tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59990774462521647542024-02-18T19:26:29.522-08:00MonticelloBike tripsUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999077446252164754.post-11170177904264105312011-07-10T07:34:00.000-07:002011-07-10T07:40:12.790-07:00The Pyrenean Challenge June/July 2011The RAID Pyrenees route is available on the internet. It is 700 km long and involves climbs totalling 11,600 metres - that's 10,000 feet more than climbing Mt Everest!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clive on the Corniche!</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With Nigel as roadie we set off on Sunday, </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sailed through the night with bikes on the Volvo; </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lunch in Laredo and then on to Hendaye, </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tomorrow - we start the Big Daddyo!</span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999077446252164754.post-62063594584086044882011-07-10T07:19:00.000-07:002011-07-10T07:23:35.203-07:0028-30th June 2011 to Bidarray, Bielle and Argeles-Gazoste<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Day 1 Hendaye to Bidarry</span></div>
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62 miles and 3926 feet</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last sight of the Atlantic after leaving Hendaye</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Finding sheep's cheese in Ossau Iraty, </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">And sweet little villages like Sara </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">With hard courts for playing pelote - </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The biggies come nearer and nearer!</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I imagine she was good at pelote, too!</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Day 2 to Bielle</span></div>
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55 miles and 4145 feet over <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">col d'Osquich</span> (500m)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nearly went into Spain!</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Potage, hors d'oeuvres and pieces of pork </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">For lunch, and then tartes aux pommes; </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Col d'Osquish, now we're starting to talk - </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Said Nigel, with his Grand Camion</span></span></span>.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Day 3 to Argeles-Gazoste</span></div>
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35 miles and 4762 feet over Col d'Aubisque (1709m) and col du Soulor (1404m)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top of our first biggie (15 km of climb)</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">The camaraderie of the ascent of Aubisque </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">The pain of the hour by hour slog; </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Savage ravines, tunnels and distant peaks, </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">But the summit was shrouded in fog!</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The col du Soulor was sauvage!</td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999077446252164754.post-70708253839140321472011-07-10T06:37:00.000-07:002011-07-10T06:37:40.629-07:001st to 3rd July to Ste Marie, Luchon and St Girons<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Day 4 to Ste Marie de Campan </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">(Bagneres de Bigorre)</span></div>
