100 km on bike
I had a great experience yesterday. I went out biking with Arnaud, Jochen and Armin. We did a bit over 100 km in the southern parts of Belgium. It took us less than four hours, with an average speed of 28 km/h.
It was a first for me. Due to my back problems (too much running) I have looked for alternative forms of exercise. Biking and swimming have now become a part of the routine.
Arnaud, who works at the 10km bikeshop in Boitsfort, is a semi-professional. It was impressive to watch him "dancing" on his bike. It just looked so effortless. A lot to learn for an amateur like myself.
Brabant Wallon (southern Belgium) provides great biking routes. The canals are especially suitable for biking.
I was still on a rental bike. Can't wait to get my new bike. It is supposed to arrive in the first week of April.
I remember my 10th birthday when I got a brand new Kulkuri, a well known Finnish bike. Can't even describe how excited I was. The funny thing is that some 30 years later, I have that same sensation of excitement. Some people just never seem to grow up...
Tomorrow I am off to Finland on a two day "tour" - will be visiting my 80th high-school, among other things.
20 comments
Hei,
I realize that this comment is not linked to this blog entry... but that's the last English entry, so that's what I'll use!
I wanted to congratulate you for your new nomination as Foreign Minister!!! I haven't been following the ongoings on Finnish politics lately, and was surprised to read what happened. I think you have already been representing Finland quite nicely abroad, and wish you all the best in your new role. May you keep your energy and dedication in this new challenging task!
Bonne chance!
Congratulations. Mr Katainen could not have made a better choice.
I am sure the Finnish people will give you all the support you need.
Congratulations for you nomination! As a long term voter of your represented party, and you especially, I'm happy to see this new turn in the latest events. Best of luck and success in the new task.
Sure you've seen this!
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/politics/danielhannan/april08/finland.htm
TOUTES NOS FELICITATIONS POUR CE NOUVEAU CHALLENGE UNE GRANDE CHANCE POUR LA FINLANDE D AVOIR LA NOUVELLE GENERATION DANS UN POSTE DE DEFIS IMPORTANT ET DE RESPONSABILITES ....BONNE CHANCE .
TOUTE NOTRE AMITIE
Dear Alex,
it might be a bit unusual to send the congratulation message to the international colleauge using the blog, but times are changing and you seem to know how to face them, so why not? :)
We met several times during the EPP Political Bureau or the European Policy working group meetings and although there has never really been a chance to speak, I appreciated your reasonable and usually well formulated comments.
I was pleased to hear that you have become a new Finnish Foreign Minister. Let me wish you lot of success in this responsible, but also enjoyable post - regardless the fact that your nomination makes the chances for next meeting on EP soil less possible. I guess Brussels will and should miss you. But for the future of this continent it does not matter that much in which capital you serve as long as you do it for right purpose.
All the best,
Lucia
============
Lucia Klapacova, International Secretary, SDKU-DS, Slovakia
PS: Great webpage:)!
To be true, it´s unbelievable you have this web page ... it looks like a Facebook profile rather than the personal web page of a Minister.
Do you think you are Peter Pan?
Alex,
The world of diplomacy quakes in fear at the prospect of your toned-bicep arrival. Lucky you had all the training you need from S. Nuttall. Congratulations from the UK Bruges anciens.
David et al
Dear Alexander,
Congratulations on your appointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs! Not sure you remember me, so a short intro: Finnish-Brazilian Bruges Ancien - there certainly aren't many around.
After Bruges and a year working on EU issues - I moved on to the UN-world. I've been working for UNICEF for the past five years, first in Peru and now in New York. I'm very grateful to the MoFA for funding my years in Peru and for funding important programmes on the Peru-Ecuador border.
Congratulations on your 100km bike tour in Belgium too! I'm doing my first 100km approx. tour in NY in May... and looking forward to it!
As I've lost touch with the EU-world and would like to get back on track... is there any recent book you'd recommend - on EU Foreign Policy and/or Development Cooperation?
Best,
Mariana Muzzi
Congrats!
You are great. I wish to be like you one day!!!!
best wishes from Brazil!!!!
=)
The worst thing after the civil war to happen to the Finnish people.
Alex
We are truly delighted for you here in Surrey, England on your recent appointment to the post of Finnish Foreign Minister. You will do a fab job we are sure. We hope to see you very soon. Well done!
Love Angela, Adrian and Zach Clark-Morgan xx
Tout d'abord mes condoléances pour la mort des tes compatriotes hier ŕ Malaga et aussi félicitations pour ta récente nomination comme Ministre. Trčs bonne chance!!!.
Ancien espagnol Promotion R. LLul Bruges (résidence Gouden hand)
Alex,
kiinnostaisi tietää lisää tulevasta pyörästäsi? Runko, osat, kiekot?
Kiitos!
Cool Minister! :-)
Congratulations from Russia!
Sir,
I was very much delighted to discover your blog. It was an amazing reading! Modern technologies changed politics and the way politicians communicate with their folks dramatically. I wish Russian politicians would follow your suit!
Keep on posting your ideas and news.
Thank you very much!
Ilshat,
Moscow
Hey Alex,
Just heard the great news. Congrats my friend. Hoping the move to Helsinki has been an easy one, and the new posting is everything you hope for.
Cheers,
Matt
What an athletic and handsome guy! It's nice to read the blog!
It's pity we don't have such sexy and wise ministers here in Russia!
Congratulations from Chile. Surely you will make a difference. Finland is a great country and as parts of the CE you can change the world.
Congratulations on becoming the minister of foreign affairs of Finnland :)