We (Alan and me, joined later by Jon and David) are off again. The vanguard flies to Nice early on the 17th June and after a night in Nice we cycle through the mountains to meet Jon and David in Dijon (think mustard). We all then cycle to Calais, pausing for a few days to pay our respects at World War One sites, the centenary of the start of the war. I am apprehensive of the Alps and some of the other rigours of the trip but there is sooooo much to look forward ...

Looking forward to our cycling venture does not summarise how I (Andy, Alan can speak for himself) feel. Words like trepidation describe my mood well, fuelled by thoughts of mountains, the first few days of our trip will be through the Pyrenees for example, gulp. Since Alan suggested this trip, from Perpignan to Caen with a stop over in Tours en route, I have been in training, it has got me fit, but whether fit enough will soon tell. So firstly thanks Alan, that...

Before the off Me and Liz, off to Venice (4 nights) and Verona (yes 4 nights) on Saturday, lucky us. This is a trial blog, before more energetic endeavours later in the summer.