I love that film....it's mostly filmed in Wells, Somerset where I grew up, and I worked in the supermarket that they use in the movie....certainly brings back memories for me. No living statues around then though.
I think it's been mentioned, but not in any detail, and the implications will be far reaching I think. Journalism in a war zone has always been a risky business, but I think this crosses a line....we are used to seeing press reports during conflicts, and almost expect to be kept informed, however this brings home just how much these guys put themselves at risk for their profession. It must be the worst thing in the world to actually be able to see your loved one being killed live on the internet, so my heart really does go out to his family. I have a feeling we will see some escalation on the part of the US now
That's fanaticism for you - Its so difficult to counteract because both sides in this type of conflict are usually ideologically distant and have completely conflicting value systems. There's no easy fix here, and I think it is going to get uglier and more brutal as time goes on, with greater and greater shock value being sought with each atrocity. The Americans are stuck to some extent, because its not a war they can win yet the will be under increasing pressure from their own population to try. The several wars that have been fought in Afghanistan in recent years appear to have taught the world nothing except that they are unwinnable due to the fact that rebel forces can go from fighter to civilian merely by hiding their weapons and pretending to be part of the general population. The IS situation is slightly different because there is rather more overt organisation, but when they are amongst the civilian population, it is difficult if not impossible to separate them out. Vietnam should still be fresh on the minds of the Americans as a prime example of why these conflicts are often unresolvable, however they seem to think that they think they won that war and can control the current situations using force as well. IS are using shock tactics, however they are not trying to make friends and it is difficult to see where this will end.
I love Amsterdam, for all the reasons listed above. Fantastic, vibrant city and so easy to get around. I went in May with my wife, and am going back in October without her for a boys weekend. I know I should know better at 47, but I love the sleazy side as much as the cultural as it gives the city so much character, plus there is a chip shop called Chipsy King near the flower market, which is just the best name for a chippie ever
The cyclists are scary though. You can make your way across 2 lanes of cars, having avoided the trams in the centre, and then a silent but deadly cyclist sneaks up on you just as you reach the safety of the pavement. And there are bikes EVERYWHERE. They even have a multi-storey bike park next to the train station. But there are lots of other lovely things too, apart from the bikes.
Normally I love cyclists and I have my own bike. If I spent more time in Amsterdam I would get used to it, but my overwhelming impression of walking around that beautiful city was always having to watch out for bikes. I'm sure if I went to Beijing the same thing would happen until I got used to it. It's actually brilliant that so much provision is made for cyclists and quite shameful that we don't do more in this country, although I have a friend active in Sustrans and they are making huge strides adapting disused railway lines and so on.
It's practically free to fly over as well so it's well worth going just for a weekend. Booking in advance with Easyjet me and a friend got the return flight for £30 a few weeks ago. You could practically commute it! It's a beautiful city full of life and cycling round it was one of my favourite experiences. Also, fantastic (non-red light district) nightlife!
I paid £49 return so not as good as your £30 tickets but got really convenient flight times. I'm going to hire a couple of bikes this time, as it's such a brilliant way to get around the city. I agree with Chilco though, when you're on foot, the bikes can be a bit of a hazard for the unwary.
I've just come back from Belgium, and the cycling ethos is the same. I love it, but I have just got back into cycling again since moving down from London a few years back. Doing my first sportive next month! Drove to Ghent (via ferry) and its a great little city, I recommend it. We happened to get there on a bank holiday weekend, and there was all sorts of music and events going on around the cobbled streets. The beer, well, pretty outstanding. Tripple Carmelit is the jive of the Gods.
It's the Tunbridge Wells bike ride. Last years first one was a success, so it continues. Its run by Wildside cycles in T.Wells; a good independent store. There are two options, 25 mile and 55 mile. I'm at the 25 mile level I'm afraid! there is some fantastic countryside around here, and as its on the Weald there are some hills to contend with. I haven't done the route yet, but plan to do some of it as I've had a pause in training due to overdoing it a bit. you a keen cyclist then?
I am actually looking at doing that one but as I don't drive I have to get the train to sportives in and around Kent and Sunday service trains start a lot later than you think so I probably wouldn't get there in time. I'm a club cyclist, been cycling for about 3 years, do about 3,000 miles a year. Just winding down after the Ride London 100 (86 really) - pretty much the end of the season now. I ride with Bigfoot CC (if you are about on Saturday mornings you've probably seen the white and blue jerseys) our routes often take us around Sevenoaks/Edenbridge way - some great hills around there; Trevereux, Ide, Toys, Yorks etc. I'm doing Ride of the Fallen Leaves which starts in Dulwich in October, a 100 mile sportive in New Forest and another 100 miler in Chichester the week after, finally the Evans Ride It! Biggin Hill event in November is my traditional season ender. It never gets easier, you just get faster
Wow, good for you, fairly serious stuff. I assume you have a carbon bike? I'm looking to build up to a 50 mile sportive. The hills most challenging for me so far are Fordcombe and Groombridge. Fordcombe I think is fairly well known in these parts.
Chilco, the biggest problem in China today is not the pedal cycles that many people visualize everyone rides here but the electric cycles. There are more electric cycles in use than pedal cycles and they use the path more than the road, making an evening stroll quite a challenge.