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41 miles and 5761 feet of climb over the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Col du Tourmalet</span> (2115m)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAV-LaxfmSy5ItZ1Z7EQxXST3Z4_KABdNPVW9LE3e86G73srADvhKMYebcntgHfaK4GvXRXNSiwdzS5I78p2pCPvM81M-OYKcXVCLGnc8bDZZsiy30BMdYG1Ul5-qJm4xF8aS3eRPTmeZ1/s1600/screen-capture-7.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAV-LaxfmSy5ItZ1Z7EQxXST3Z4_KABdNPVW9LE3e86G73srADvhKMYebcntgHfaK4GvXRXNSiwdzS5I78p2pCPvM81M-OYKcXVCLGnc8bDZZsiy30BMdYG1Ul5-qJm4xF8aS3eRPTmeZ1/s320/screen-capture-7.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyWtFpISMaNWggbCBpjm6xQfRLmhqpyrbD0dQCB-e1TknX6BV13p4zaEWkC1LjcfVc2vxfhckTJMxDW3lYPTKNKQCU-SbCX9Fkr5Deq1R9y-7vU3tVPwEX7yE8FrB_TcibRz9fLvo0fvKM/s1600/Day+4+Tourmalet+1228.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyWtFpISMaNWggbCBpjm6xQfRLmhqpyrbD0dQCB-e1TknX6BV13p4zaEWkC1LjcfVc2vxfhckTJMxDW3lYPTKNKQCU-SbCX9Fkr5Deq1R9y-7vU3tVPwEX7yE8FrB_TcibRz9fLvo0fvKM/s640/Day+4+Tourmalet+1228.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking west down the route we had ascended</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Iconic, the ride up the Tourmalet;</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Our minds, determined by absence of stress, </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Feet pedalling, pedalling thro' fields of hay, </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Views and inclines that sure took our breath.</span></span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhxgYFDrJcIT5VgVhH411nZVLsaqqB8CZoAq_7un3x1Zp29Hq1Gwen2hSRR7r3SN231vU8qELz9cW1pFOI1K647Wdbd0QH0nT6Xc12aBWky52W1FtLDSKC8SEeUfSlgssTVqSzvlmDgCo/s1600/Day+4+Tourmalet+top+1229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHhxgYFDrJcIT5VgVhH411nZVLsaqqB8CZoAq_7un3x1Zp29Hq1Gwen2hSRR7r3SN231vU8qELz9cW1pFOI1K647Wdbd0QH0nT6Xc12aBWky52W1FtLDSKC8SEeUfSlgssTVqSzvlmDgCo/s320/Day+4+Tourmalet+top+1229.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OK, we just had to have this picture!</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Day 5 to Bagneres de Luchon</span></div>
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31 miles and 4909 feet over <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Col d'Aspin</span> (1489m) and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Peyresourde</span> (1560m)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVqK6QAUqwP1tCMUfkNevzbeijjGk4NkTU4UHn1Uu0LnB8RpOrn2ojN-rQCfD8xBDb64vfAo8fuw-14t3wvJNQkGrZZW3bd-75InuyRYxLUz7fkl7nO0NYLvOH6ly78RBHnYkev3spRJD1/s1600/screen-capture-8.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVqK6QAUqwP1tCMUfkNevzbeijjGk4NkTU4UHn1Uu0LnB8RpOrn2ojN-rQCfD8xBDb64vfAo8fuw-14t3wvJNQkGrZZW3bd-75InuyRYxLUz7fkl7nO0NYLvOH6ly78RBHnYkev3spRJD1/s320/screen-capture-8.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1Pe5Y_81mJ7rZelkEmGIC-XF9oeO3IYqlmrSK1E4DvnKLO0PDOAdoMoanUc1Oh20e45oXMKhWWNG3M13Zo1iJlpJJIQkXMS1eGGHrah0ZhXaLImQKmdCUMeZbAYXDYvxa_BxBM0f-Nap/s1600/Day+5+1230.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN1Pe5Y_81mJ7rZelkEmGIC-XF9oeO3IYqlmrSK1E4DvnKLO0PDOAdoMoanUc1Oh20e45oXMKhWWNG3M13Zo1iJlpJJIQkXMS1eGGHrah0ZhXaLImQKmdCUMeZbAYXDYvxa_BxBM0f-Nap/s320/Day+5+1230.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Engineers working on the bikes in the morning!</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Peyresourde came after col d'Aspin, </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Roller-coaster ride down to Arreau; </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Climbed up like a bird, down like a Zeppelin, </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Met buses on corners, so narrow!</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZxhn5JsNOL__3QS9q6dDFF98yVocQk_8AR_1zmnS5V25gToZDsav5NOYQlMSLz330JVw-RLpq2jTLhWmn8yTkc4zU5t2bLsTTN_MsFaj2DJKCaM0WfiWEhLkmKOMSMJSGd8ApcDfcmJz/s1600/Day+5+Arreau+1231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaZxhn5JsNOL__3QS9q6dDFF98yVocQk_8AR_1zmnS5V25gToZDsav5NOYQlMSLz330JVw-RLpq2jTLhWmn8yTkc4zU5t2bLsTTN_MsFaj2DJKCaM0WfiWEhLkmKOMSMJSGd8ApcDfcmJz/s320/Day+5+Arreau+1231.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lunch on skewers at Arreau, after an amazing descent</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Day 6 to St Girons</span></div>
