text:
USS Lydonia (SP-700)
Lydonia (American Steam Yacht, 1912) - Halftone reproduction of a photograph taken prior to World War I.
Career (USA)
100x35px
Name: USS Lydonia
Namesake: A former name retained
Owner: William A. Lydon
Builder: Pusey and Jones, Wilmington, Delaware
Laid down: date unknown
Completed: 1912
Acquired: by the Navy 21 August 1917
Commissioned: 27 October 1917 as USS Lydonia (SP 700)
Decommissioned: 7 August 1919 at Norfolk, Virginia
Renamed: USCGS Lydonia (CS 302) on 7 August 1919
Struck: circa 1919
Homeport: Gibraltar
Honors and
awards: received partial credit for the sinking of the German submarine UB-70
Fate: transferred to the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey on 7 August 1919
Type: Yacht
Tonnage: 497 gross tons
Length: 181'
Beam: 26'
Draft: 11' 5"
Propulsion: steam engine
Complement: 34 officers and enlisted
Armament: Four 3-inch guns
Two machine guns
USS Lydonia (SP-700) was a 497 gross ton yacht acquired by the U.S. Navy during World War I. She was outfitted as a patrol craft and spent most of the war based out of Gibraltar, escorting and protecting Allied ships in the Mediterranean and along the Atlantic Ocean coast of Europe. Post-war she was transferred to the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey as USCGS Lydonia (CS-302).
1 Built in Wilmington, Delaware
2 World War I service
2.1 Based out of Gibraltar
2.2 Encountering U-boat UB-70
2.3 End-of-war operations
3 Post-war disposal
4 United States Coast and Geodetic Survey service
Built in Wilmington, Delaware
Lydonia (SP 700) was built by Pusey and Jones, Wilmington, Delaware, in 1912; acquired by the Navy 21 August 1917 from William A. Lydon; and commissioned 27 October 1917, Lt. Cmdr, R. P. McCullough in command.
World War I service
Based out of Gibraltar
After repairs and target practice off Bermuda, the converted yacht departed the Caribbean in mid November and arrived Horta, Azores, 7 December 1917. Two weeks later she arrived Gibraltar to join the U.S. patrol squadron operating along the Atlantic and Mediterranean sides of the Straits of Gibraltar.
Assigned the task of protecting Mediterranean supply convoys, Lydonia remained on constant vigil for deadly U-boats during the early. months of 1918. She made two attacks on enemy submarines in February while guarding Allied convoys and although the results were negative. the experience was to pay off at a later date.
Encountering U-boat UB-70
On 8 May, Lydonia was steaming with a convoy from Bizerte to Gibraltar when she encountered German submarine UB-70. With the British destroyer Basilisk, the patrol craft made coordinated depth charge attacks at 1735, after the British merchant ship SS Ingleside was destroyed by a torpedo. After 15 minutes of running battle, the attack was curtailed and survivors of Ingleside were rescued. Heavy seas prevented an immediate assessment of possible damage to the submarine, but later evaluations credited Lydonia and Basilisk with sinking UB 70.
End-of-war operations
For the rest of the war, Lydonia continued escort operations from Bizerte to Gibraltar, playing a major role in the free movement of vital wartime supplies. Calling in Azores and Caribbean ports en route to the United States, she arrived Hampton Roads, Virginia, 6 February 1919.
Post-war disposal
Lydonia decommissioned at Norfolk, Virginia, 7 August 1919 and was transferred to the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey the same day.
United States Coast and Geodetic Survey service
Main article: USC&GS Lydonia
Commissioned into the Coast and Geodetic Survey in 1919 as USC&GS Lydonia, Lydonia operated as a survey ship until 1947.
This article includes text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. The entry can be found here.
USS Lydonia (SP-700), 1917-1919. Previously the civilian steam yacht Lydonia (1912)
NavSource Online: Lydonia (SP 700)
Retrieved from "https://ship.spottingworld.com/wiki/index.php?title=USS_Lydonia_(SP-700)&oldid=14386"
Wikipedia articles incorporating text from the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
World War I patrol vessels of the United States
Patrol vessels of the United States Navy
Ships built in Delaware
Steam yachts
1912 ships


