back, a friend and I tried the overnight ferry. I enjoyed myself immensely. I had a good dinner, a glass of wine, and got a comfortable night’s sleep in a cabin, and crossed the North Sea all in one package. The ferry ticket included train fare from London Liverpool Station to Harwich, ferry passage from Harwich to Hoek van Holland, and train fare from Hoek van Holland to Amsterdam Centraal Station.
The sights while boarding were fascinating to someone who had never before ridden a ferry or crossed the Channel, or seen the North Sea.
The ferry did not depart immediately. I was able to look out at the activity in the Harwich port while I ate dinner in the ferry restaurant.
There was no running or walking for fitness on the ferry. The space was just a little too confined for that.
But I did leaf through a Dutch version of Runner’s World while eating a wedge of chocolate cake/mousse.
In the morning we disembarked at Hoek van Holland and caught the train to Amsterdam.
Then, after 2 fun days and nights in Amsterdam, we followed the same routine for the return trip to England.
I’m ready to go again.
Home from my trip. I had hoped to make a few posts while traveling, but it wasn’t to be. I was always on the move, or without a good internet connection, or a workspace from which to compose something. So here I sit with 12 days worth of experiences, thoughts and photos, wondering where to start. How about at the end? My banner picture gives a clue–I went to Glastonbury! I took so many photos, but it won’t do to post 300 or so… The Rolling Stones and Mumford and Sons were highlights of the festival for me (although just being there was the main highlight). I also loved PIL, Elvis Costello, Billy Bragg, and The Proclaimers. I’m also thrilled that I now know about The Staves. I saw so many excellent performances.
Early both Saturday and Sunday mornings, I managed to get in run/walks, pausing to take a picture whenever I saw something interesting. It was great getting out and seeing things while the rest of the crowd was mostly asleep.
I got to Glastonbury by coach, a really great way to go, in spite of certain factors that intervened to make it a longer trip. Traffic congestion at Stonehenge delayed our arrival, and caused me to miss a couple of Friday concerts I’d hoped to see. As cool as Stonehenge is, I was on a mission to see the other “Stones.”
But eventually, the coach crested a high ridge, and we could look down and see a panoramic view of the massive festival already underway. There was a collective gasp from the coach passengers, followed by a sort of squeal, and then applause.
The next night I did see The Rolling Stones. Me and 100,000 other fans.
The sights around the festival grounds were all captivating.
Note the row of colorful loos at the left. 
Every morning the garbage truck came through and removed the massive amount of trash from every bin. A corps of people followed on foot with bags and gloves, picking up what was left on the ground.
Sometimes I could see the musicians on stage.
Sometimes I had to look through others who were also having a great time.
Sometimes the crowd was the view, and it was a great view.
Interesting people having a good time were everywhere.
Some in uniform.
This was the nighttime view from my tent. I don’t want to forget it. 
My long-awaited second trip to England begins this weekend. Three years of planning and preparing, yet I’m still panicked about whether I have everything packed and ready to go. Last night while driving, I had an anxious moment when I tried to remember if I’d packed my passport yet. Of course when I checked, I found it safely tucked away already in my carry on bag. Looking forward to spending time with friends, seeing a concert or two, and working in a few runs with fellow runners. More to come from the other side of The Pond. Until then, a few sights from my earlier visit that I probably won’t get to see this time. In no particular order.
Hope everyone is doing well with Juneathon. I managed to fit in a 3.5 mile run this morning, and have been doing a few calisthenics each day. It will probably be Sunday before my schedule will allow for the next run. But I’ll enjoy the setting, that much I know.
I’m trying this cool community workout program this summer: Red Dog’s Dog Days. They’ve started offering a program for people who have moved away, which I really appreciate.
Sample workout from last week:
Today’s Run:
It has helped me to have an active, well-rounded daily workout while recovering from my 10k last weekend. And the Dog Days are Buddy-approved. 
Once again I underestimated how grueling that 10k is. I did improve my finish time over last year, and I’m determined to try again next year for the half marathon. But, I did the right thing to downgrade yesterday, no question. The trip straight up the dam is beyond difficult. It zaps every ounce of energy remaining after two previous steep hill climbs. Then, the run along that flat, long stretch of dam is roughly a mile, which should allow one to make up some lost time. But it is hot up there, and too much energy at that stretch is spent recovering from scaling the dam. When I reached the top, I wanted to cry and throw up, both. But that misery eventually passed, and it then was back down the dam at the other end, and back into the trees. It is still one of the funnest events ever. The trails through the trees are immensely enjoyable.
The awesome trails
The top of the dam
That’s the finish line down there. So close, yet so far away.
Descending back down the dam.
(Thanks to the race photographers for sharing these!)
Back into the trees.
The river crossing.
Eventually, I did reach the finish, and enjoyed some delicious race food.
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That night, in the rain, I stood just a couple of people back from the stage
and watched this group that I loved way back when.
I signed up for this half marathon trail run tomorrow morning, but I didn’t get enough training miles in, so I’ve downgraded my registration to the 10k. I’m disappointed in having to downgrade, but it is much more difficult than a regular half or 10k on paved roads. It will be a challenge, and very fun. I’ve looked forward to it ever since I did this event for the first time last year. So, tonight it was a high-carb sandwich for dinner, and then a mile walk to stay loose. Good night!
Tonight was outing number two in my new Xero barefoot running sandals. Twice now, I’ve tested them out on a one-mile run/walk. They certainly tax a different set of muscles and tendons. The day after the inaugural outing, my calves were very tight. Tonight in the last quarter mile, my left arch started feeling stressed, so I did a walk break to let it relax. But I love running in these. They are so light and airy. And, I feel like they are adding another type of workout to my routine.
The soles, while thin, seem very tough. I don’t think a piece of glass could cut through them. I opted for the 6mm thickness, but they can also be purchased in a 4mm thickness.
I’ve also enjoyed wearing them around the house. They are all-around very comfortable foot gear. I have had to adjust the tension in the cording a couple of times, but that is normal and does not detract from the wearability. Not bad for two flat rubber soles and some string.
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