Left Colin and Teresa around 10.30 am on the 20 th for B de B and old friends Patrick Claire Sophie and Thomas.
The roads were full if very slow camper vans and very fast cyclists.
It was similar weather to the day before a kind of mountain mist with a coolness that ate into your bones after a while.
Good to be on the bike again and feel the wind in my hair and burble of the GS.
The cols where we were watching the tour the day before were now empty that is apart from bags of rubbish and white tufts of toilet paper (yes toilets would be a good idea at the tour - or perhaps a trowel).
A short ride to B de B of some 80 km or so. Up familiar climbs that I have cycled in the past few years, this time a different bike and passing vans and cyclists. Many motorbikes all acknowledging me as we passed - a worldwide club.
Over the col de aspin and now ready for a break so stopped for my coffee fix. They had free wi fi so updated my blog. Met some American cyclists in the cafe that were fed up with the weather and had decided not to ride the Tourmalet, so were eating big time including wine! and planning on moving on. They were impressed that I had ridden most of the big climbs in the past on a single speed mountain bike Inc mt ventoux.
The cafe lit a big fire and the cyclists soon had their sweaty kit steaming over it! nice with food. I would have done the same.
Tried to call Pat and Claire and no luck but had a nice e-mail saying they were in and please stay for supper and they had a spare bed! As I had not heard from Shane about Pau and the White water course decided to take-up the better offer. Flexible programming.
Arrived in B de B shopped with Claire and caught up with each others news. As usual when staying I felt inspired to cook so baked a fruit flan for supper ( main picture).
Si its my birthday today started with 6 candles and a happy birthday, and a butter free croissant for breakfast and of course several nice coffees from Pats machine.
By now visiting the local Markets is customary - probably one of my favourite places in the world. Of course shopping for an a full la carte dinner. Claire found a mussels recipe she fancied. What an inspiring way to start off my 51 st year.
Then rode bike to meet Shane and Christina friends from Fremantle and family at Pau. On way called into a servo and met two Aussies a Perth couple from Melville.
On way fuelled up and called Liz as had missed call - she was in way to Monica's 40 th party think little creatures. Was good to speak on my birthday.
Met up with Shane and Christina eventually (one way system and old streets) in Pau and we had Lunch in old area near Chateau de Pau. Walked streets afterwards and this area was beautiful, old narrow streets, small shops, really worthwhile will visit again when more time.
Rode back by now running late so called in to let Pat n Claire know.
Tucked in behind a french motorcyclist who was making good progress, which meant I also did. However lost time as took wrong turn in a town and did a few circuits.
Got back just in time to see end of time trial on TV with wiggo and Froome kicking butt - nice, they will give him a knighthood. So strong - hope he is clean.
We had a starter of wild french mushrooms cooked in olive oil, garlic with lots of fresh parsley, french bread and red wine.
Pat was helping at the B de B criterium road race so we went to watch in between courses. Both Sophie and Thomas (7) rode a demonstration ride which ended up being 6 laps of the course! the crowd applauded Thomas as he rode past very quickly I might add for a seven year old - but then he does have two great cyclists as parents.
Back for supper...of mussels cooked in a pimento and tomato sauce with mild chilli sausage, wild garlic and parsley- yum, nothing left told the story! Nice recipe I adapted, glad have not lost my touch.
Homemade Chocolate mud Cake and chamomile tea to finish.
What a day and oh to pack in some more would have been pretty hard, ney impossible.
Planning a MTB ride Sunday - also need to get moving towards Italy, taking scenic route via mountains nit Coastal.