text:
Browse: Home / California Courts: Pimping for Pedophiles?
Untold Truths About the Planned War on Iran
By wmw_admin on April 9, 2013
Dynamite documentary: Press TV talks to former White House insider Gwenyth Todd about the push for war with Iran. She has subsequently escaped to Australia to avoid FBI prosecution. Essential viewing
Category: Essential Reading, Inside the White House and Washington's Beltway, Iran, Israel, 'Anti-Semitism', Zionism and US-UK allies
Worlds Before Our Own 2
Housed in a warehouse in Ica, Peru, is a collection of ancient stone tablets which carry pictures portraying advanced medical practice. They open a Pandora's box of questions and challenge everything we have been taught about our past
Category: Essential Reading, The Ancient Past
Al Qaeda – The Database
By Wayne Madsen on May 15, 2009
Pierre-Henry Bunel, a former agent for French military intelligence, tells of the origins of Al Qaeda and its ultimate purpose
Category: "The War on Terror", Essential Reading
The Marijuana Trick
Doug Yurchey looks at the history of Hemp and the real reason why it is now illegal. As with so many other things, we've been sold a lie to maximise the profits of a few
The day the gas-chamber myth died
After a tour of alleged Nazi gas chambers, a specialist in designing U.S. execution facilities describes as "just ludicrous that these facilities could have been used as gas chambers" (Video fixed)
Holocaust, Hate Speech & Were the Germans so Stupid? – Updated
By wmw_admin on March 23, 2011
The brilliant examination of the 'Holocaust' by Anthony Lawson has since been censored on the basis of a false Copyright infrigment. But as Lawson explains, this just another attempt to stiffle freedom of expression
Category: Controlling the News And/Or the Free Exchange of Ideas and Information, Essential Reading, Hidden and Revisionist History, Israel, 'Anti-Semitism', Zionism and US-UK allies
Have You Read the Talmud Lately?
By wmw_admin on September 3, 2006
The Talmud expounds some of the most virulent racism, as these extracts plainly show. However, as a reader points out not all Jews are influenced by it, or even read it. Only the ultra religious study it, the rest haven't a clue. We leave you to decide
The Lady, The Queen and what it really means
Every picture tells a story and with some photos and a few words Paul Powers shows us what was hidden in the background when Queen Elizabeth II met pop sensation Lady Gaga
California Courts: Pimping for Pedophiles?
By wmw_admin on December 7, 2011
Barbara Farris – The Ellis County Observer Dec. 4, 2011
The following summaries are a few selected samples of real California Family Law cases (catogorized by county), in which children are taken away from safe parents, and forced to live with abusive parents. Is this becasue the abuser is offered money to film his sexual abuse against the child so the judicial system gets a kick back. All involved would be local police, judges, children services, attorneys and even medical examinars.
You decide after reading the following, is 8 billion a year worth this type of corruption.
When these children were four, seven and nine years old, they were taken from their mother who was accused of non-evidentiary Parent Alienation Syndrome, and placed in the full custody of their father. This occurred in 1996, after the two girls disclosed molest by their father, despite corroborative medical evidence, explicit disclosures of abuse to law enforcement, and receipt of California Victims of Crime funding for therapy due to the crime committed against them. They had a cluster of symptoms indicative of sexual abuse, including nightmares, encopresis, excessive fears, sexualized behavior, depression, dissociation, anger, physical pains, headaches, constipation, and stomach aches. The mother, found by the court to be a good, loving mother and not accused of any crime, has been on supervised visitation since the reversal of custody three years ago. The mother, bankrupt after spending $250,000, must represent herself in court against the father's attorney. The children's attorney functions as a de facto attorney for the accused perpetrator.
After disclosing molest by her father, this 11-year-old victim and her two siblings were forced to continue overnight, unsupervised visits with the identified perpetrator. The father admitted molesting his daughter and was convicted. Nevertheless, overnight visits were court ordered to continue. In 1997 the five-year-old daughter disclosed molest by the father. Unsupervised visits continued because the court determined the father was not able to pay a supervisor.
In 1998 this 4-year-old boy was taken from his mother and given to his physically abusive father. He is barred from any contact from his mother.
This little girl, born in 1994, was taken away from her mother when she was a toddler, and placed with her father, despite her on-going disclosures of sexual abuse by the father. She had a cluster of symptoms indicative of sexual abuse including anger, phobias, eating problems, insomnia, constipation, headaches, nausea, regression, terror when her diapers were changed, night terrors, and attention problems. These problems increased when she was placed with the father, but the numerous reports to CPS have been to no avail. The child cries until she vomits when she leaves her mother on week-end visits and is forced to return to the father.
Los Angeles/Orange County (Torrance)
Born in 1988, this little girl was placed in the custody of her mother when she was five years old, seeing her violent father only in the presence of a court monitor. When she was seven, she was forced to see her father without a supervisor, and reported to professionals that he was sexually and physically abusing her. The abuse was corroborated by medical evidence. She had a cluster of symptoms indicative of sexual abuse including nightmares, night terrors, enuresis, encopresis, excessive fears of her mother dying, depression, suicide attempt, eating disorder, extreme dissociation, intense anger, flashbacks, physical pains, headaches, insomnia, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, stomach aches, and a learning disability. Rather than protecting her, Judge F. granted primary custody to her father. In Utah, where her mother had moved, physical and sexual abuse was substantiated and she received complete court protection. However, California regained jurisdiction and placed her with the father. The child, now 11, is only able to see her non-offending mother for 8 hours per month under supervised conditions.
These two children, a boy born in 1982 and a girl born in 1984, were in the full custody of their mother who was a victim of domestic violence. In 1989 and 1990, both children disclosed sexual abuse by the father. They had a cluster of symptoms indicative of sexual abuse, including lack of intact hymen, vaginal infections, nightmares and night terrors, enuresis and encopresis, phobias, sexualized behavior, depression, eating disorders, intense anger, headaches, and stomach aches. The mother was charged by the State of Georgia for not protecting the children from the father. The children received California Victims of Crime funding for therapy due to the crimes committed against them. However, in 1990 the California court took the children away from their mother and put them with the father's family. The mother was placed on supervised visitation. In 1992 the father gained custody and hid the children from their mother. $36,000 back child support owed to the mother was erased, and the court doubled her payments of child support. In 1997 the mother was assaulted and injured in the courthouse by the father, who continued to terrorize her. The mother, a court monitor herself, was chosen "1995 Humanitarian of the Year" by her university.
Born in 1987, this child began masturbating at school and reported sexual abuse by her father when she was seven years old. The Department of Children and Family Court Services (DCFS) concluded she had been sexually abused. She was placed in the custody of her mother, and saw her father on court-ordered supervised visits. The child repeatedly asked to be placed with her mother and consistently reported sexual molest by her father, even in court. Nevertheless, in she was taken away from her non-abusive mother and placed in the custody of her father on the recommendation of an evaluator. In 1994 DCFS filed another sexual-abuse petition against the father in juvenile court. However, the child remained in the custody of her father, despite having a court-appointed attorney who does not represent the wishes of the child. In 1998, the court cut off her off from all contact with her non-offending mother. Currently this severely learning-disabled child is allowed to see her mother only twice a week under supervised conditions. The mother is now bankrupt.
Los Angeles/Riverside County (Torrance Superior Court)
This child was raised by her mother who has never been accused of any crime. In 1998 she was taken away from her mother and legal father, and forced to live with a man whom she has continuously stated sexually abused her. She is allowed no contact with her mother, who has tried unsuccessfully to protect her.
This two-year-old girl disclosed sexual abuse by father, and was given to identified abuser. The mother is on supervised visits.
These small children were placed in the custody of their mother when they were nearly one and two years old. Their violent father was ordered to take a parenting class. A year later they were taken away from their mother and forced to live with their father. The judge stated he was only interested in the mother's "alienation" (the mother was breast-feeding), and ignored police reports of the father's domestic violence and history of DUI's. The unemployed mother is ordered to pay child support of over $1200 per month to the multi-millionaire Israeli father (who obtained a green card through their marriage). The toddlers are being raised to speak only Hebrew and are only allowed scant contact with their mother, who cannot afford an attorney.
Born in 1990, this child made graphic disclosures of rape by his father, including group sex, to physicians, therapists, and detectives. He had a cluster of symptoms indicative of sexual abuse including sexualized behavior, depression, suicide attempt, eating disorder, extreme dissociation, intense anger, physical pains, headaches, insomnia, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, stomach aches, learning disability and attention problems. CPS did not protect him. The child's attorney did not represent the child's wishes. Despite saying that he wanted to live with his mother, he was forced to live with his identified perpetrator who then moved to Boston. He is rarely allowed to see his mother, and only with a supervisor.
Born in 1989, this child was taken from his mother after he disclosed that his father beat him when he was 4 years old. There was medical evidence of abuse. The child had a cluster of symptoms indicative of sexual abuse, including sexualized behaviors, depression, intense anger, nightmares and night terrors, headaches, stomach aches, bladder problems and enuresis, diarrhea, phobias, and attention problems. The boy stated he wanted to live with his mother, and instead was forced to live with his father. The child's attorney does not represent the wishes of the child. The non-offending mother has spent approximately $85,000 and must represent herself in court.
Los Angeles (Long Beach and Concord)
This four-year-old child lived with his mother and 3 brothers in Long Beach after his parents separated in 1997. When the mother decided to move to Northern California, the judge ordered the child delivered to Southern California every week for visits in 1998. An evaluator recommended a change of custody to the father, despite the mother complying with the visitation schedule.
This little girl reported sexual abuse, corroborated by 4 medical reports, by her father who physically abused and choked her mother unconscious. She was placed in the custody of her mother, a bank vice president, and saw her father only under supervised conditions. The father threatened and stalked them until the mother and child took refuge in a battered women's shelter. The child was forced to visit her father without supervision, and was subsequently re-abused. Her mother was court-ordered not to take her to the doctor. The mother fled with her daughter to Europe in 1992, because she could not obtain protection for the child through California family law court. They were found 1½ years later, and the child was placed in the full custody of her father. Her mother went to prison for depriving the father visitation, is prohibited from contacting her daughter, and is ordered to pay the father $65,000 in restitution.
Mono County
In 1997, these five- and six-year-old brothers were taken away from their mother, amid allegations that the mother deliberately kept the youngest child sick. The five-year-old was subsequently hospitalized when the father did not take care of his illness. The father threatened suicide at the hospital, and had to be subdued, disarmed and taken to a psychiatric hospital by police. Subsequently, the boys were placed in foster care. The five-year-old, who suffered from a rare blood sugar disease, became fatally ill and died after social worker and foster parents failed to provide appropriate medical care, in spite of the mother's pleas. The older boy is forced to live with his father, despite his statement that he wants to live with his mother, and statements by his older sister to CPS about sexual abuse by their father. He is only allowed to see his non-offending mother with a court monitor. The mother has won 3 wrongful death lawsuits against the father and the county totaling over $800,000.
This child, when she was 6 years old, was ripped from her mother's arms and given into the custody of her father whom she had reported molested her. She begs to come to live with her mother, who has spent several hundred thousand dollars trying to protect her.
Born in 1994, this little girl began disclosing sexual abuse when she was only 1½ years old. She identified her father as the perpetrator. She eventually told a doctor, counselor and school teacher about the abuse. She had a cluster of symptoms indicative of sexual abuse, consisting of nightmares, night terrors, sexualized behavior, enuresis, fear of her father, depression, eating disorder, dissociation, extreme anger, physical pains, headaches, insomnia, nausea, and stomach aches. Despite documentation of the sexual abuse to the court, she is forced to stay unsupervised with her father. The child's attorney does not represent his client's wishes. The mother has spent approximately $150,000 trying to protect her child and is now without an attorney. She has not seen her child.
This boy, born in 1990, was placed in the custody of his mother after to his parents divorce, with overnight visits with his father. When he was less than two years old, he began reporting on-going sodomy by his father. He had a cluster of symptoms indicative of sexual abuse, including rectal bleeding, nightmares, night terrors, enuresis, encopresis, sexualized behavior, depression, extreme dissociation, intense anger, flashbacks, physical pains, insomnia, diarrhea, and stomach aches. The child disclosed the abuse to 5 teachers, family physician, therapists, police, family and friends. There were over 62 reports of suspected abuse in 7 years. Child Protective Services investigated and substantiated 7 reports of child sex abuse. The child wrote and talked to the judge, asking to live with his mother and grandmother. Instead, the court repeatedly placed him in the custody of his identified perpetrator. He called 911 for help from his father's house, and his therapist called the police to help him, and was put into expensive private foster care, rather than with his non-offending mother. He was able to stay with his mother while she was dying. Four months after her death, he was forcibly removed from his non-offending grandmother's care by armed police. He was placed in expensive foster care again for over six months, and is now forced by Juvenile Court to live with his identified perpetrator permanently. The child's attorneys did not represent his wishes, and functioned as de facto attorneys for the accused perpetrator.
This child, born in 1986, had nightmares and medical evidence of sexual abuse at age 4 ½ years, and identified her father as the perpetrator. The judge ordered that the father's new wife supervise the visits. The child again disclosed molestation. CPS and the sheriff's department placed her in the Children's Receiving Home. After a 6 month investigation and UC Davis Medical Center examinations, the little girl was placed with her mother, and the father was not allowed visits. During reunification, the therapist recommended unsupervised visits. The mother fled with the child to Canada to protect her from further abuse. They were found after 11/2 years and the mother was put in jail. The child was forced to live with her identified perpetrator and did not see her mother for six years. She is currently being treated for suicide attempts and alcoholism.
These two boys were taken from their mother and given to their father when they were 12 and 15 years old, after they reported that their father abused them and threatened suicide. The father had brutally abused the mother during the marriage. When the boys asked their mother to motion the court to remove their court-appointed attorney who was threatening them, the judge gave guardianship of the boys to that attorney. The children protested being removed from their mother, pleaded with the judge and evaluator, refused to get on the airplane to be sent to another state, and were forced to go to live with the father. The younger child ran away from his father's home and cannot be found.
These three children reported sexual molestation by the father to numerous professionals. Physical evidence of the abuse was found for all three, and the children had psychological symptoms of nightmares, school phobias, eating disorders, and suicidal ideation. Both parents have equal time with the children due to evaluator recommendations.
In 1996 this 3 ½ year old child, who lived in the custody of her mother, stated she was being touched by her father inappropriately during visits. The recommendation from the mediator was to have supervised visits, but the evaluator denied the molest, did not gather evidence, misquoted parties, and recommended 50/50 custody. The child again disclosed molest. When the judge still refused to provide supervised visits, CPS in another county took the child into protective custody and supervised visits were ordered. However, Sacramento County took jurisdiction and the evaluator said the mother had Parent Alienation. The judge forced both the girl and her brother to live with their father, despite ordering the father to attend anger control classes.
This little boy had speech problems, frequent ear infections and leg pains, nightmares, enuresis, fears and phobias. The mother divorced the physician father (who was in treatment for addiction to pornography) due to his violence and alcohol abuse. During the divorce proceedings, a custody evaluation report was written which the mother was not allowed to see. The father demanded custody of the child. The mother's attorney said she would lose all parental rights if she did not accede to the demand. She acceded and the child is now allowed to see his non-offending mother only under supervised conditions, despite the child's statements that his father abuses him.
This child reported sexual abuse by the father to numerous professionals. The child had medical and psychological evidence of sexual abuse, yet was required to visit the father unsupervised, due to evaluator's recommendations.
This child reported sexual abuse by the father. CPS investigation confirmed the abuse and there was medical evidence of sexual abuse. The child was required to visit the father unsupervised, due to the evaluator's recommendations.
In 1993 this child's mother divorced her father due to his physical abuse of the child. After a visit with her father, the child reported physical and sexual abuse. There was medical evidence of genital warts, bruises and welts. In 1995 after an evaluation, the mother was ordered to bring the child to court. The court forced the child to live with her identified perpetrator father. After the evaluation was overturned in a peer review, the child was placed half time with her mother. The evaluator did another report in 1997, and again recommended the child be placed with her father. After the child told her mother that she wanted to commit suicide, she was not allowed to see her mother at all. Now she may see her non-offending mother only with a court monitor present.
Born in 1989, this child was placed in the custody of his mother when he was 20 months old. His father had physically abused his mother for 9 years. The child returned from visits with the father with bruises, black eyes, a raw penis, headaches, ear aches, stomach aches and throat infections. At age 4, he had sexualize behavior, masturbation, nightmares, night terrors, enuresis, depression, dissociation, insomnia, nausea, and attention problems. The child tried to jump out of a moving car when he had to return to his father. The evaluator ignored hospital reports and police reports. The court gave full custody to the father in 1995, despite the child's stated desire to stay with his mother. Four months later he again disclosed sexual abuse to 12 professionals and 3 CPS workers. Nevertheless, the court forced him to remain in his father's custody, and has denied him any visits with his mother. The mother is now bankrupt.
These seven and ten year old children reported physical and sexual abuse by father. The father received full custody and mother is on supervised visits once per week when she can afford it.
Born in 1987, this child reported sexual abuse to his pediatrician when he was six years old. He had sexualized behavior, fears of his mother dying, depression, flashbacks, physical pains, headaches, insomnia, and stomach aches. He has a medical condition called Williams Syndrome in which his body ages rapidly, but he is younger in many ways than his biological age. In 1988 he and his mother had moved to a battered woman's shelter due to violence in the home. He stated he wanted to live with his mother, a teacher. Instead he is forced by the court to live with his violent father who had been convicted of DUI and stealing, and is permanently disabled with mental disability. The father moved the child to another state, and sees his mother only a few times per year. The child's attorney did not represent the child's wishes.
After a short marriage this child's parents separated in 1986. Custody of the one year old child was given to the mother. He returned from visits with the father with genital irritation. At age 2 ½ he disclosed genital touching by the father, and at age 3 ½ he displayed sexually precocious behavior to a therapist, and a deep bruise on his genitals. An evaluation was ordered. The evaluator recommended full custody to the father. The mother left the state with the child to protect him from further abuse. 1 ½ years later the mother and child were apprehended. Both old and new abuse evidence was suppressed in court, through the efforts of a social worker. Although there was medical evidence of sexual abuse and evidence of abuse by the father from another victim, full custody was given to the father and the mother was placed on supervised visits. The child continued to disclose abuse. The father moved to another state, and the mother's visits have been thwarted.
In 1993 this three year old child began to reveal she was sexually abused by her father. The family court refused to consider any evidence of sexual abuse and ordered "molest cannot be an issue in this case". Unsupervised visits, and later temporary custody with the father, were ordered in 1994. An evaluator recommended that the child be removed from the mother's house due to "severe parental alienation." The mother was placed on supervised visits, and is now allowed weekends with the child. The evidence of molest is overwhelming, as testified to by 3 psychologists, a police investigator, an expert in child sexual abuse allegations, tape recordings of the child's disclosures, sexual acting out, photographs of the father naked with the child on his lap, and medical evidence of labial adhesions. . The attorney for the child does not listen to the child's wants, but indicates he is doing what is "best" for the child. The police determined probable cause, but the District Attorney declined to prosecute the father. This child ran away from her father's home.
Born in 1994, this child disclosed that he was being molested by his father when he was nine years old. He told counselors, CPS, and police, and had symptoms of nightmares, night terrors, enuresis and encopresis, excessive fears of men and anger, sexualized behavior, depression, suicide attempt, eating disorder, dissociation, intense anger, flashbacks, physical pains, headaches, insomnia, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, stomach aches. Despite this, the child was taken away from his safe mother and forced to live with his identified perpetrator. He has only been allowed to see his mother a few times with a therapist. The child's attorney did not represent the child's wishes. The mother has since died.
Part 1: http://www.elliscountyobserver.com/?p=35658
farris_barbara@yahoo.com
Posted in Behind The "News", Unreported News | 1 Response
One response to "California Courts: Pimping for Pedophiles?"
Intention, Destiny and the Cartoon Dance of the Temporal. | AnmolSite January 25, 2012 at 9:13 pm | Permalink