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54 miles and 3838 feet of climb over <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Col des Ares</span> (797m) and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Portet d'Aspet</span> (1069m)</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAq9jkeFrHb5ZHpx26UIgvdmbXi-yTl2hxbMZfQvmrROCvSePYTMYrCFDOY284wWrS3XiedLLmscnjPqlfzCpepAhs1K4-yWLocbanY1wNWOZ0jLsawZhpbW3SmBUg_mXFfqyyHXL_9x76/s1600/Day+6+col+de+Portet+1232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAq9jkeFrHb5ZHpx26UIgvdmbXi-yTl2hxbMZfQvmrROCvSePYTMYrCFDOY284wWrS3XiedLLmscnjPqlfzCpepAhs1K4-yWLocbanY1wNWOZ0jLsawZhpbW3SmBUg_mXFfqyyHXL_9x76/s320/Day+6+col+de+Portet+1232.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This had some of the steepest sections of the whole trip (24%)</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Grey skies and threats of rain in the day </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Leaving Bagneres de Luchon </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Col des Arles and Portet d'Aspet </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Enlivened our progression.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVXi0UrsfBX9GRR9fpqKiCNjHuSRS3vGwLbAmyN99oPeiP2PAAY52X-r57Zg6bnXeBnZxwHiPwjcYpu9ddsA5EICbQEHUZd41uXoUdHAIk2IXfE5cwrCSEbdXVhmWpWCMiNLqcnWsOQVSZ/s1600/Day+6+Boules+1233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVXi0UrsfBX9GRR9fpqKiCNjHuSRS3vGwLbAmyN99oPeiP2PAAY52X-r57Zg6bnXeBnZxwHiPwjcYpu9ddsA5EICbQEHUZd41uXoUdHAIk2IXfE5cwrCSEbdXVhmWpWCMiNLqcnWsOQVSZ/s400/Day+6+Boules+1233.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">32 degrees in St Girons </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">With thunder in the evening </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Alpine flowers and ice cream fun,</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"> This love of France we're feeling!</span></span></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999077446252164754.post-29830714094095027952011-07-09T15:01:00.000-07:002011-07-10T07:44:34.221-07:004th to 6th July - to Ax, Villefranche, Argeles<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Day 7 to Ax les Thermes</span></div>
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<i>53 miles and 4274 ft</i> over <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">col de Caougnouse</span> (940m) and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">de Port</span> (1249m)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Tr020GQZq9AnqZLK3D7TInp7PIjkxr7eoHGp6R3ZbIFBQFYYZXlaWXUanst1jhnb6TJikhjtz9pxJDKtg03w_Crpv9_fKJq3HMJJsbp2c5excgatZydfB-6U1IOGU8mmRLZiaPoBXX38/s1600/Day+7+1225.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5Tr020GQZq9AnqZLK3D7TInp7PIjkxr7eoHGp6R3ZbIFBQFYYZXlaWXUanst1jhnb6TJikhjtz9pxJDKtg03w_Crpv9_fKJq3HMJJsbp2c5excgatZydfB-6U1IOGU8mmRLZiaPoBXX38/s640/Day+7+1225.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Imagine descending this hill from le Port,</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Swooping round hairpins again and again; </span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Black olive salad - Carolina's best sort, </span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then cowboys and indians in the rain!</span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 18px;"></span>Day 8 to Vernet les Bains/Villefranch Conflient</span> </div>
