Come on then, I’ll tell you how it went.

As some of you might know, I’m starting my trip from Amsterdam to Morocco today. Yes, that means cycling a few days and camping a few too.

Everything was packed and ready to go, and I had my mum helping with the last few things before we set off for Newcastle. The trip over wasn’t much to talk about — steady as she goes — and leaving was much the same. It was actually a nice change after the past couple of days.

My father, brother and mother all came up to see me off, which was really nice. It’s fairly normal for my mum to adventure up to the far north. We’re often found trampling around the fells of Cumbria together, and this time was no different.

No swims this time, although we did have a good walk over Darling Fell and a beautiful trip up Whinlatter the day before. Both were good walks despite the rain and wind, which was particularly aggressive on top of Darling Fell.

It just made it more fun really. We were like kids trying to lean into the gusts, hoping to feel even 10% as cool as Michael Jackson.

I don’t think I did.

Anyway, as I said, my father and brother also came up, which was lovely. I don’t get to see them as much as I should really. My brother has also asked me to be his best man for his wedding, so either he really likes me or he has no friends.

I think the latter is the one I’ll be commenting on in my speech.

I’m sure he’ll love that.

Dad can’t walk particularly far, so there wasn’t really much to do other than eat and drink.

So that’s what we did.

We had a night of, well, what I can only describe as a bit of class. We tried the Inn on the Square, and the restaurant inside, Brossen, is a decent steakhouse. Good wine, reasonably priced steaks, and the usual sort of thing you’d expect. Nothing too spectacular or groundbreaking, but sometimes that’s exactly what you want.

A few cocktails later, and after leaving Dad and my brother to stay at the Skiddaw Hotel, Mum and I headed back home on the bus.

In the morning came breakfast, goodbyes, and finally the chance to head off for the hills.

But back to the boat.

It’s been a long few days getting me to this point, but here I am now.

The bike is packed and stored under the deck, which gives me what feels like the last time I’ll be more than ten feet away from its saddle for a very long time.

And honestly, I’m kind of glad about that.

I guess I’m still waiting for the feeling of “Is this really happening? Am I actually doing this?”

I’m sure it’ll hit me soon.

Because, really…

Yes.

I am doing this.

It’s been a fun start, though.

I met a group of ladies who must have been well into their seventies, all on their bikes from Durham, ready to cycle around the Netherlands for the next five days.

They remarked on how lightly I’d packed and, after explaining what I was doing, I think they finally understood why.

Boarding was nice and easy. I headed straight for my room, opened the door and found it completely empty.

Luckily, I think I’m the only one in there.

That’s a good feeling.

I don’t mind sharing space, but I’m definitely glad to have the single.

Food has been good too.

There’s an Adventure Bar, or something like that, on the DFDS ferry. A nice buffet with loads of different food from all over the world.

After two plates packed with pizza and Korean meatballs, I was thoroughly stuffed to the gills.

Duty free and about four different bars also means there isn’t much time to be bored.

Even now I’m listening to the rapid mumblings of what might be the most Irish DJ I’ve ever heard. I can’t understand a word of it, but everyone seems to be having fun.

There’s something strangely fancy about the whole place.

Almost upper-class.

Dare I say it… fancy.

It feels like the inside of a bougie London bar, but without losing the comfort of a normal, unfancy pub.

I’m still not quite enough beers in to join the old couple dancing to Bruno Mars.

But maybe.

Maybe I’ll get there.

For now, I think I’ll just sit and watch the waves.

It’s a strange feeling looking out of the windows of a ferry. You completely lose any sense of perspective or distance. The sea seems to stretch forever, and your eyes don’t really know what they’re looking at.

But yes.

This is a travel blog, after all.

Everything is interesting and exciting at the moment.

Although, if I’m honest, I think I’m tired now.

So I’m going to leave the rest for tomorrow.

Goodnight, GNG.