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Apple Arcade Launches September 19 With a "Hundred" Games, Price Revealed
The Cupertino giant is getting into gaming with the $4.99 Apple Arcade.
Eric Francisco
Apple wants to play, and it's doing it at just $4.99 a month. Set to launch in little over a week, Apple Arcade is the company's foray into gaming, repeating its earlier claim that a library of 100 games will be available at launch.
On Tuesday, Apple held a live-stream presentation inside the Steve Jobs Theater, part of its annual iPhone event. The presentation was the second look at Apple Arcade, a service that will have premium games with "console quality graphics" available through a single app. Besides the games, Apple Arcade will also have an editorial section that will include tips, tricks, previews, and reviews of new titles.
Apple Arcade will launch on September 19 in 150 countries. Unlimited access is priced at $4.99 per month, including a family plan.
Onstage, Apple also previewed three launch games, each from a major publisher: Konami (Frogger in Toy Town), Capcom (Shinsekai Into the Depths), and Annapurna Interactive (Sayonara Hearts). All three titles featured tap and swipe-centric mechanics that make for easy accessibility.
Frogger in Toy Town is a modern reboot of the Frogger arcade games, set in a Toy Story-esquire environment that includes a giant baby as an obstacle.
Frogger! Apple
Shinsenkai Into the Depths, a new Capcom title, is a deep-sea diving platformer where players have to navigate dangers in the oceanic depths. Capcom developers onstage revealed the the game's sound and music were recorded underwater to achieve authenticity.
Sayonara Hearts is a stylish music rhythm and racing game about a heartbroken young woman, who wields as word, on a quest to to "win back her heart." The game's demo showed seamless transitions between rhythmic music tapping (think Tap Tap Revenge) to high-speed racing.
More games will be added to the Apple Arcade library. At the presentation, Apple previewed the developers and publishers it's partnered with to produce content for the Apple Arcade. Notable partners include Devolver Digital, Cartoon Network, Lego, and Square Enix.
Apple's partnered developers for Apple Arcade featuring Ann Thai, senior product manager of the App Store, onstage at the 9/10 Apple presentation. Apple
Apple first introduced on March 25 Apple Arcade as part of a showcase for its new subscription businesses.
Apple wants to leverage the popularity of its free games to put users on to paid games. Instead of requiring users to pay $20 for a single app, Apple Arcade will give iOS gamers a selection of premium games for a monthly fee. This way game developers can get their work in front of more people without sacrificing quality.
"Competing with free is hard," said Ann Thai, senior product marketing manager of the App Store, in March. "We think we've come up with a great new way to bring these games to more people than ever before."
Additional reporting by Danny Paez.


Liv Winchester has avoided men since her ex left her. But wealthy consultant Stefano Lucarelli is stunned by this single mum. He takes her to the Snow Ball, giving her a designer dress, diamonds and a babysitter. Will this magical night convince her to be Stefano's bride?
The engagement was a fake, a desperate plan by Jasmine Cooper to pacify her dying father. Shameless flirt and financial whiz Adam Thorne saw an opportunity. Jasmine had once wounded his pride. So he'd accept his onetime lover's impulsive proposal and enjoy the heat of holiday passion.