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<i>65 miles and 5708 feet</i> over <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">col de Puymorens</span> (1915m) and <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Mont Louis</span> (1585m). Descended 6646 feet</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE4Tum2qDoY_ZjQQj0UbEknQnr17dZ1SnLSobRo57a1vokPWAXE-qkER3Ttq3cUFm2KeCoy2CsHYwJlrtBJYxN2K3e3E-r_bvEOOTrmTvPEBkNCtvujWBEOIlWFJJ4kKWB_3YkG-fl2vBY/s1600/screen-capture-11.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgE4Tum2qDoY_ZjQQj0UbEknQnr17dZ1SnLSobRo57a1vokPWAXE-qkER3Ttq3cUFm2KeCoy2CsHYwJlrtBJYxN2K3e3E-r_bvEOOTrmTvPEBkNCtvujWBEOIlWFJJ4kKWB_3YkG-fl2vBY/s320/screen-capture-11.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">28 km climbing out of Ax - </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">While Nigel was off to Andorra - </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">More climbs after lunch our bodies did tax </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">And the vistas got taller and taller.</span></span></div>
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Mont Louis started the 10/10 descent, </div>
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Catalan lunch in Bourg-Madame; </div>
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The end of the swoop was heaven sent, </div>
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The reward a double choc Magnum!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTuPlv6v32uChn_txUqSC4r9u5J-Co7Un6DdmgSt-eS0uV1z3uIptpwR8f14X9Bi2gFUmIFD1N36Uw_k3uoR1qdq02tVsuB6WLMA0DmrlUHU573Lk0uTJngL7DqBKq22yALV_Sv7Qw_3VM/s1600/Day+8+1226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTuPlv6v32uChn_txUqSC4r9u5J-Co7Un6DdmgSt-eS0uV1z3uIptpwR8f14X9Bi2gFUmIFD1N36Uw_k3uoR1qdq02tVsuB6WLMA0DmrlUHU573Lk0uTJngL7DqBKq22yALV_Sv7Qw_3VM/s640/Day+8+1226.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking east from Mont Louis</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-large;">Day 9 to Argeles sur mer</span></div>
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50 miles and 757 feet. Descended 2917 feet</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Our wheels have turned 700 K </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">We've climbed higher than Mt. Everest; </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">Nigel's swim just made our day, </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">RAID Pyrenean - the best!</span></span></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999077446252164754.post-86940448333942270002011-06-02T08:25:00.000-07:002011-06-02T19:55:05.696-07:00China Blog - NOW WITH PHOTOS!At last I'm able to post these few bits of doggerel from Schiphol airport, Amsterdam, while waiting for my flight back to Bristol. The Chinese authorities prevent access to Google-based blogs (and to FaceBook), so I was thwarted from posting the verses contemporaneously.<br />
<br />
In the meantime - enjoy both text and photos!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999077446252164754.post-11683202029275268372011-06-02T08:20:00.000-07:002011-06-02T19:59:11.225-07:00CHINA BIKE RIDEPrologue<br />
<br />
Pre-conceptions began in Nanjing<br />
Where the Treaty of 1842<br />
Gave Hong Kong a lease from Pekin,<br />
Colonial ways conceded too.<br />
<br />
My father served on the China Station<br />
1930s - with the Royal Navy<br />
Frigates to quell trouble then would hasten<br />
Tho' time was left to play and be lazy.<br />
<br />
While gunboats patrolled upon the Yangzte<br />
Manned by young men dressed in their whites<br />
Little they thought of the future fancy<br />
Mother river being dammed, doubling heights.<br />
<br />
China leaving the gold standard<br />
Gave sailors a chance of a killing-<br />
Exchange rates aboard and to landward<br />
Profited some, with many a shilling.<br />
