Well that was an experience!

We're back from our holiday in Tunisia - the one we booked in February which British Airways (god bless 'em) decided to turn into the biggest farce on the planet one month to departure.   If you follow me on Twitter you will know that they decided due to operational issues to cancel our return flight meaning we would either have to come back 2 days early (which we have) or stay 2 days longer (which we couldn't because we couldn't afford to and I didn't want to use any more annual leave).   The problem was compounded by Alpha Rooms (the internet travel company we booked accommodation, flights and transfer with).  They offered to amend our booking or cancel for a full refund, unfortunately they seemed unable (or unwilling) to amend the flights their end and we had to do that through BA.  Once the flights were changed they were happy to change the accommodation (with us losing the cost of the 2 days) and the transfers.   We couldn't claim the loss on insurance because we hadn't actually left and the accommodation provider was unwilling to refund the difference!   BA refused to pay any compensation but after a "few" (lots) emails back and forth, they finally agreed to a goodwill gesture of a £50 voucher to spend on a future flight.  Shaun spent ages on the phone sorting this out and it wasn't until the Saturday before we left that our booking was actually confirmed and a refund being offered by Alpha Rooms the day before because they had changed the provider.   I took every piece of paper we had been sent, just in case!

We checked in online 24 hours before and on Thursday went through the automated check in and bag drop, sailed through border checks and security and then spent a lifetime in departures shopping and eating.  We knew there was no food on board apart from a snack so made sure we had something substantial before we left.   We kept checking the screen to see where our flight was boarding - it just kept flashing "please wait" and once we got to the time we knew we should be taking off it had become pretty obvious that we were now delayed!   We didn't have to wait too much longer before we boarded.  Shaun was sitting in the window seat and could see the cases being loaded on - jokingly he said that he hadn't seen our cases go on.   Little did we know until we got to Tunis that dozens of passengers cases hadn't actually made it on to the plane due to the pressure of the turnaround, fortunately not ours.   Anyway back to the journey.  Luckily the flight is only 2 hours 30 minutes and before we knew it we were landing at Tunis.  Oh boy what an experience that was.  Passport control was madness, and no-one had mentioned that we had to fill out entry cards - chaos ensued.  Not quite sure anyone could read the hastily completed cards but they seemed to serve their purpose and soon we were dispatched through baggage reclaim and out into the utter chaos of Arrivals - a sea of faces but not one was holding up a board with the name of our transfer company.   We stood in the hall looking a little lost with a few other people and somehow the transfer company found us!   A very uncomfortable 2 hour drive from Tunis to Sousse in a minibus with no air conditioning, in the dark!

When we finally reached our hotel, the Marhaba Royal Salem

we were greeted with a query concerning 2 bookings in Shaun's name.  It took a while to explain that Alpha Rooms should have cancelled one of them, but we only needed 1 room.  At the time we didn't realise but not only were there 2 bookings, but the departure date hadn't been changed either!   It was a shame we'd missed dinner but were told there were late night snacks available if we wanted them.  We went up to our room, the one that was ready, and dumped off our luggage, returned to the Snack Bar to find warm pizza and chips - when you're hungry anything will do, all washed down with a cold beer!

The next morning we got up and wandered down to breakfast - a wonderful array of food available.   Greek yogurt and honey and an omelette later we were ready to explore and find a spot for sunbathing near the small pool 

Small pool at 5.30am!

which we had decided would be best as all the families would be in the larger pools where the entertainment and water slides were - WRONG!  By 9.30 the "bomber boys and girls" and "butter fingers water polo brigade" had arrived.   Our first day spot would not be our second day spot!

Day 2-8 sunbathing spot!

We heard on the Friday that the day before a politician had been assassinated in Tunis and that the airport was now closed to all flights and the country was on 1 day general strike.  On the Saturday the funeral took place and there was rioting in Tunis.  Our holiday also coincided with Ramadan, some of the staff were a bit grumpy during the day, but I suppose it's not surprising.  They work long hours and have little chance to eat as it is.  Everyone outside the tourist industry feasts as soon as the sun goes down - not the hotel staff  - they're serving and running around after ungrateful tourists who enjoy gorging themselves on food and alcohol when it's freely available for 24 hours a day.   It made us appreciate them even more.