text:
Tag Archives: Homage
Cinema-Maniac: Homicycle (2014) Review
February 17, 2016 Arsene_Lucifer Leave a comment
When determining what films to see, and review I welcome taking a "risk" once in awhile. By "risk" I mean going blind into a film that is not discuss in professional reviewing outlets, or among bloggers. What makes these "risks" satisfying is discovering a great film, and giving it exposure no matter the size of your contribution, or readership. Every review on an obscure title praising a good unknown anything will give it a better opportunity to grow. This is one aspect of the internet I embrace than no matter how I end up feeling about a finish product I get expose to all sorts of media I probably wouldn't have checked out my limited knowledge. Of course there are films like Homicycle that make me question if the word standards is like a myth to certain filmmakers. Sometime there are bad films I encourage seeing either for building standards, or to find entertainment in a way that wasn't intended. However, Homicycle is filled with so much deadweight I advise you not to see it to save your time on something better. As of this very moment, this is the worst film I've seen that has cycle in its titled. Yes, it's even worse than the time I saw I Bought A Vampire Motorcycle.
Homicycle is about the titled character who dispenses vigilante justice against a criminal organization. It sounds cool, but that didn't translate into a product that resembles entertainment, or even competency by bad filmmaking standards. For starter, the film quality of writing along the line of one of those kind of films that just has a single thin idea stretched out. In Homicycle, if we removed the filler material of the film than the actual meat of the film is 50 minutes long. With the filler, it's only 70 minutes, yet feels allot longer than it actually is. The film has little essence of substance even on a surface level as neither story, or characters are expanded on beyond the basics. Scenes just go into random scenes disconnected from any semblance of progress. I can't believe I'm saying this, but the film self aware tone is what kills the film. It knows the setup is right up a traditional 80s B movie throwing in a simple story, odd characters, and some occasionally awful dialogue. However, intentionally making a bad film does not translate into an unintentional comedy. Since it knows what kind of trashy film it is making it impossible to enjoy to enjoy from a so bad it's good perspective.
As for the actual story itself it's one of vengeance. The film never confirms the of identity of Homicycle, but the single clue the film gives to the audience leaves little to the imagination who it can be. A character connected to the vigilante spells it out to the viewers by saying his name. Removing any possible mysterious aura from him. Another aspect about Homicycle is the lack of confirmation of what exactly he is. In one scene, he punches through a guy guts in order to kill him, but within the same scene get beaten by a normal man. Then there's the fact the film suggests a character in the story, Eddie (Mac Dale), came back from the dead to seek vengeance. Having already explained the film doesn't go beyond the basics. What kind of force made him come back to life isn't surrounded by concrete material. If it was something supernatural it wouldn't fit since nothing otherworldly is mentioned in the film. However, it doesn't work the in the "realistic" vein either since it means Eddie survives a shot to the head at point blank, his wife buried him in her backyard, and been buried for who knows how long in better condition than he was alive. A film can't just assume it audience will accept anything at face value if they did nothing to earn that trust.
Public Service Announcement: Don't jerk
What follows Homicycle around is a string of bad jokes escalating to sheer boredom. It place randomly with toilet humor, or innuendos jokes. When jokes are used to pad out the running it's quite sad. Characters relationship don't go beyond the basics. You'll have to assume what archetype characters fall into. For instance, the villain of the film Brock (Peter Whittaker) is the best developed character in the film. He dresses up as a pirate, has odd fetishes, and is a criminal lord. That's it. Nothing about why he acts the way he does, dresses the way he does, or what his goals are is shown. Picture the rest of the film characters being less developed than Brock. Filling the screen with characters that just mesh with one another in a forgettable manner. Having no personality of any kind.
The filler material consist of a sleazy producer talking about how scary the film apparently is. This is your introduction into the film. So, this sleazy film producer claims the film is so scary there's sexy nurses are in the lobby ready to dispatch to help if the film causes you health problems. If I was watching this introduction in a film theater it makes since, but at home it simply tells me the filmmakers were to lazy to write the exact same scene simply changing two words to make it work when viewing it at home. Also, if you happened to die during the viewing of the film your family will immediately inherit 1 million dollars according to the sleazy producer. If that wasn't pointless than the film inclusion of a bikini contest certainly will be. Sometimes when filmmakers know they're losing their audience they'll throw in some sex appeal to keep viewers awake. This bikini contest adds nothing of value to the film. The contestants names are Candy, Mandy, Brandy, and Sandy. Why all the contestants have Andy in their names I can't tell you. Probably it was meant to be a joke, but that would be giving the film too much credit if I acknowledge it had any idea of what comedy is.
For the last time. I'm not a Vampire. They suck.
The biggest waste of time in the film, besides the whole thing, is an intermission with ads for concession food. Homicycle, if we're being generous, is 70 minutes long so an intermission is not needed. Besides being insulting that the filmmakers believe viewers can't sit through a 70 minute long movie. This intermission is also pointless. Another pointless addition in the film is a concert that you might have guessed by now adds nothing of value to the film. These filler moments of the film break pacing as it brings things to a sudden stop. Another point of filler are repeating two scenes. A flashback showing Eddie death is shown twice in the film. Though, the biggest middle finger is the film opening sequence when is the same scene used to end the film. No variation as it plays the same opening sequence in its entirety for its ending. So when taking it all in, the film went in circles, and accomplished nothing pass the starting point.
From a filmmaking point of view there's also no passion shown in its production. The most amount of effort put into the film was copying the grainy image of a 80s B movie, and duplicating shots from that era. However, the visuals don't improve the story, nor is able to hide the horrendous acting. Director Brett Kelly couldn't be bother fixing easy mistakes. One of them was showing an actor firing a nail gun, and no nail being visually shown coming out of the nail gun. He lingers on special effect shots too long you can see the hose where fake blood is coming out when a person's head is decapitated. Another trait of Brett Kelly is his sheer ability to add random things in post production. For instance, there's a shot that last for a few seconds, and in the background the sky is purple. No reason why, it's just there just because Brett Kelly can.
The one scene in the film that showcases Brett Kelly lack of understanding as a director is the film shootout in a warehouse. Brett Kelly made his fake gun muzzle effect, and fake splatter very noticeable in this sequence. The slow motion in the scene makes the poor special effect very noticeable. Apparently in the same scene, Kelly felt it was necessary to place render images of blood splatter in the background, yet whenever there's a cut the blood splatter that was in the background is longer there. So Brett Kelly went out of his way to ensure there these special effects are in the film, but didn't care enough to maintain continuity which defeats the purpose of adding special effects in the scene. He also forgets to place fake muzzle effects when a background actor is shown shooting at Homicycle. Another inconsistency are the CG bullets that come out of Homicycle automatic guns. Then for some reason Brett Kelly doesn't bother placing CG bullets coming out the guns even though the rest of sequence he had them there before. Within the same sequence, Brett Kelly forget to show certain goons getting killed on screen, and absolutely forgets bullet holes despite the fact he chose to add fake blood splatter in post production. Also, the goon despite not being obstructed by anything all missed shooting Homicycle. This is the worst shootout I've seen in a homage film.
The acting much like everything else is awful. Only actor Peter Whittaker is noteworthy because of his over the top performance, and fake eyebrows. He puts effort into his performance attempting to make badly written scene funny. However, he's unable to make jokes work because his co stars don't bother putting effort into their performance. Peter Whittaker isn't talented enough to make a joke work on his own. Brett Kelly not caring about producing anything of value spread to his actors which is why they phone it in. Special effects are cheap looking when they're lingered on too much, and every single practical effect is badly executed. Music is forgettable, and the cinematography while good visually duplicating 80s B movie imagery is enough to hide the many issues of the film. If anything, I want to spotlight Trevor Payer, Jennifer Mulligan, and David A. Lloyd who are all given writing credits. Between three minds they couldn't come with enough material to create a feature length film. That's embarrassing.
Homicycle is the worst kind of film that doesn't offer anything worth of value. When negatively dissecting the film, the self aware tone tells you the filmmakers made an intentionally bad movie so there's not much to learn from it. There's not much to dissect either as it's dead air through it 70 minutes run, and 20 of those minutes are filler material that could have been out. In the end, you're left with a film that is worthless. If the filmmakers didn't put any effort to create a film of any value viewers shouldn't put any effort themselves in seeing this garbage either.
0/10B MovieBrett KellyDavid A. LloydHomageJennifer MulliganMac DaleMovie ReviewsPeter WhittakerTrevor Payer


