The Alkmaar Diary 2002. 

 19e Akersloot to Alkmaar Race - 6500 metres
AA Race Akmaar Rowing Club 21st April 2002, After receiving an invitation from our twin town of Alkmaar, Minerva responded with its usual vigour and managed to organise a party of 3 to race for the challenge shield. This pathetic effort may be due to the lack of success in recent years, it seems such a long time ago that the Gods smashed the AA Race course record to bring the shield home.  Those of us that did attend had a fantastic time, taking in some of the more cultural sites of Holland.

The 'Love for Sale' exhibition in Amsterdam and the 'Floriada' (Dutch equivalent of the Chelsea flower show, but with the usual Dutch flair). In between we managed to sample the local ale and food including those famous Belgium frites.

Friday19th April.

Andy Hamilton wakes to find slug in ear, that will teach him to stay at Mr Fry's house. Picked up Mr Ursell and made way to Bristol Airport for the 06:20 flight to Amsterdam. Arrive Schipol by 09:15 and make way into Amsterdam. After abandoning bags at the train station we set of for the red light district, alas it is closed, yes even prostitutes sleep, better luck next year Andy. We settled for a cup of coffee.

We decided to take a whistle stop tour of the many street markets, books, flowers, trinkets before eventually settling in to a bar for a swifty. We had arranged to meet our hosts in the Cafe by the train station, huggy will remember it well after the cake incident. The day was turning into a cultural event as we found ourselves in the history of Amsterdam museum. We had come especially to see "Love for Sale", an exhibition on the history of prostitution, very interesting. After a very nice Spanish meal of Tapas (squid, chorizo and olives. Andy's don't like Olives 'They taste like Soap)' and Paella we made our way to the train station, again without incident.

Saturday 20th April.

Early start,  10:00 am, we make our way to the rowing club. After an hour of drinking coffee, yes Mr Hamilton's got a headache, we decide that rowing's for queers and decide to go to the 'Floriada' .  We catch the train to Haarlem and bus it to the show. The site must be over 2 miles long and half a mile wide, lots of walking to be done. The exhibits varied from agricultural to science fiction, 3D cinema, Helicopter simulator, Climate change videos, giant pyramid and oh yes, Flowers.  We were there for over 5 hours, poor Andy Ursell was very tired, and Chris was sounding very chirpy.

Back to the club for spaghetti and more beer. Ivo joined us later and kindly took us on a pub crawl, Andy U wanted to go to bed, but was persuaded to stay. We made it home by 2:30 the next morning, Andy U's bike was driven home by Dorien, he couldn't remember the way, Andy H and Mr. Fry had to walk.

Sunday 21st April.

After a hearty breakfast we make our way to the race briefing!!! Yes I know it's hard to believe, we have been put in charge of starting the Ladies race.  Andy Ursell was the starter, Andy H on the stopwatch and Chris Fry the time keeper. Needless to say the task was handled with such aplomb we have been asked to do it again next year.

Andy Ursell due to his seniority, was given the added task of presenting the medals for the ladies 4's and 8's winners. Unfortunately for Andy they had already left for home, so no Kissy Kissy.  The day seemed very hollow though, I can't remember the last time Minerva wasn't racing for the shield. I got fed up explaining to our Dutch hosts why we weren't racing, oh the shame of it all.

Sunday was rounded of with a meal at a local French Fondue restaurant, the Alkmaar boys came along and made it a memorable night. Much alcohol was consumed and yes, Andy H had another headache the next day. The speeches over, we said our goodbyes and were heartily encouraged that Alkmaar want to come over again, not put of by our poor showing this year. The Alkmaar boys are particularly looking forward to sampling the Somerset Cider, I have taken the precaution of pre-booking beds at the RUH for them.

Monday 22nd April.

Alas, the final farewell, it was time to come home. Our journey to Schipol was again without incident, the flight taking only 55 minutes. 

The whole weekend was absolutely fantastic, and as usual our Dutch hosts made us feel very welcome and went out of their way to make sure we had a good time, and I can assure you we certainly did.

Many thanks to Andy H who organised the weekend. We have invited our Dutch friends over for a weekend in Sept/Oct, they are already looking forward to defending the challenge shield.  

The Challenge Shield page for pictures and reports from previous races