The first 4 days were pretty much the same - Shaun getting up at 5.30 for his morning swim, towel laying and early morning sunbathing ritual, returning to meet me at 7 for breakfast and then spend the rest of the day sitting by the pool, chatting to other families and couples we were sitting near, swimming, lunch at 1, return to the poolside for more of the same and then dinner between 8 and 8.30.

Pimms o'clock before dinner!

On Tuesday we'd booked a morning trip to the visit the amphitheatre at El Jem (that's the one where Gladiator was filmed) and then on to Monastir.   It was a very early start, even by Shaun's standard.  El Jem was over an hour away.   We had an early breakfast (sadly no egg station open so just yogurt and pastries that day) and went to reception to wait for our pick up.  Another family we'd made friends with were also going.   A minibus arrived and Shaun and I were ordered to take our seats on the minibus but the other family weren't - alarm bells were starting to ring!   We worked our way through Sousse, finally stopping on the seafront only to be told we were on the wrong bus.  We were told to sit on the wall and wait for our coach - yes you guessed it the other family were on that one!   Anyway, who knows what had happened - something else to have a giggle about!

El Jem is amazing - I'll let the photos do the talking!   Unfortunately we only had an hour, which really wasn't long enough!

  

We got back on the coach and were taken to Monastir to look at the Ribat which had been used during the filming of Life of Brian.  

It wasn't that interesting, so after a quick walk round the walls we left and went off to explore.  There was a lovely shop which had fixed price goods in and this lead into the Medina.  We didn't go in very far as we didn't want to get caught up with the traders.  We did buy some Sahara Rose/Desert Rose/Tunisian Rose and were completely fleeced by the little git who sold it to us.  We didn't pay very much but when we got back to the Hotel we found some in the local shop for a fraction of the price we'd paid.   We also visited the beautiful mausoleum where the body of Bourguiba (the President of Tunisia) is.     

We got back to the hotel just in time for lunch and then an afternoon of sunbathing.

Wednesday and Thursday were much the same and before we knew it it was Friday and time to  pack and come home.  Luckily as our hotel room was still booked until Sunday we had use of the room all day so could sunbathe and swim all morning, go to lunch and then shower and change before being picked up.   Our flight was due out at 8.15pm, the transfer was arranged for 3pm.  Even with a 2 hour drive that still meant we'd be in Tunis Airport a long time!   The journey was interesting - the driver decided to waste time by going the back roads through the villages instead of the motorway.  It was good to see the locals setting up for their evening feast and Ramadan celebrations.  Our markets are wonderfully organised, Tunisian ones are just set up on the roadside with goods displayed - the butcher had various animal heads on hooks displayed, the most interesting was the firearms stall!

We actually arrived at the airport about half an hour before check in was supposed to open but it was open already so we checked in without queuing and sent straight through border checks and security to the departure lounge.   We did some last minute duty free shopping and found a place to sit.    We were sat next to a lovely Irish lady who lived in Sousse with her Tunisian partner.   During our conversation with her we found out that there had in fact been a lot of trouble during the week, not only the assassination but also a car bomb in Tunis, an army patrol had been ambushed and beheaded and a fire had been set on the mountains to flush out terrorists causing trouble.  She was convinced that once Ramadan was over there would be major rioting and killings.  Thankfully we were soon to be on a plane heading home!   The flight was actually delayed following the thunderstorms in the UK that morning and when we finally boarded we found out our flight was practically empty - lots of room to spread ourselves out.   It wasn't a pleasant flight home - terrible turbulence over France and some dramatic lightning below us.

All in  all it was a lovely holiday and it has made me appreciate what I have - we met some lovely people and we both hope that "the troubles" are over and done with very soon.  We certainly won't return until things have settled down, not that we'll ever know - the British Foreign Office have no travel warnings for Tunisia although today we find out that US Embassies are to close indefinitely across Africa and the Middle East and the British are closing their Yemen Embassy over this weekend.    There is so much more to see there.

I did take my running kit but couldn't find a decent or safe route to run.   I could've used the hotel gym which was very well equipped but it was always very busy.   I've done a lot of swimming instead so it's back on the training plan over the next couple of days.   It's been a while since I've run so it may be a start from scratch plan!

