Well said Terry - I guess it's also a tribute to us as women that we can carry on about 20 different topics of conversation at the same time!!!

missliz - as you said ealier I guess it really was your generation that opened the way up for women today.

At school I wasn't really intersted in the sport on offer - it's very limited in the UK for girls to hockey, netball and tennis which I think schools like to considered as 'nice' ladylike sports for 'young ladies' to play. Not too physical or challenging and (in my school anyway) demanded we wore a little pleated PE skirts at all times. So i joined a rowing club out of school and had a great time.

( By the way, I know others who do some the above sports can be any thing but 'nice' when they really get going!! )

There were a couple of gilrs at school who were exceptionally good at sports - one of them went on to swim fo England but as far as I can remember she never had to put up with any comments about her sexuallity. As far as i can remember everyone was very proud of her achievements. So thanks to those of you who paved the way for the rest of us to enjoy our sports reletively hassel-free.

I guess at the end of the day it's got to be live and let live. I like riding my bike and to be honest, only go to the gym to compliment by riding and/ or if the weather makes it impossible to go out side.

Terry - I understand where you're coming from about the perpetutation of the idea of 'neediess. ' and I feel lucky it's not a concept I've ever bought into. I also feel lucky that I can be what I like. Some days I like to go out and get muddy and other days I like to get muddy while wearing a flowery jersey,nail varnish and jewlery, just to emphaise the fact that I'm having a great time and I'm also a girl and it is possible to do both things at once!!