<br />
Now it's in China that fortunes are made<br />
Producing iPads, clothes, and even shoes.<br />
When memories of home begin to fade<br />
The artefacts come out, us to enthuse<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ5XNlZfMuBWMBH32_YWqI02y5tEp_mgAiWtwdWO1x6RdXw_aOYcr3dI52z7WAovB7DtDP_lGpMka10tBUFiq8_L14nKbkrPqHhm0QCvR7gk4OOfQQJ1cnvs7EyXahoCZat0ZcT-kVbW2y/s1600/Verdi+1124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ5XNlZfMuBWMBH32_YWqI02y5tEp_mgAiWtwdWO1x6RdXw_aOYcr3dI52z7WAovB7DtDP_lGpMka10tBUFiq8_L14nKbkrPqHhm0QCvR7gk4OOfQQJ1cnvs7EyXahoCZat0ZcT-kVbW2y/s400/Verdi+1124.jpg" width="381" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999077446252164754.post-55562648313442268272011-06-02T08:18:00.000-07:002011-06-02T18:43:23.552-07:00The first few days<b>Day One - the flight to China</b><br />
(reading China Road by Rob Gifford)<br />
<br />
Flew Air France from Charles de Gaulle<br />
Ten hours flight time to Guangzhou<br />
Realised belatedly, we're quite tall,<br />
Cramped in a 777, me and you.<br />
<br />
Clive had flown that day from Heathrow<br />
Dropped off by Linda, without his bike;<br />
"Wu liu" logistics will make things flow<br />
And Gifford's book I rather like.<br />
<br />
Our China Road will be quite different<br />
With World Expeditions at the helm;<br />
Expect to hear a lot of comment<br />
From bikes, as we tour the "realm"!<br />
<br />
Monsieur - Attachez les ceintures!<br />
Mangez francais ou a la chinoise?<br />
Worry no more about damn denture<br />
Dreamt of Verdi and his choirs.<br />
<br />
Well that's enough for just one flight<br />
Tomorrow will bring some reality<br />
And so I wish you all goodnight<br />
To dream Communist practicality.<br />
<br />
<b>Day Two - from Guangzhou to Zhaoqing</b><br />
<br />
Met by Frank who runs our agenda<br />
Hotel Canton thence by van;<br />
Team meeting with lovely Brenda,<br />
Richard, Pete and Stan the man!<br />
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Round a table trying chopsticks<br />
Drinking beer and eating rice<br />
Lazy Susan's foodie bowl mix<br />
Some of which was also nice!<br />
<br />
Drove forever through the city<br />
West along a crowded highway<br />
A car on fire, more's the pity,<br />
Disembarked at little Xiaozhou<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1T85Z3Kl3IhgGo4Peu_zEEKGeS5qvRj_Sys5HVFo00DTpz1PXo8abC75OJ0YPWTj2EwsSG_pqXe4Y8MEDHaIUfy8JHFhpKtqvxbZ0w5n3M05p1ou6ZXpuOAVbaN0zeYrgNrlLMyzCIaE1/s1600/Verdi+934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1T85Z3Kl3IhgGo4Peu_zEEKGeS5qvRj_Sys5HVFo00DTpz1PXo8abC75OJ0YPWTj2EwsSG_pqXe4Y8MEDHaIUfy8JHFhpKtqvxbZ0w5n3M05p1ou6ZXpuOAVbaN0zeYrgNrlLMyzCIaE1/s400/Verdi+934.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Now on bikes we cycled westward,<br />
An embankment was our dusty path<br />
By West River churning seaward<br />
We're having fun and quite a laugh,<br />
<br />
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<br />
Saw fisherfolk beside the water,<br />
Buffalo all caked in mud<br />
Oncoming bikes where they didn't oughter<br />
The MTB's coping with the crud.<br />
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<br />
Lunch en route, more of the same,<br />
Then scary highway, cars and roadworks<br />
Where topiary's the name of the game,<br />
To Songtao Hotel, where by a lake it lurks<br />
<br />
Over supper Frank waxed so lyrical <br />
Chiang Kai Shek and Mao Ze Dong<br />
History explained - it was political<br />
Told what fuels the current boom.<br />
<br />
Sure it ain't all communism<br />
Sick and incapable left to starve<br />
Much more rampant capitalism<br />
Rushing on, the pie to carve<br />
<br />
<b>Day three - trip to Mt Dinghu and Boading Park</b><br />
<br />
Today a rest day in the park<br />
Said Stan, but was not to be-<br />