South Coast Run 2013

Last year I took part in the South Coast Run at Seaford.   Because I'm a glutton for punishment I entered this year too, hoping that as it was a month earlier it actually wouldn't be as hot as last year's!

It all started earlier in the year when I shared a video of part of the route the event covers on Twitter.  A couple of Twitter followers immediately said what a lovely area to run.  My response - you can, come join me at the South Coast Run in July!   So that's how it started - a run with a massive tweet up over a weekend.

On Saturday Shaun had volunteered to marshal at the Tri event so got up early to get to the seafront to get into position.   I followed later after walking the dog.   When I got there he was in transition on the swim in and run out gate, all very confusing with people going in and out all at the same time!  It was brilliant to see the event from this angle - last year we spectated.   I'm definitely going to marshal next year, it looks great fun - and you get a lovely pair of sports sunglasses for all your hardwork!

In the meantime Matt, Dawn & Kiernan were making their way to Seaford to spend the Saturday night and Sunday with us.   We all met for dinner at a local chain pub and had a lovely evening with lots of chatting and laughing.

Sunday came all too quickly - a hot sticky day was forecast!  Quick breakfast of bran flakes and banana, a gel and lots of water and we were off to Seaford, picking Matt up on the way.   My parents and brother and girlfriend had also come down to cheer us on together with Kiernan's two aunts who live locally.   The race started at 9am on the dot and followed more or less the same pattern as last year.   The two fellas were running the Half and I was running the 10k; Dawn had come down to support.

Dawn

Kiernan

Matt

Me !

Appreciation for your cheerers - even if they are a bit loud 

 I kind of knew it wasn't going to be a good run, I've had terrible problems with my lower legs and cramp and I had prepared myself for a personal worst.

I finished in 1 hr 15 mins - not last by any means  - 3 other ladies came in after me and 2 men!   I'm pleased with how it went considering the heat although could have done with more vaseline on my feet - I've got some lovely blisters on the soles of my left foot!

Matt and Kiernan did really well with their Halfs - Kiernan came in 30 something and Matt came in 63 out of 80 male runners.  Also got to meet fellow Bosher Richard Wilkins.

Rich

An amazing cheering team - so much appreciated!

Once the Matt and Kiernan had finished we headed to the beach to cool off

A quick dash home to shower (dropping Matt off at his hotel first) and then back to where Dawn had stayed overnight for some lunch and watch the tennis.  We didn't last long in the pub, we were all knackered - at 3 we left to go our respective ways.

It's been a great weekend and I hope we can all get together again soon!

Not sure what happens now, I've got my holiday to Tunisia on the 25th for a week and then back to training.  Danni and I have signed up for the Color Run 5k in September and I'm building up again to the Brooks Brighton 10k in November.  Hoping I can get some more races in between those, but I'm going back out on the trails for a while.

A Lazy Weekend

The weekend just gone was a very lazy affair.   After the past two weekends involving some very early starts waking up at 8am on Saturday morning felt quite pleasant.

The day of Bedgebury was an early start and the Sunday after I got up to walk the dog to Seaford to support everyone taking part in Seaford Half Marathon.

The previous weekend was far from relaxing.   On Saturday we were all up early - Shaun to walk the dog before he left for work and Dani and I were off to spend the day in Canterbury looking round Christ Church University.  Whilst Dani has already made her mind up that she wants to do her Psychology degree at University of Brighton we have already visited Reading and Royal Holloway but we needed one more to give her an idea of different accommodation should she decide to study away from home.  Whilst Canterbury isn't overly difficult to get to by road the University made it quite clear that we should not take the car, or if we did to use the Park & Ride facility.   I hate driving and will avoid it at all costs.   Because of this we had to catch the 7am train from Newhaven!  Changing at Lewes and then again at Ashford International meant a train journey of 3 hours.   We had no idea which way to go when we came out of the station, there were no signposts so we decided to head to the city centre and go from there.   Once we'd walked through the centre we found some student helpers who were dressed in eye catching red t-shirts and were very helpful in getting us to the right place.

First on our agenda was to visit the Psychology Department to get some advice on the course and to have a walk round the campus.    After some lunch in the campus cafe we headed back into town to find the University library to attend a talk on accommodation.  Canterbury is a totally self catered affair, unlike Reading and Holloway which also have catered.    The accommodation is also dotted around the City but nothing is too far from campus.   We both liked the rooms we visited and surprisingly, after Dani had said totally outright she was studying from home she was now beginning to think with an open mind and quite liked the size of the rooms and how they were set out, and was planning how she would cope on her own.