Last Wednesday I was hopping around (as I do) and checking out everyone's WWW lists. I commented that Lili's art from LilisBlissfulPages was so beautiful and she generously said I could use it. So I give you today's WWW Wednesday complete with this cutie! Some day I will figure out how to create my own graphics but until that day I really appreciate the generosity of my fellow book bloggers.
So, you all know the drill but in case you do not, WWW Wednesday is a meme hosted by Sam at Taking on a World of Words. In it, you answer three questions: What did you just finish reading? What are you currently reading? and What do you think you will read next? Almost everyone else follows directions as to the order but I just have to be chronological.
The Witch Boy and Pashmina were both for my Sunday Morning Comics. They also helped me check off a couple of to-dos on my 2018 Challenges. I really appreciate that the challenges are helping me select some books that I may not have instinctively chosen.
The Watchmaker of Filigree Street I completed just yesterday. Sigh. You can read my full review here but in case you don't have time – I loved it.
I am almost finished with Fahrenheit 451. I am already gasping to discuss it with someone so, please, let me know if this is a book you have read and any thoughts you have about the story. I expect the review to be done sometime this week.
I started Iron Gold by Pierce Brown last night. I have been anticipated reading Iron Gold for months because I love the world of the Red Rising series. Anticipated reads always make me nervous because there is danger in building a book up too much in your mind. Still, Brown's books have never let me down before so, fingers crossed!
I have The Book of Joy cued up on my next-to-read pile. The cover alone makes me happy. I think I will need the uplifting message during this long cold February.
There we have it! I cannot wait to see everyone else's list. Feel free to leave comments on your books below or a link to your WWW. And, make sure and head over to Taking on a World of Words to check out everyone else's lists.
This week and the next one promises to be extra busy but I look forward all week to my Sunday Morning Comics and a whole pot of coffee to give either up. Sadly, this week I only managed to read two but at least they were both fabulous.
The Witch Boy by Molly Knox Ostertag I picked up for the cover. That's right, I judged the book on its cover. I feel that this is permissible when you are giving a book the benefit of the doubt rather than using the cover to rejecting a whole story. The Witch Boy did not disappoint. It is the story of a community of magical families. The males are all shape shifters and the women are all witches. Aster is thrilled by the idea of spells and become a witch. However, Aster is a boy and so this kind of major is forbidden to him. I appreciated the fact that this was a boy wanted to perform a "traditional female" role and how his people dealt with this conundrum.
I vastly enjoyed both of these graphic novels. However, as I am new to the medium I keep making what I am coming to find is a beginners mistake – I read them too quickly. To really enjoy both of these books (and so many graphic novels) you have to absorb the message the art is giving you as well as the words. And, both of these wonderful stories deserve me taking the time to enjoy them properly. So, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to make another pot of coffee and read them both again.
Do you enjoy graphic novels or comic books? If you have any recommendations, feel free to leave them below or link to your own site!
El Deafo, Ms. Marvel – No Normal, and Nimona were all for my Sunday Morning Comics series and they were quick and fun. A delightful start to my week! I finished Every Day by David Levihthan. I also wrapped up Wonder Woman Warbringer by Leigh Bardugo and I loved it. You can check out my rave review here. I had to give 1066 back to my library and it, sadly, went back on my to-be-read list. Ah well!
I am still working on The Watchmaker of Filigree Street by Natasha Pulley and Fahrenheit 451. I am more than halfway through Fahrenheit but I am only a few chapters into The Watchmaker.
The only books I know for certain I am putting into my immediate to-read pile is The Book of Joy by the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu and Iron Gold by Pierce Brown. The Book of Joy has been on my physical TBR shelf for a while and I am excited to finally read it. And, I preordered Iron Gold last year to prethwart my 2018 book buying ban because I was just that excited to read it. Also, a bit devious because I basically broke my book buying ban before it began. But, I think of it like eating three donuts the night before you start working out. It happens.
So, what's on your WWW list? Have you read any of the books on my list?
Please, leave a link or names in the comments and make sure and check out all of the other WWW lists on Sam's site!
I will be honest, as a kid I was never a fan of Wonder Woman. Before the fabulous Gal Gadot, the different variations of Diana Prince were underwhelming for me. She had so many things going for her but I was really stuck on the cleavage bearing outfit and the invisible plane. Both made me embarrassed on her behalf.
And then Gal Gadot made me believe.
So, when I heard there was a book written about Diana Prince's early years and experiences (holy origin story, my favorite!) I had to check it out.
Diana is growing up surrounding by battle tested Amazonian sisters. More than anything, she wishes to prove herself. When she saves a mortal she brings peril to her home, her sisters and perhaps the world because the mortal she has saved is Alia Keralis – a Warbringer. Now, Alia and Diana must work together to save both of their worlds.
I loved everything about this book. Clearly, I love a good origin story and Bardugo delivers in spades. Also, I am a fan of any book with a beautiful cast of characters. Alia's best friend Nim has my heart forever and ever and I rooted for their friend Theo like he belonged to me. Bardugo also mentions a number of myths and stories that I enjoyed long ago and some that I was unfamiliar with but intrigued by all the same that gave the story an unexpected depth.
But the shifting perspectives of Alia and Diana were what made this story really come alive. The seamless flipping back and forth not only gave me insight into Diana's thoughts and fears but being able to see her through Alia's eyes made the character so real to me in a way that Wonder Woman never has been before. And, by weaving their narrative perspectives together Bardugo brought me right to the center of the action and I loved every minute of it.
Are you a Wonder Woman fan? Have you read Warbringer? I'd love to know!
Happy Sunday Morning! This morning my cup of coffee and I were joined by some powerful ladies.
Nimona by Noella Stevenson was my first graphic novel. Immediately I was drawn into the whole twist on the superhero / villian story featuring Nimona, the shapeshifting young wanna-be-villan, trying to find her mentor. Before Nimona I struggled to embrace the graphic novel platform. I had trouble with the set up. I blame adulthood. I had grown unaccustomed to the art. But Nimona worked for me and it was like a magic key into the wonderful world of graphic novels. I received a copy for Christmas this year and I just had to give it a re-read. It is my go-to recommendation for anyone interested in getting into graphic novels and it was even better the second (or fourth) time.
Ms. Marvel Volume 1, No Normal by Wilson and Alphona came highly recommended and did not disappoint! After reading Awkward I have become hyper-aware of the fact that Superheroes are just big 'ol awkward people flying through the world. Also, I am a sucker for origin stories. I think its because I just assume I'm in the middle of mine right now and when I get my superpowers this party is really going to start. I enjoyed a peek at Kamala Kahn's regular pre-powers life with all her awkward feels but the highlight for me was the awesome depiction of Captain America. Kamala figuring our her powers and place in the world is a ride I cannot wait to continue.
El Deafo by Cece Bell is a elementary level grade book about Cece's experiences with hearing loss at a young age. While some of the technology and terminology is clearly from Cece's youth in the 70's, her story is timeless. Kids struggle through so many things but having an accessible graphic novel that really illuminates this point is priceless. And, of course, I love how Cece turns her difference into her superpower.
Welcome to WWW Wednesday! This meme was formerly hosted by MizB at A Daily Rhythm and revived by Sam at Taking on a World of Words. Just answer the three questions below and leave a link to your post in the comments for others to look at. You can also see what others are reading and check out many more on Sam's site.
Lockwood & Co. The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud and Awkward, The Science of Why We're Socially Awkward and Why That's Awesome by Ty Tashiro were both books I had on my list to be read from my last WWW. Lockwood is a fantastic middle grade book about kids who fight ghosts and it was terrifically scary. It was set in an alternative historical London and I loved, absolutely adored one of the characters, George. I am looking forward to reading the next in the series.
I reviewed Awkward for my latest Non-Fiction Friday. This book has really stuck with me and I keep talking to people about it and recommending it over and over again. This is what I love about non-fiction, the good ones are just epiphanies on paper.
When Dimple met Rishi by Sandhya Menon was a library e-book I borrowed in the middle of the night when spooky Lockwood kept me from sleeping. This is a sweet romance story about how differently our familial traditions can affect our perceptions of the world. I enjoyed this book for the fairly innocent romance but I will recommend it because of the delightful look at the Indian traditions.
I have lost my mind. Seriously. I am studying like crazy and I cannot seem to find a book I don't adore. So, I have them stashed everywhere which is why my list is a bit long right now.
I started with the best of intentions with 1066 What Fates Impose and The Watchmaker of Filigree Street because they were both on my to be read shelf and would fulfill some of my "When Are You Reading?" challenge slots. But, you want to know the problem with adult fiction? It is slow to get into. I am sure that these books will be well worth my attention but my brain is everywhere right now. So, I started listening to Fahrenheit 451 on my drives and alternating reading Every Day and Warbringer. Ms. Marvel is the graphic novel I read while I wait for my coffee to brew. See? I have books everywhere.
Let's be honest here. Your guess is as good as mine. I need to add back more non-fiction for Non-Fiction Friday and I am relishing my graphic novels for my new Sunday Morning Cartoons so any recommendations are appreciated!
I loved the Sunday morning comics in the newspaper. But, all of my favorites have slowly but surely disappeared. Still, I miss sitting on Sunday mornings absorbed in the art and story of a nice comic.
I realize I could get an app on my phone and read comics from all over the world but it is just not the same. So, I have decided to start a Sunday Morning Comics tradition with graphic novels. I'll let you know what I enjoyed and if you are looking to get into graphic novels you can join me. If you have any recommendations or you want to link up, please do!
I had Victoria Jamieson's graphic novels on my to be read list for a while now. Her Roller Girl garnered her a Newberry Honor and it was well deserved. The main character, Astrid's, journey to self-discovery has to be done, for the first time, without the aid of her best friend. And, in finding out more about herself she learns how to be a better friend.
This theme was also present in All's Faire in Middle School also by Victoria Jamieson but I just loved this story and the characters so much that I had to read it twice. Imogene has been homeschooled her whole life until middle school. Her family works at the Renaissance Faire and she aspires to be a squire to her Dad, the knight. But, "Its not easy being brave and honorable knight in the complicated world of middle school." I appreciated this message of how difficult being kind is in middle school through the eyes of Imogene far more than anything I found in Wonder.
When I ran out of Victoria Jamieson I turned to a book recommended to me by an eight year old, Dream Jumper by Greg Grunberg & Lucas Turnbloom. This was a sweet story and I am looking forward to the other stories. Since this was the first book there was a lot of back story and set up but I liked the main character and I am extremely curious so many story threads left untied.
So there we have it. The new Sunday Morning Comic review! Next week, I'll try to have it published actually in the morning!
I am awkward. I don't mean to be and I certainly don't want to be, but I am. One of the worst things I do is talk to much. If I'm in a situation where I don't want to be or I'm nervous I…blather. I will also talk too much when I am excited about a subject matter. And I have a lot of things that excite me. Then, I get home and I re-imagine the whole thing and I physically cringe. For days. I have developed mechanisms and mantras to try and control it but, sometimes, I just cannot. It is one of my many, but most certainly my most obvious awkward feature.
So, when I saw Awkward, The Science of Why We're Socially Awkward and Why That's Awesome by Ty Tashiro I had to read it. In the book the author covers many of his own awkward tendencies and the awkward mannerisms of some his friends. And he explains, for some people, why these awkward tendencies happen. And, more importantly, why some people are just more awkward than others.
I think the thing I have most in common with the author is my intense self-reflection. I have had a running commentary happening in my mind my whole life. I wonder about all kinds of things about myself and other people all of the time. And, many times, without asking for guidance I have tried to be less socially awkward only to fail miserably. Truthfully, as the book explains, while I was wondering about things I was probably missing the social information people were giving me. For those that don't know what awkward feel like, the author's was able to recall and willing to share his own personal awkward shameful moments to help the reader understand.
And, as the author points out several times throughout the book, being awkward has its rewards. Many (but not all!) awkward people are gifted individuals driven in their field. For me, my awkwardness and lack of social success has given me loads of time to read and study and take on a ridiculous number of hobbies. While I don't consider myself an introvert, I would probably always rather stay home and work on something that interests me than meet up with friend. And, when I do meet up with friends I know I need to take a minute before I walk into a social situation to try and stay calm to avoid talking too much.
That is where the book really shines. Unlike many books about subsections of our society, the author clearly states that while being awkward can be seen in a positive light, awkwardness is not an excuse for anti-social or abnormal behavior. You can embrace the awesomeness of your awkward personality up to the point that it inhibits your ability to be part of society.
If you are awkward or you know someone who is awkward or you work with awkward children, this book is a revelation.
I actually listened to Flora and Ulysses as an audiobook and while I enjoyed the book tremendously, the narrator was hard for me to listen to for long periods of time. I did so love the characters though.
The Royal Wedding was cute and enjoyable. The third book in the trilogy is due out in 2018 but I will have to get through my physical TBR before I will be able to lift the book buying ban and get myself a copy!
The True Confessions of Charlotte Doyle was my favorite of last week and you can read my review here. Technically, it is the only book I have read on the 2018 calendar, the rest I completed in December.
The Dream Thieves is book two of four in the Raven Boys Books. I really liked this book as it featured one of my favorite characters and I hope to review them as a collection later this year.
Lockwood & Co. is a book that I (embarrassingly) purchased as a physical book and on my Kindle. Hence the book buying ban! When you have so many books you don't even remember what you own, something needs to change.
My local library was kind enough to let me keep Awkward for a few more weeks and I am tearing though it. I find so much of it fascinating!
The only book I know for sure I would like to read next is The Book of Joy by the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu. I have it on my shelf and just the cover brings me happiness. I cannot wait to see what wisdom these two have to share.
And there we have it! My WWW Wednesday for January 3, 2017 2018. That is going to take me until March to get right! Tell me, please, what's on your WWW list?


text:
package pennapps2014f.posch;

import android.content.Context;
import android.content.Intent;
import android.content.SharedPreferences;
import android.content.res.Configuration;
import android.os.Bundle;
import android.preference.PreferenceManager;
import android.support.v4.app.ActionBarDrawerToggle;
import android.support.v4.app.FragmentManager;
import android.support.v4.widget.DrawerLayout;
import android.view.Gravity;
import android.view.Menu;
import android.view.MenuItem;
import android.view.View;
import android.widget.AdapterView;
import android.widget.ListView;
import android.widget.TextView;
import android.widget.Toast;
import android.util.Log;

import com.facebook.UiLifecycleHelper;
import com.facebook.widget.FacebookDialog;
import com.roomorama.caldroid.CaldroidFragment;

import java.util.Date;
import java.text.DateFormat;
import java.text.SimpleDateFormat;
import java.util.ArrayList;
import java.util.Calendar;
import java.util.GregorianCalendar;

public class MainActivity extends android.support.v4.app.FragmentActivity {
    // Calendar fragment
    public static HomeFragment homeFragment;
    public static ProgressFragment progressFragment;

