Relax, it's all downhill from here!

First of all, as we sweat our way through the French countryside, we would like to thank everyone for the sympathy we have received from you all at home in NZ. While you lot have been luxuriating in the delights of hail, thunderstorms and the odd tornado, we have been enduring all the challenges that a cycle tour through France in the early summer conjures up. The support and understanding we have received during this time is unprecedented. The fact that we have had to cut our daily kilometers down in order to seek refuge in swimming pool after swimming pool speaks volumes about the conditions we have had to endure. Of course every now and then, there is no swimming pool and we have to rough it in an alpine lake, but we're prepared to do what we have to. That even extends to the occasional horror of having to consume more than one ice cream per day, which any reasonable person knows is the absolute limit. Toff, you'll notice I put “reasonable” person. However, there is talk of ...

Today is the eighth anniversary of mum's death. Some would say "passing" as if she's just flitted off somewhere, soon to return. When she died I almost wanted some kind of "after death" connection or a sign so I knew she was still around in some way. But to no avail. Funny really because it's not like I need that, to think of her often, which I do, but the relationship we had was and always will be special and the same applies to my Dad, who fortunately is still with us at ninety two.  As I've aged, especially since the kids have grown, I've appreciated even more what my parents did for myself and brother Dave. We never had everything handed to us, both mum and dad were very much working class, but we were always loved and enjoyed great childhoods. So, thank you Dad for all you've done for us and here's to you mum, wherever you are. Know that I love you now as much as I ever did, but miss your smile and our hugs and you'll forever be ...

Began the day with messages from Shaz and Briana, suggesting that I might have been hacked. That's a bit like telling a gorilla he's got a sore tooth and needs to see a dentist. Not quite actually....a gorilla would work it out. However, with my technophobe alongside me, she worked it out and hopefully those hackers are now trying to figure out my new password. With that taking a little time, we hit the road by 6.30am, with Julia ably guiding us through the streets and neighbourhoods of Grenoble, on our way toward Chambery.  Once on the cycle path and out of the city, the riding this morning was stunning. Huge mountains and massive pieces of rock just gazing down on us.  Diverted into Crolles, which had some massive places of industry, to pick up breakfast from a brilliant Auchan Intermarche. Cycled on a few more kms and in a small village, found a kids playground (no paedophile jokes please), and sat and enjoyed breakfast in the shade. What a great spot for breakfast. Shade ...