After we'd seen all we could take in we walked back through the City Centre and did a bit of shopping, sussing out places she might be able to get part time work and eating places for the days when she couldn't be bothered to make toast or pot noodle.   We both absolutely loved Canterbury and it will be going down on her list as a possible if she decides not to go to Brighton.

The train journey home was easy too - all the changes in reverse but this time it only took 2.5 hours!

Thankfully my parents had come down to dog sit and they ordered a takeaway for tea which arrived in good time after Shaun had got back from work.

Sunday was another early morning - Shaun was taking part in the London to Brighton Bike Ride.  I hadn't quite envisaged being woken up at 2.30 on Sunday morning by a phone call about changing the van they were using for transportation; and at 4 when he got up to get ready to go; and at 5 when he was picked up by our friend Lucy who was taking the "team" to Clapham Common.  I went back to bed and slept til 7!  I had planned to take the dog out for a long walk over the hills as I didn't know what time I would be back from Brighton but it started to rain and Archie doesn't "do" walking in the rain!   I had planned to get the bus in to Brighton at about 12 in the hope that Shaun wouldn't complete the course in less than 5 hours.   It took a while to walk down to the finish and in the process of moving around we completely missed him crossing the line at just before 1pm.   It had taken him 5 hours and a bit.  I'm so proud of him, after all he's been through with the leg over the last few years it's good to see him enjoying cycling.  The rest of the team came over the line 30 minutes later.  Some other friends and my brother were also taking part and came through just before 3pm!   They all had a brilliant day and can't wait to do it again.

Friday just gone turned out to be quite stressful.  We received an email on Thursday evening from Alpha Rooms to say that our BA return flight from Tunisia had been cancelled.  On Friday Shaun spent the whole day on the phone re-arranging our return.  Unfortunately we have to come back 2 days early.  We've lost £180 worth of accommodation plus a night's stay at the Travelodge which we had to rebook. On the upside I'm not changing my holiday from work so will have a few days at home after to spend with Dani before she flies off to Bulgaria for her holiday.  Thankfully it's all sorted now but for one minute it looked like we may lose the whole holiday.

What's next?  Next weekend is a lazy one too, apart from a bit of running and dog walking, and it's our 24th wedding anniversary.   The following weekend (6th & 7th) is the South Coast Triathlon and South Coast Run which I'm running 10k and also meeting up with some twitter friends.

Trailblazer Bedgebury 10k

I had an absolutely brilliant day yesterday - well by my snail runner standards anyway!   Yesterday I ran the Trailblazer Bedgebury 10k at the Bedgebury Pinetum in Kent.   Shaun took these while I was out running.

Excitement had been building all week, not sure why I was so excited, I went out for a couple of runs during the week and felt good, and also had arranged to meet with some fellow twitter runners and BOSH members.

It was quite warm when we left home, by the time we got to Bedgebury it was 2 degrees less and quite windy.  The Event Village was filling quite quickly with only an hour to the first wave leaving.  I signed my waiver and headed to the registration tent to collect my number and wristband.   Whilst writing my runners info on the back of my number Katherine  text me asking where I was.  Tweetup number 1 was brilliant.  Kath and I have been twitter friends for a while now, so it was lovely to finally meet her. 

Shaun and I then had a bit of a wander, checking out the different things available.  The Runners World tent were offering £15 subscription to include a free Camelbak - was very tempted but not really sure I wanted to sign up for another mag so we left it.  Also in the tent were all the leftover goody bags contents - boxes and boxes of all sorts of things.  Photo later to see what we managed to collect!  There was also the Rat Race shop, with some really good deals on all sorts of kit.

Shaun fancied a bacon sarnie and a cup of tea so we visited the food tent, later on they were serving paella!   We watched the first warm up and the first wave went off to the start at 11am.   

A trip back to the car to drop off all the stuff we didn't need and then back to the Event Village to await the return of the first group. We headed to the point which is about 200m from the finish and after 30 minutes the first two men appeared from between the trees, followed closely by the first female.  I had a bit of a 'moment', wondering if I could actually do this run, everyone coming through looked exhausted!