    // Date completion storage
    public static SharedPreferences dateStorage;
    public static SharedPreferences.Editor dateEditor;

    // Drawer stuff
    private DrawerLayout drawerLayout;
    private ActionBarDrawerToggle drawerToggle;
    private ListView drawerList;
    private ArrayList<String> drawerListItems;
    private DrawerListAdapter drawerListAdapter;

    // Challenge maintenance
    public static Context applicationContext;
    public static SharedPreferences storage; // App storage
    public static SharedPreferences.Editor editor; // App storage editor

    // Facebook
    private UiLifecycleHelper uiHelper;

    @Override
    protected void onCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
        super.onCreate(savedInstanceState);
        setContentView(R.layout.drawer_frame_layout);

        homeFragment = new HomeFragment();
        progressFragment = new ProgressFragment();

        applicationContext = getApplicationContext();

        dateStorage = getSharedPreferences("DatePrefs", Context.MODE_PRIVATE);
        dateEditor = dateStorage.edit();
        storage = PreferenceManager.getDefaultSharedPreferences(applicationContext);
        editor = storage.edit();

        uiHelper = new UiLifecycleHelper(this, null);
        uiHelper.onCreate(savedInstanceState);

        drawerLayout = (DrawerLayout) findViewById(R.id.drawerLayout);
        drawerToggle = new ActionBarDrawerToggle(
                this,
                drawerLayout,
                R.drawable.ic_drawer,
                R.string.app_name,
                R.string.app_name
        ) {
            public void onDrawerClosed(View view) {
                super.onDrawerClosed(view);
                invalidateOptionsMenu();
            }

            public void onDrawerOpened(View drawerView) {
                super.onDrawerOpened(drawerView);
                invalidateOptionsMenu();
            }
        };

        drawerList = (ListView) findViewById(R.id.drawerList);
        drawerListItems = new ArrayList<String>();
        drawerListItems.add("Home");
        drawerListItems.add("My Progress");
        drawerListAdapter = new DrawerListAdapter(getApplicationContext(), drawerListItems);
        drawerList.setAdapter(drawerListAdapter);
        drawerList.setOnItemClickListener(new DrawerItemClickListener());
        drawerLayout.setDrawerListener(drawerToggle);

        getActionBar().setDisplayHomeAsUpEnabled(true);
        getActionBar().setHomeButtonEnabled(true);
        getActionBar().setDisplayShowHomeEnabled(true);

        getSupportFragmentManager().beginTransaction().replace(R.id.fragmentContainer, homeFragment).commit();

        // Midnight tonight
        Calendar calEnd = new GregorianCalendar();
        calEnd.setTime(new Date());
        calEnd.set(Calendar.DAY_OF_YEAR, calEnd.get(Calendar.DAY_OF_YEAR)+1);
        calEnd.set(Calendar.HOUR_OF_DAY, 0);
        calEnd.set(Calendar.MINUTE, 0);
        calEnd.set(Calendar.SECOND, 0);
        calEnd.set(Calendar.MILLISECOND, 0);

        DateFormat dateFormat = new SimpleDateFormat("yyyyMMdd");
        int midnightTonight = Integer.parseInt(dateFormat.format(calEnd.getTime()).toString());
        Log.d("loggy", "Midnight: " + Integer.toString(midnightTonight));

        editor.putInt("midnight", midnightTonight);
        editor.commit();
    }

    @Override
    public boolean onCreateOptionsMenu(Menu menu) {
        // Inflate the menu; this adds items to the action bar if it is present.
        getMenuInflater().inflate(R.menu.main, menu);
        return true;
    }

    @Override
    public boolean onOptionsItemSelected(MenuItem item) {
        // Handle action bar item clicks here. The action bar will
        // automatically handle clicks on the Home/Up button, so long
        // as you specify a parent activity in AndroidManifest.xml.
        int id = item.getItemId();
        if(drawerToggle.onOptionsItemSelected(item)) {
            return true;
        }
        if (id == R.id.action_settings) {
            return true;
        }
        return super.onOptionsItemSelected(item);
    }

    @Override
    public boolean onPrepareOptionsMenu(Menu menu) {
        MenuItem item = menu.findItem(R.id.action_settings);
        item.setVisible(false);
        super.onPrepareOptionsMenu(menu);
        return false;
    }

    @Override
    protected void onPostCreate(Bundle savedInstanceState) {
        super.onPostCreate(savedInstanceState);
        drawerToggle.syncState();
    }

    @Override
    public void onConfigurationChanged(Configuration config) {
        super.onConfigurationChanged(config);
        drawerToggle.onConfigurationChanged(config);
    }

    @Override
    protected void onResume(){
        super.onResume();
        uiHelper.onResume();

        Calendar cal = new GregorianCalendar();
        DateFormat dateFormat = new SimpleDateFormat("yyyyMMdd");
        int currTime = Integer.parseInt(dateFormat.format(cal.getTime()).toString());
        Log.d("loggy", "Current Time: " + currTime);

        if (currTime >= storage.getInt("midnight", 999999999)){
            if (!MainActivity.storage.getBoolean("challengeFinished", false)) {
                DateFormat format = new SimpleDateFormat("yyyy-MM-dd");

                cal.add(Calendar.DATE, -1);
                dateEditor.putString(format.format(cal.getTime()), "incomplete");
                MainActivity.progressFragment.setDateIncomplete(cal.getTime());
            }

            editor.putBoolean("newDay", true); // If the app is opened on a new day
            editor.putBoolean("challengeFinished", false); // If the challenge is finished or not
            editor.putBoolean("challengeSkipped", false); // If a challenge was skipped or not
            editor.putBoolean("challengeFinishText", false); // Text that appears when a challenge is finished
            editor.putBoolean("buttonVisibility", true); // Whether or not the finish challenge button is visible
            editor.putBoolean("shareButtonVisibility", false);
            editor.putString("currentChallenge", "N/A"); // Challenge of the day
            editor.putString("currentColor", "N/A"); // Color of the day
            editor.commit();
        }
    }

    @Override
    public void onPause() {
        super.onPause();
        uiHelper.onPause();
    }

    @Override
    protected void onStop() {
        super.onStop();
        editor.commit();
        dateEditor.commit();
    }

    @Override
    public void onDestroy() {
        super.onDestroy();
        uiHelper.onDestroy();
    }

    @Override
    public void onBackPressed() {
        if(drawerLayout.isDrawerOpen(Gravity.LEFT)) {
            drawerLayout.closeDrawer(Gravity.LEFT);
        } else{
            super.onBackPressed();
        }
    }

    @Override
    public void onActivityResult(int requestCode, int resultCode, Intent intent) {
        super.onActivityResult(requestCode, resultCode, intent);

        uiHelper.onActivityResult(requestCode, resultCode, intent, new FacebookDialog.Callback() {
            @Override
            public void onComplete(FacebookDialog.PendingCall pendingCall, Bundle data) {
                Log.i("FacebookAuth", "Success");
            }

            @Override
            public void onError(FacebookDialog.PendingCall pendingCall, Exception error, Bundle data) {
                Log.e("FacebookAuth", error.toString());
            }
        });
    }

    public void completeChallenge(View v) {
        if (!storage.getBoolean("challengeFinished", false)) {
            DateFormat dateFormat = new SimpleDateFormat("yyyy-MM-dd");
            Date today = new Date(System.currentTimeMillis());

            dateEditor.putString(dateFormat.format(today), "complete");
            progressFragment.setDateComplete(today);
            Toast.makeText(this, "You're awesome, keep up the positivity.", Toast.LENGTH_LONG).show();

            // Hide button and show text
            View buttonView = findViewById(R.id.button1);
            buttonView.setVisibility(View.INVISIBLE);
            findViewById(R.id.shareChallengeButton).setVisibility(View.VISIBLE);
            TextView textView = (TextView) findViewById(R.id.textView2);
            textView.setText("Nice, you've completed your challenge for today.");

            editor.putBoolean("buttonVisibility", false);
            editor.putBoolean("shareButtonVisibility", true);
            editor.putBoolean("challengeFinishText", true);
            editor.putBoolean("challengeFinished", true);
            editor.commit();
        }
    }

    public void shareToFacebook(View v) {
        if (FacebookDialog.canPresentShareDialog(getApplicationContext(), FacebookDialog.ShareDialogFeature.SHARE_DIALOG)) {
            String currentChallenge = storage.getString("currentChallenge", "N/A");

            if(!currentChallenge.equals("N/A")) {
                // Publish the post using the Share Dialog
                FacebookDialog shareDialog = new FacebookDialog.ShareDialogBuilder(this)
                        .setApplicationName("Posch")
                        .setName("Posch")
                        .setDescription("I just completed a challenge on Posch! I challenged myself by " + currentChallenge)
                        .setLink("https://github.com/churichard/Posch")
                        .build();
                uiHelper.trackPendingDialogCall(shareDialog.present());
            } else {
                // Publish the post using the Share Dialog
                FacebookDialog shareDialog = new FacebookDialog.ShareDialogBuilder(this)
                        .setApplicationName("Posch")
                        .setName("Posch")
                        .setDescription("I just completed a challenge on Posch!")
                        .build();
                uiHelper.trackPendingDialogCall(shareDialog.present());
            }

