A French village, today.

Jeez but it's hot! Distance-wise I only travelled a few hundred km today, but because of the winding mountain roads I travelled at half the speed.

I had to take many stops to rest & drink, which meant today was my longest day in the saddle.

Sore, tired and very hot, but glad that I made it to the Med, and that Beth, Noah & co arrived safely in Italy. Hopefully I can join them tomorrow.

Only 400km to go!

Ciao!

View's ok, I suppose...

Stunning scenery & fantastic alpine roads on the N85 Route Napoleon between Grenoble and Gap.

In the Gap

Gap town square, complete with multicoloured metal cows. Now for lunch!

Grenoble, I am in you!

Sunny and warm (but not too hot) down here in Grenoble.

A bit of a dull jorney from Nancy, but a spectaular last 35km down through the mountains into Grenoble. The picture is the view from my window!

Tomorrow the Route Napoleon and the Mediterranean!

Bon soir ma leetle cheroobs.

Little details (1)

On the INSIDE of the bathroom doorframe: what I can only describe as a beer bottle opener. Quality hotel.

Long day in the saddle

Phew! Got a hotel in Nancy, so I met my first target stop.

I could've gone a bit farther if I a) hadn't taken a 50km round trip looking for fuel, and b) didn,t have such a sore throttle hand. May have to get swept bars for the VFR!

Got caught in the rain a couple of times; nothing major until I got to Nancy where I got caught in a torrential downpour!

Belguim and Luxembourg earned their reputation by being utterly featureless and forgettable, albeit with considerate drivers. And why does 120km/h seem so much faster than 75mph?

Going for something to eat now (in bike gear since all I have to wear is long shorts, a t-shirt and flip flops!)

Hope to reach Grenoble tomorrow, where the trip really begins.

Bon soir!

Carefull, Tiger

I stopped to fill up across the road from this - that's a real WWII German Tiger Tank!

On the road

Belgium is very like Holland: flat and with lots of windmills. Am I in the right country?

All aboard!

Sailing at 6.30pm. Came on board with this huge gang of reprobates who (going by the '46' stickers) are headedcto the same place as me! I shall enquire over dinner. I paid for mine in advance, so I shall expect a seat at the Captain's table.

I have the cabin to myself so no need to supply roomate with ear plugs...

Ahoy!

And you're welcome to it!

Rain let off around the time I got to Lauder. Drizzle here at the border.

Thanks to the Dynamic Doyens Alison and Lindsey I managed to get my rain gear on before I left!

Things I realise I've forgotten (part 1): footwear (apart from flipflops) and Mugello MotoGP Tickets! Bbbbbbeeeeettttthhhhh!!!

All dressed up...

... And rarein' to go!

Had to go into work to photocopy docs for journey. Going to put rain gear on then I'm off!

Away tomorrow

Got completely soaked on the way home from work today, and the forecast is for heavy rain all the way to Hull tomorrow. It'll be Marigolds on under gloves and feet in Tesco bags inside boots. At least it's not cold.

As if things weren't bad enough, I've been so busy at work that I forgot to take my bike documents to photocopy! I may have to leave early tomorrow and pass by work to do it...

Four days to go

Bike ready (nearly), kit ready (nearly), clothing ready (nearly), paperwork ready (nearly) and I'm not nearly ready!