Back to the Village to queue for the loo.  Not sure why we can't queue in front of each portaloo at events, a long, slow moving single line was the days offering.  Following that delight we went up to the finish line.   The last thing I needed to see before I left for the start was someone passed out on the finish line.  The medical team were doing a great job of looking after him.   He was eventually brought back round and led to the first aid tent.  I hope he's feeling ok this morning. 

I then spotted Terry another tweeter and Athon participant who had done Bedgebury the previous year and had just finished.  Tweetup no 2! Unfortunately one Tweet up and Bosh meet didn't happen - the phone/internet signal was pretty dodgy so I didn't get to meet Helen Reardon (@hcrreardon) or Mary from Bosh.

In the meantime the other 6 waves had warmed up and left and it was finally my turn.  There are loads of photos of me doing the warm up but I've chosen a few for this post

After the warm up Wave 8 was led to the start line.  I'd had a couple of nightmares in the run up to the race that I was the only one in my wave and that Shaun had to rent a mountain bike and come round with me.  Luckily Wave 8 was quite big and I wasn't alone, well at the start anyway!

We stood at the startline for a couple of minutes and given a safety talk by the lovely Helen (Tweetup 3).  Warnings of fallen trees across the trail and keep an eye out for mad MTBers and horses.  At 12.45 we headed off - uphill.  I tried really hard not to stop and walk and kept telling myself to keep going.   It was very hot, not a lot of shade even within the tree lined trail parts.  The trails were very dry and dusty in places.  The scenery though more than made up for it.   I reached 5k in 37 minutes which I was really pleased with as that's only 3 minutes slower than my PB which was set at Eastbourne parkrun.  It all went a bit to pot after that, especially having to limbo under the aforementioned fallen tree (yes I was singing the tune!)  Despite the challenging terrain I was still really enjoying myself.  One girl was playing cat and mouse with me which was a bit annoying - she'd run a bit, and then walk a bit, I managed to overtake her a couple of times in our little game.  Unfortunately she made the mistake of stopping at the water station at 7k and I didn't - hah job done, no way I was going to let her get in front of me again.   At about 1.5 k from the finish Shaun appeared with the camera, it was lovely to see him, and he ran a bit of the way with me (in his walking sandals & backpack!), trying to encourage me to keep running and telling me where to go etc (bless him).

 and he decided to run backwards in front of me!

 He then disappeared to wait at the 200m to go point

 It was a bit dark in there, but at least the ground was nice and soft with pine needles.   I threw passed Shaun my water bottle and carried on for the last 200m to the finish line, a bit more uphill and the official photographer sitting in the long grass.

 and sprinted crossed the line in 1hr 17 mins 59 secs (chip time was 1hr 18.06) .

In the run up to the finish I was spotted by the lovely Paul (twitfam and Athoner) who took some  photos and put them on his Flickr account (tweetup 4!)  The only reason he thought it was me was because I was wearing pink! Lovely to meet him at long last, we have some lovely tweet conversations.

I also spotted cat and mouse girl cross the line after me - she came over and gave me a hug and said thank you for keeping her going (blimey not used to that)!

It was a shame we couldn't hang around, it would have been a lovely afternoon and a chance to see a bit more of the pinetum and have something to eat.  When we got home we sorted out the goody bag/freebie haul

All in all I'm very pleased with how the race went, apart from the wobble before the start at no point did I feel I couldn't do it.  I smiled all the way around, although sometimes it might have been a grimace. It was very hilly course (by my flat running standards).  I think Paul said there were a zillion uphills, Terry said he thought there were lots of downhills.   Everyone did agree though it was a brilliant and challenging course.    It was a lovely day and a brilliantly organised event.  The marshalls around the course were very encouraging which was great, there aren't many places that supporters can cheer you on so having great marshalls was important (for me anyway).

I will definitely be doing it again.

Busy week this week - some early morning dog walks, holiday jabs, runs and I'm starting back at the gym on Wednesday.  I took advantage of a 10 day pass from Groupon at LA Fitness.  I'm really looking forward to going and hope it will help shift some of the weight I've put on.   I've got to shift it now, apart from looking like a blip I'm getting slower and I'm not having that!  Shaun is also doing his London 2 Brighton bike ride on Sunday!