Le blog finale

So, here we are. The final straight. The end of the line. The last hurrah. Over the top. Head above the parapet. Our train journey home.

All of us are silently (actually, rather vocally) pleased not to be riding our bikes today. In fact, riding this train is a lot like the bikes. Seeing the beautiful, versatile French scenery fly (!) by, a sense of camaraderie, long calorific boozy lunches. Just without the pain and saddle-sore.

We've all enjoyed the trip immensely and are thankful that we've made it round without serious injury.

So it's back to controls engineering / dealing with the NHS abusers of Tooting / incompetent University types / economy class [delete as appropriate].

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An ode to French restaurants

Here are three good reasons to avoid les restaurant Francais:

A. They're always on hills.
B. They're always closed at lunchtime.
C. They're not where they claim to be.

So, it's time for luncheon and a bit of a blog.

Turns out The Big Mat has a propensity for whingeing, the Doc is a lot like Eyore, Roo is much like a wind turbine and The Otter can't stop falling over. We make quite a team.

Lunch over and we're all feeling much better (after two pitchers of rose who wouldn't be?), none of us are feeling much like cycling a further 40miles though!

Ok, time to go.

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The content of this blog may be affected by a low glucose level.

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The second day of pain

Here we are luncheoning again. This time overlooking a river in Bourg (no relation to Bjorg). We had a conveniently timed wine tasting just before lunchtime so sipping local plonk.

The Big Mat just contemplating out loud throwing himself over the railing to end the pain (but I want more avec fromage et jambon). He is challenging the Otter for the coveted crown of "most likely to fall off bicycle".

The Doc embarking on a Star Trek related rant.

Managed to dodge most of the heavy showers yesterday for a decent 80 mile start. Found an 8% lager in the evening, which alleviated the aches.

Much sunnier today (which will help The Big Mat's sunburn immensely).

Three of us tossed and turned for 30s before dropping off last night. The Big Mat managed 3 hours.

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Church en Bordeaux

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IMG00046-20110707-1243.jpg

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Stupid Americans

Here enjoying some luncheon in Acin about 20 miles out of Bordeaux. Had a good journey yesterday. Long 6 hour train ride from Lille to Bordeaux made bearable by some chatty (and yet stereotypically stupid) Yankees with day-glow teeth. Roo made the mistake of talking to them and they didn't shut up for the next 6 hours. They made no secret of the apparent likeness between The Big Mat and a 12-year old Emellio Esteves. The Big Mat wasn't too perturbed since they didn't understand the word 'estuary' or 'pastry'.

Eurostar uneventful although the Doc cut it fine.

Decided to build our bikes by a group of homeless louts salavating along with their dog. Fortunately some policemen with automatic weapons moved them along.

Went out in university-ville last night, which was a blast from the past. The wine is fabulous and the food delicious.

The Otter has only fallen off twice so far, so no bad going.

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T-1

One day to go and just looking down the list of things to take. Have just scribbled 'passport' at the bottom... maybe should asterisk that.

Camera!

hmm, 32MB flash card won't go far... wonder where the other one is.

Taxi booked for 06:15, ergh! Off home to dismantle bike and make sure it fits in its bag!

Weather in Bordeaux looks great. Sunny with some cloud and 22C-27C.

Next post should hopefully be from the Eurostar!