Minnie’s Musings

If one had the energy (which one did not) one would have posted the following last night.

THANK GOD for McDonald’s. We are forever blessed.

There is nothing like the sight of the twin Golden Arches gleaming at you on the side of an A road to bring relief to the tired and the hungry.

Disembarking off the ferry from the island of Texel, one’s Best Beloved uttered the heartfelt question, “shall we find a you know what” or something along those lines.

We had spent the day cycling around Texel savouring the flattish trails and peace and quiet, enjoying the light breeze whisking through the fields and admiring the small neat farms and windmills that dotted the landscape.

His Nibs does not allow for pausing and enjoying the flora and fauna of the dunes. This is a shame as apparently there are seals to spot. One must press on at all times.

Until there is cake in the offing. In this case at a roadside cafe staffed by people with moderate learning difficulties and a very large transvestite (balding fifty something in floral skirt, DMs and a lot of bright pink blusher) weilding some fearsome hedge clippers and a scowl.

Anyway, Best Beloved had decided that the destination for the day was a town named De Cocksdorp. For no other reason than its name. He is a 10 year old boy at heart.

I ducked off to the southern coast, not wishing to push my luck and spent a happy hour looking at the sea and listening to the birds, then a less happy half hour scouring the two incoming roads for signs of my boys, only to have them appear stage left as I picked up my bicycle to wend my way back to the ferry in the hope that they would meet me there.

Suffice it to say that the home run was a trial. Best Beloved and His Nibs kept up some frantic peddling in lower gears while I slogged away in sixth gear (four and five were both slipping). EVERYTHING was in agony, from my toes to my nose. I swear it was up hill ALL THE WAY.

Time became an imperative as I eyed the sun descending slowly toward the horizon. It is amazing how long and straights road can be, like the opening credits of Secret Army.

We rounded the bend to see the ferry departing for the mainland. I stared at the position of the sun and assured myself it was the eight o’clock, so there was still hope we would make it back and not have to find accommodation and clean underwear.

We did indeed make it, though my menfolk overshot the bike hire shed and had to take a complicated detour to find it and yours truly. The terminal cafe was open for snacks and the benches outside allowed us to rest limbs that were determined to seize up at the first opportunity.

The highlight of the day was His Nibs screeching “Look, look, it’s here!” As his mother said, “Yes dear, it’s the sea” only for the ferry to appear like the Angel Gabriel from behind its docked sister ship. Our fellow passengers burst into affectionate laughter at his excitement.

Please note that I have made no mention of falling off my bike. For I did not. When I asked my Best Beloved if he had noticed he uttered the somewhat risky “Not that I witnessed” and then made himself scarce. Sensible chap.

On our return I fell into bed and did not emerge until morning. We have had a quiet day today, waiting for the aches and pains to subside. A dip in the ice cold swimming pool may have helped. The jury is out.