No I wasn't being a bad English person who dizzily crashing into the bird due to lack of bike skills, the bird flew into the side of my body and took us both down!
I found myself on the floor sharing the underside of my bike with the swan (who looked very confused if not somewhat dead). I bounced up and pulled the bike off the bird terrified that I'd killed it. The bird eventually got up and staggered about for a bit before marching off back to the park on the far side of the road. Now this took place on the bike path in front of everybody, six dutch people stopped to help. I don't know if it was because I was English (silly English girl crashing into swans) or because they love animals in Holland but no one asked how I was, they were all very concerned for this swan. I am yet to decide if that's a good thing or not. One lady eventually asked if I was ok once it was clear the bird was fine and I said yes. i am now sat at work and the bloody adrenaline has kicked in and my hands are shaking (sucks to be a women). I have a scrape on my knee and a random small cut on the side of my foot. Kylie was very sweet helping me clean it with anti septic wipe however also thought this was hilarious! One of the guys I work with pointed out that they use swans for the KLM advert.
I'm sorry I didn't have my camera with me but I promise every word is true.