        } else {
            Toast.makeText(this, "Facebook app isn't installed on your phone", Toast.LENGTH_LONG).show();
        }
    }

    private class DrawerItemClickListener implements ListView.OnItemClickListener {
        @Override
        public void onItemClick(AdapterView<?> parent, View view, int position, long id) {
            displayView(position);
        }

        private void displayView(int position) {
            android.support.v4.app.FragmentTransaction transaction = getSupportFragmentManager().beginTransaction();

            switch(position) {
                case 0:
                    getSupportFragmentManager().popBackStack("progress", FragmentManager.POP_BACK_STACK_INCLUSIVE);
                    transaction.replace(R.id.fragmentContainer, homeFragment).commit();
                    break;
                case 1:
                    Bundle args = new Bundle();
                    Calendar cal = Calendar.getInstance();
                    args.putInt(CaldroidFragment.MONTH, cal.get(Calendar.MONTH) + 1);
                    args.putInt(CaldroidFragment.YEAR, cal.get(Calendar.YEAR));
                    if(progressFragment.getArguments() == null) {
                        progressFragment.setArguments(args);
                    }

                    transaction.replace(R.id.fragmentContainer, progressFragment);
                    transaction.addToBackStack("progress");
                    transaction.commit();
                    break;
                default:
                    break;
            }
            drawerLayout.closeDrawers();
        }
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
For bookings & enquiries call us on 0800 7555385
Popular Places...
Cycling Holidays...
For History and Culture
For Rail Fans
For Sun, sea and sand
For Wine Lovers
For Castles, Chateaux and Palaces
For Great Cities
For Lakes & Mountains
For Prosecco Lovers
For Rural Routes
Search for destinations and activities...
Search CALL US
For Culture Vultures
For Castles, Chateuxs and Palaces
For Lakes, Rivers & Canals
Amsterdam to Paris
Cycling Holidays - Amsterdam to Paris
From £1,239 P/P
A dream bike ride through Europe, from the canals of Amsterdam to the Eiffel Tower of Paris.
Two of Europe's great capitals, packed with world-famous buildings and museums are the start and the finish points of this journey through 3 countries.
In between famous and beautiful towns like Gouda, Antwerp and Ghent you will be cycling through a varied landscape. You will experience great cycling in the European cycling pardise of Holland with water, windmills and perfect cyclepaths.
Medieval cities and villages in Belgium with great food, beer and chocolate.
And then of course northern France with it's spectrum of food and wine from stretches of lush countryside.
Towards the end of the route wonderful nature meets fascinating towns when cycling towards the 'piece de resistance' - Paris "The City of Lights".
Make an Enquiry Book this Holiday
E-Bikes Available
Freewheel Feeling
Day 1: Arrival in Amsterdam
Your cycling holiday starts in Amsterdam, one of the crown-jewels of Europe.With so much to see and do, you couldn't wish for a more vibrant way to kick off your holiday. If you arrive early, make sure to explore the hostoric city centre and marvel at the townhouses in the 17th-century canal district. Navigate the canals by boat or relax and enjoy the street performers on Rembrandtplein.
Day 2: Amsterdam - Gouda (80 km)
The first leg of the route takes you through the Green Heart of Holland, abounding in waterways.
This is a true cycling paradise, with characteristic peat and polder landscapes, small farming communities and picturesque historical towns such as Oudewater. It was to this place that women who had been accused of witchcraft fled from all over Europe to try to have their innocence proven by weighing.
End the day in medieval Gouda. Amble through the beautifully preserved town centre and visit the old town hall and St. John's church. Stop off at a bakery to buy fresh syrup waffles (Gouda is the hometown of syrup waffles) and Gouda cheese - perhaps the world's most famous type of cheese.
Day 3: Gouda - Breda (79 km)
Today's highlight is one of the Netherlands' most popular tourist attractions: Kinderdijk, a world-famous complex of windmills. Nineteen historical windmills reach to the skies in the epitome of classical Dutch countryside. You can visit an authentic workshop and find out how these mills were built and how they work. Have you always secretly harboured the desire to be a miller? This is where you can still learn the trade!
You will then cycle on through Dordrecht, one of the Netherlands' oldest towns. A visit to the scenic harbour quarter with its wonderful historical buildings should not be missed. The route will take you right past one of the few remaining fresh-water tidal areas in Europe: Biesbosch National Park.
Upon crossing a one-kilometre-long bridge high above Hollands Diep river, you will find yourself in the south of the Netherlands. In village after village, Brabant hospitality will entice you to stop for a cup of coffee and big slice of fruit tart. Today's destination is Breda.
Day 4: Breda - Antwerp (74 km)
Breda is it the main city of Nassau in Holland, boasting many imposing monuments. The ancestors of the Dutch royal family converted Breda into a beautiful city with richly decorated buildings.
The landscape along today's cycling route is predominantly woody. On the border between the Netherlands and Belgium, catch your breath in De Zoom - Kalmthoutse Heide, a lovely cross-border nature reserve.
The route takes you right into the historical and touristic heart of Antwerp. It's the largest town in Flanders and Belgium's most important port city. After viewing the historical town center you might like to venture to the hip and trendy parts of the city: 't Zuid and Het Eilandje. Have you worked up a thirst for Belgian beer? Consider visiting De Koninck beer brewery. It has been going strong since 1833 and has a new visitors centre welcoming guests wishing to look around and do some tasting. This brewery is best known for its 'Bollekes'.
Day 5: Antwerp - Ghent (78 km)
Cycling South, along the banks of the Scheldt you will start on the LF2 Cities Cycle Route, switching to the LF5 you head towards Dendermonde and Ghent. The bushes and polders show the wild and pure nature here.
At the end of the day the sparkling cultural city of Ghent is waiting for you. The Belgians call Ghent their most beautiful city and the old medieval city will undoubtedly charm you.
Day 6: Ghent - Tournai (72 km)
The river Scheldt is still your guide as you cycle to the old town of Oudenaarde (AD 974). This town is also the centre of the famous classic cycle race "Ronde van Vlaanderen" and today you will be following some of the famous cobbled routes of professional cycling.
The former towing paths along the banks have been transformed to smooth cycle paths, so now and then leafy and then through the open fields of Flanders.
Further along the route do stop off for a coffee and try one of the most famous Belgian local products, "Geraardsbergse mattentaart", a rare custard pastry with an ancient history of making.
Directly after Kluisbergen you leave Flanders and you will enter the province of Wallonia with just 20 km to go to Tournai.
Day 7: Tournai - Cambrai (65 km)
While leaving the 5 bell-towers of Tournai behind you, ride the last on the Belgian cycle path along the Scheldt, before arriving in France. This day offers a pleasant ride through to the Parc Naturel Régional Scarpe-Escaut, the first French regional park. Here, Belgium and France link with the barges on Escaut river, between lands and waters where you pedal through to the forests, marshes and ponds populated with various species. You will discover the mining villages classified by UNESCO, the agricultural landscapes, but also the beautiful city of Saint-Amand-les-Eaux, thermal station, near Valenciennes.
Passing through typical villages and hamlets, you reach the town of Cambrai, peaceful city of Art and History. Take advantage of it to discover its streets, where half-timbered houses, rich private mansions, Flemish mansions mingle with pleasure. And don't leave without having tasted the famous "Bétises de Cambrai" or other local specialties!
Day 8: Cambrai - Saint-Quentin (50 km)
Today, you leave Cambrai by lodging the Canal de Saint-Quentin (inaugurated in 1810 by the Emperor Napoleon 1st), discover the Haute Vallée de l'Escaut. Here is a jewel: the abbey of Vaucelles (XII century). As it is presented to you today, the abbey remains an unusual construction both in its dimensions and the quality of its restoration. A few pedaling strokes and you pass the sources of l'Escaut, the famous river that you follow for kilometers and whose course flows into the North Sea in Netherlands.
Continue on towards the Touage Museum, this route takes you through small hilly roads between villages devoted to agriculture and memorial sites of the Great War: cemeteries, memorials and vestiges of the Hindenburg line. Find the canal and its cycle path to finally reach Saint Quentin. Discover its streets with Art Deco houses, the details of which deserve to be spotted. It is the style adopted during the rebuilding of the city, which was hardly destroyed during the Great War and once again became a dynamic city, the economic capital of Haute Picardie.
Day 9: Saint-Quentin - Compiègne (77 km)
On the way to Compiegne, through the fertile valley of the Oise. The itinerary takes again the cycle path of the canals, to the discovery of Chauny. You cross vast natural areas with more than 200 species of birds. Continue towards Noyon, the route continues along the canal. Noyon is listed as a city of Art and History: medieval atmosphere around the cathedral which saw the coronation of Hugues Capet in 987. Then return to the shared tracks where a stop at the abbey of Ourscamp is recommended.
A large town bordering the forest, a palace opening towards wooded immensities, these are the first impressions that Compiègne leaves. The city, furrowed by charming and shopping streets, has museums with varied collections.
Day 10: Compiègne - Chantilly/Senlis (65 km)
Your journey starts in the forest of Compiègne and then goes up the Automne river which gave its name to this valley, called the 35 bell-towers. You pass close to Béthisy-Saint-Pierre which is worth a detour. To finally cross the "plateau" of Nery but the slope is soft ! You cross the forest of Halatte before reaching the charming medieval town of Senlis. An ancient foundation, a royal residence during the Middle Ages, the city preserves its rich history and has several museums. Its protected environment of 40 ha is particularly appreciated by filmmakers. And finally, you reach Chantilly, world renown for its castle (sometimes compared to a castle of the Loire), its Great Stables, its porcelain, its lace and its gastronomy (yes the famous cream Chantilly would have been invented here).
Day 11: Chantilly/Senlis - Paris (65 km)
Last day by bike before arriving in the City of Light, the culmination of your journey!
Leave Senlis and cycle in the forest for an itinerary in the heart of nature. No crossing of village to the doors of the region "Ile de France": guaranteed change of scenery with these great pines and this sandy soil you will be able to believe you are in the Landes, south west of France!
From Gressy to Paris, the route follows the nice cycle track of the Canal de l'Ourcq, a rural setting on the last 30 kilometers for a safe entrance into Paris, far from cars! Crossing the capital along the Canal de l'Ourcq and Canal Saint-Martin really allows us to dive into a history book, an open-air museum.
Day 12: Breakfast in Paris
End of your trip after breakfast. However, we definitely advise you to extend your stay in order to take the time to explore the wonderful city of Paris.
Route Overview
Route Map (For guidance only)
Routes maybe subject to change or alteration. All route notes, maps and day-by-day information will be given to you upon arrival at the first hotel or at the welcome meeting. GPS/GPX Files are available for most our the cycling holidays we offer. Please ask us for details.
Starting point of the cycling holiday: Amsterdam
We recommend flying to Amsterdam Schiphol airport to reach the starting point of this cycling holiday.
Arrival by car: Take the A10 / Berliner Ring - Birkenwerder exit - continue on the B96 north about 4 km to Oranienburg, after the town sign at the first traffic light, turn right in the direction of Bernau to Saarlandstraße, which goes into André-Pican-Straße and leads to Stadthotel Oranienburg.
Parking: A sufficient amount of free parking is available at the hotel (no guarantees, no reservation).
Arrival by plane: (airport): • Berlin-Tegel (about 20 km away) • Berlin-Schönefeld (about 80 km away)
Arrival by train: You can get to the Oranienburg station with the S1 as well as regional trains RE5 and RE12. From the station square, follow Stralsunder Straße for about 500 m, then go left on Dr.-Heinrich-Byk-Straße, after about 300 m, turn left on André-Pican-Straße and after 250 m, you will find Stadthotel Oranienburg on the left-hand side.
Arrival by car: Take the A10 (northern Berliner Ring) or the B96 north. At the Birkenwerder junction, the two roads intersect. Continue on the B96 in the direction of Oranienburg. At the end of the town, follow the federal road for about 3 km and turn right on Erich-Mühsam-Strasse (vis-a-vis the police station). At the end of the road, turn on Albert-Buchmann-Straße and you will reach Hotel An Der Havel in about 250 meters.
Parking: Hotel parking for €1.00 per day (subject to changes, no reservation, payable on-site).
Arrival by train: To get to Oranienburg station, take the S1 or regional trains RE5 and RE12. From the square in front of the station, follow Willi-Brandt-Straße and then cross Luise-Henrietten-Steg. You will reach Hotel An der Havel after walking for about 8-10 minutes.
Flights are available with a number of airlines to your required airport or you can travel to the start using alternative methods such as rail or road.
We recommend using Skyscanner to find the best flight prices by date or Voyages SNCF for European rail travel. There is customer car parking available at most hotels for a supplement. Please contact us for more details.
Please use local transport to arrive at the starting point or call us on 0800 755 5385 for more specific travel advice.
You do not need to go back to the starting point of the cycling holiday as all hire bikes are left at the final hotel.
Important: Please book your flights only after the cycling holiday has been confirmed by invoice or email. Flights and transfers are not included in the advertised holiday price.
The Amsterdam to Paris cycling holiday includes the daily transfer of luggage to the next hotel and local support if required.
Included Services (Subject to confirmation)
Accommodation in 3/4 * Hotels
Bike hire and helmet
Route notes and maps
Tourist information on all the places of interest
7-days a week service-hotline
Flights to/from the start and finish
Evening meals (unless stated)
Local daily taxes (Payable at the hotel)
Bike Insurance (unless stated)
Welcome Meetings (unless stated)
Transfers (unless included)
This cycling holiday uses hybrid bikes with gearing suitable for the local terrain. All bikes are regularly maintained and offer comfort along with good quality components.
You will receive an accessories package including a bicycle pannier bag with a good capacity, repair kit, lock, key, and air pump.
When you make a booking with us, we take your height(s) and the appropriate bike size is matched up accordingly.
Helmets are not provided and you will need to bring your own to use. We always recommend wearing a helmet when on your cycling holiday.
E-Bike Upgrades:
Why not upgrade your cycling experience to an E-Bike (Electric Bike)? Using a power assisted bike is a great way to go on a cycling holiday and will help you smooth out inclines or longer days in the saddle. Each E-Bike features an LCD display, removable batteries for easy charging and assistance up to 25 km/h with a range of around 120 km for each full charge depending on usage.
E-Bike upgrade prices vary per tour, but if you require any more information about bike hire and electric bikes, please get in-touch with us on +44 (0) 800 7555385.
This cycling holiday stays in good quality hotels with private facilities carefully selected for their proximity to your cycle route and comfort. If you wish to know specific information about the hotel facilities, Wi-Fi and upgrades used on the holidays, please contact us on +44 (0) 800 7555385 for more information.
The hotel list below is subject to change and should be used as a guide.
We will confirm the exact hotels prior to arrival.
Paris to Amsterdam Sample Hotel List
Paris Holiday Inn Paris La Villette
Cantilly/Senlis La Porte Bellon
Compiegne Best Western Hotel Les Beaux Arts
Saint Quentin Le Grand Hotel
Cambrai Hotel Le Mouton Blanc
Tournai Hotel Cathedrale
Gent Best Western Chamade
Antwerpen Hampton By Hilton
Breda Golden Tulip Keyser Breda
Gouda Best Western Hotel Gouda
Amsterdam Westcord Art Hotel
You will receive your final hotel list approximately 4 weeks prior to your arrival date detailing the hotels used on your cycling holiday. If you wish to know more about the hotels prior to completing a booking form, please contact our Customer Services team via email or by phone.
Date & Prices
You can find out more about this cycling holiday by completing a Contact Form or call 0800 755 5385 to speak to one of the team.
2019 Cycling Holiday Prices:
Season Date Band Arrival Day
Season 1: 20.06. - 29.08.2019 20/06; 11/07; 25/07; 15/08; 29/08;
Season 1: 21.07. - 04.08.2019 21/07; 04/08; (Paris to Amsterdam only)
Category A Information:
Season Prices per person including bike hire
Season 1: £1239
Season 1: (from Paris) £1489
E-Bike Upgrade: £119
Hotel Category Descriptions:
Category Type Accommodation Overview
Category A: 3/4* Hotels
Extra Nights (You will stay in the same hotel as per the cycle tour)
Location Prices from (DBL/BB)
Amsterdam: £69 per person per night
Paris: £on request
20 June 2019 29 August 2019
Book this Holiday
Leave a review on Feefo
Overall Trip rating:
Customer Experience:
Cycling Through Culture: Denmark
For your consideration: Denmark is a truly unique country filled with epic cycling trails!...
Cycling Through Culture: Czech Republic
Historic and tremendously popular, here are a few interesting things about the Czech Republic - a prime cycling destination!...
Cycling Through Culture: Belgium
A great cycling-trail treasure of Europe, here's a few things about beautiful Belgium you might not know!...
Cycling Through Culture: Portugal
Portuguese culture keeps holidaymakers coming back year on year. Make Portugal your next cycling holiday destination! ...
SHOW ME ALL NEWS POSTS
Few would immediately think of Denmark when considering a cycling holiday, but cycling holidays in Denmark actually… https://t.co/vANjnpPeXa @Freewheel Holidays 12 h
If you're a #Cycling holiday veteran, or if you're just starting out, we've got some incredible tours with their ow… https://t.co/jg97XcacxX @Freewheel Holidays 3 d
Give your little ones the gift of cycling and treat the whole family to an amazing #Cycling holiday abroad.… https://t.co/Uq7nPD7X2C @Freewheel Holidays 6 d
Opt-in to receive news, offers, and emails from Freewheel Holidays:
Sports Tours International
T. 0800 7555385
E. info@freewheelholidays.com
Freewheel Holidays,
91 Walkden Road,
Walkden,
M28 7BQ
AJAXNESS


