Posted in France, Sports, Television, Tour de France, Travel on 26th July 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Montereau-Fault-Yonne – Paris Champs-Élysées (164 km)
Today saw the final and most prestigious stage of the world’s greatest bike race after what has been a enjoyable, good humoured, scandal free and very watchable three weeks. There was time for the usual fun and chatting, with time to drink champagne toasts during the early kilometres. Everything changed as Paris was [...]
Posted in France, Sports, Television, Tour de France, Travel on 25th July 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Montélimar – Mont Ventoux (167 km)
There was only one contender for picture of the day. It had to be the imposing and arid slopes of Mont Ventoux, with its wonderful views across France. The aerial perspective, receding bands of increasingly bluer terrain, seemed to go on for ever. A truly amazing place for the penultimate [...]
Posted in France, Sports, Television, Tour de France, Travel on 24th July 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Bourgoin-Jallieu – Aubenas (178 km)
Today was a tour of two halves, as far as scenery was concerned. Firstly the riders rode through the flatter agricultural lands around the Rhone valley, with occasional glimpses of the famous sunflower fields. Valences and La Vaulte sur Rhone looked particularly interesting with the river sparkling in the sunlight. We [...]
Posted in France, Sports, Television, Tour de France, Travel on 23rd July 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Annecy – Annecy Individual Time Trial (40.5 km)
Lots of views of beautiful Lake Annecy today, although mostly from the road rather than the helicopter, as the individual time trial followed a 40k (25mile) circuit mostly around the shores the lake. We had several good views of the Chateau de Duingt on its peninsula sticking out into Lake Annecy (just visible in the [...]
Posted in France, Sports, Television, Tour de France, Travel on 22nd July 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Bourg-Saint-Maurice – Le Grand-Bornand (169.5 km)
More wonderful mountainous scenery today with a finish in the pretty chalet filled alpine town of Le Grand Bornand.
After his bad accident yesterday, it was good to hear that Jens Voigt is recovering reasonably well in hospital. Three riders finished the race together, Alberto Contador, who continues to wear the [...]
Posted in France, Italy, Sports, Switzerland, Television, Tour de France, Travel on 21st July 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Martigny - Bourg-Saint-Maurice (159 km)
The Aiguille de Midi promise a wonderful view. (Aiguille is French for Needle, which is very appropriate!) There is a viewing platform perched very high up over a deep cleft between the pinnacles. We saw some wonderful alpine views today as the riders ascended and then descended both the Grand St Bernard and Petit St [...]
Posted in France, Sports, Switzerland, Television, Tour de France, Travel on 19th July 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Pontarlier – Verbier (207.5 km)
The tour rode across the border into Switzerland and we were treated to some stunning alpine views on the way to the finish at the ski resort of Verbier. There is a rest day tomorrow, followed by another alpine stage across Switzerland and Italy before returning to France.
The riding today, especially on [...]
Posted in France, Sports, Television, Tour de France, Travel on 18th July 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Colmar – Besançon (199 km)
A much better weather day today, though initially there were some very overcast skies. We saw some beautiful views of the River Doubs, alongside which the tour rode for much of the race. The finish was at Becançon, situated on a large bend in the river and overlooked by an impressive citadel built by [...]
Posted in France, Sports, Television, Tour de France, Travel on 17th July 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Vittel – Colmar (200 km)
The television coverage today started just after the Tour left the lakeside town of Gérardmer and began the ascent of the Col de la Schlucht. Such a shame that it was such terrible weather. The Vosges scenery should have been wonderful but we saw none through the mist and driving rain. We visited Alsace in [...]
Posted in France, Sports, Television, Tour de France, Travel on 16th July 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Tonnerre – Vittel (211.5 km)
The ride from Tonnerre, meaning ‘thunder’ in French, passed through some pleasant and undulating rural terrain, with a few low category climbs to negotiate as the Tour rode towards Vittel in Lorraine. Early in the race we saw the towering three tier viaduct at Chaumont, with the railway running across the top [...]
Paul for everyone: Romans (Part 1: Chapters 1-8) - Tom Wright
Romans: The People's Bible Commentary - James Dunn
Spirituality workbook: a guide for explorers, pilgrims & seekers - David Runcorn
Taste and See: Adventuring into Prayer - Margaret Silf
The Big Over Easy - Jasper Fforde
HOLIDAY READING
I'm not on holiday at the moment, but always planning the next one! Watch this space...
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