Harriet struggled to make ends meet as a single parent with a sick child.
I was feeling really low. It's hard being a single parent. It makes it even harder with a sick child.
Harriet's son is 9 years old and developed a medical condition a few years ago which he's still being treated for. Because of the condition, he needs regular medication but the side effects are not easy to cope with.
The medication causes incontinence. Her son still needs nappies and has accidents during the night.
I was struggling with all the extra costs. I was buying nappies and replacement waterproof bedding to help my son. But, I was going through so many cleaning products.
Her son's school has supported the family for some time and referred her to The Welcome Centre. She received food, toiletries and cleaning products. The Welcome Centre also gave her suitable bedding and a stock of incontinence products.
Cath, Development Worker at The Welcome Centre, helped Harriet to secure a regular grant for the cost of the extra items he needs during his treatment. This should help ease the burden during a difficult time.


text:
Innovate Business IT The world of IT and the role
of the CIO are transforming.
We need to lead. Infographics | Videos | Whitepapers | Contact Us
Accelerating the Value of IT- CIO Insights
Over the last year we have asked senior IT executives from almost every industry to discuss how the role of the CIO is changing. Members of the media as well as industry thought leaders provided insights into how CIOs and IT departments are adjusting to the new realities of today's corporate environment.
10 Most Important Pieces of Advice for Women in IT
At a recent Executive Women in IT luncheon co-hosted by the CIO Executive Council and Dell Services, almost 40 leading women in IT gathered to discuss what it means to be trailblazers and risk-takers in today's global IT business environment.
Busting Bureaucracy in the Enterprise
Bureaucracy can best be described as a top-down approach to decision making made by an authoritative group void of any direct feedback from the people carrying out the activities.
Big Data — What's the Big Deal?
People have been talking about Big Data since the late 1990s. When originally coined, the phrase addressed the continuously growing boundaries of computing. Technologists were making everything bigger—from CPU processing power to storage to networks.
CIO Magazine: State of the CIO 2014
CIOs are increasing their roles, increasing the time spent on strategic activities and elevating their positions within their companies from a functional department to business strategists.
From Rental to Streaming: How Netflix Changed the Speed of Business
Once a staple of cityscapes and suburban strip malls, no matter where you traveled across America you were as likely to see a Blockbuster outlet as a McDonald's.
"Value" — The New Measurement for IT Success
As we have discussed here previously, a number of major trends—consumerization of IT, the Cloud, social media and mobility—will continue to disrupt IT organizations for many years to come.
Continuing the Conversation: IT Is Facing Competition for the First Time
The consumerization of IT is a common theme here at innovatebusinessIT.com. We categorize this emerging dynamic under the IT 2.0 macro trend. Consumerization is one of the major drivers of change in the industry.
Sorry, you don't get to quit your day job.
Many people say, with trends like BYOD and SaaS, the role of IT will shrink in the future. Well, I'm here to tell you that IT doesn't get to stop doing anything it used to do.
Harvard Business Review Research: The End of Efficiency as the End Game
For years, an uncertain global economic climate shifted the focus of many organizations toward costs. This meant everything from postponing discretionary IT spending to reducing head counts of individual contributors.
VideosInfographics
Which of the following activities is your IT department most effective at doing?
Improving the operation of the IT function
Proactively identifying new ways that IT can add business value
Using IT to reduce costs across the entire organization
Infographics | Videos | Whitepapers | About | Contact Us | Community Guidelines
© 2020 www.innovatebusinessIT.com