Zhaoqing Dadao on cycles, hark!<br />
Crossed six lanes with not much glee<br />
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After lunch - more rice and chillie<br />
Climbed up on up to visit Buddha<br />
Thinking this was really hilly<br />
Tortoise coining made us gooder<br />
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Learnt from Frank the Chinese characters<br />
Meaning "environment" and "wind"<br />
5,000 minimum parameters<br />
Thousands more are there to find.<br />
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Awesome aubergine we ate tonight<br />
At last a meal to savour<br />
Chicken, cashew, pakchoi, right-<br />
And moderate behaviour!<br />
<br />
Then in the dark the stalker struck<br />
Clipboard poised, persistent bit<br />
Of unrelenting down on her luck<br />
Till poof! We did a five way split.<br />
<br />
Tomorrow there'll be lots more cycling<br />
Promised Frank, a smile upon his face<br />
9am start and no more hiking<br />
Great how well he knows this placeUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999077446252164754.post-80018370621654607062011-06-02T08:14:00.001-07:002011-06-02T19:16:08.526-07:00<b>Day 4 Zhaoqing to Qing Yuan</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3yP0FeoUXQMxsy4r1YEGH5uatKffm4eX880V1c6uI-_gsdg5JXcNfxV55l1G95yzevk-cD77IrhBJN7-Q86nDpcaUaLRDc8EfW0WG5O-EBvOSKW5cmn2Ei-Hlefhc3uEf_12EQWpTWVg-/s1600/Verdi+942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3yP0FeoUXQMxsy4r1YEGH5uatKffm4eX880V1c6uI-_gsdg5JXcNfxV55l1G95yzevk-cD77IrhBJN7-Q86nDpcaUaLRDc8EfW0WG5O-EBvOSKW5cmn2Ei-Hlefhc3uEf_12EQWpTWVg-/s400/Verdi+942.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Frank has nine lives, we discovered<br />
Leading us through traffic all swirling,<br />
The secret of pure tea uncovered,<br />
The temperature outside was boiling.<br />
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Stan's lychees were surprisingly tasty<br />
And Rick's dancing on pedals was fine<br />
Slip-streaming a tuk tuk was hasty<br />
And Brenda asked for our Zodiac sign<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmhnPt8IGls6EMj5TTymAfnpQ_hW8Kk2Js2pNUF9tYWVMBxpBbIWcYcMiqCpX0Q8ghEcV0JzjisWhFluqrz6gDs6pe7A6JJLV9Klu8Z_XEMllHVH-478u4_VZPN7WZWXjLRqEXCeemFJW4/s1600/Verdi+934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmhnPt8IGls6EMj5TTymAfnpQ_hW8Kk2Js2pNUF9tYWVMBxpBbIWcYcMiqCpX0Q8ghEcV0JzjisWhFluqrz6gDs6pe7A6JJLV9Klu8Z_XEMllHVH-478u4_VZPN7WZWXjLRqEXCeemFJW4/s400/Verdi+934.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
The picnic was simply humungous<br />
Peanut butter on slices of bread<br />
For supper we had chillie and fungus<br />
I think China's going to my head.<br />
<br />
Tonight we really had a fright<br />
As boys robbed girls right before us<br />
Clive to the rescue - what a sight!<br />
Just hope the cops will ignore us.<br />
<br />
<b>Day 5 Qing Yuan to Jiu Long</b><br />
<br />
After exiting Qing along Happy Valley<br />
We embarked once more on bikes<br />
A bit of banter, shilly shally<br />
Clive and Ken became look-a-likes!<br />
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Some hills appeared as if on cue<br />
With gradients unsympathetic<br />
The silkworm's life was mostly new,<br />
Entirely peripatetic<br />
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Karst scenery finally came and stayed<br />
While we stopped and snapped<br />
For some of us the day it made,<br />
Most other hills they capped<br />
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Rounded off in the Caves of Heaven<br />
Wearing life-jackets in a punt<br />
Well behaved, Frank's team of seven<br />
For photos we did hunt<br />
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<br />
<b>Day 6 Jiu Long to Yangshan</b><br />
<br />
Roads in China get built as you ride them,<br />
Concrete swathes disgorging in ribbons,<br />
Villagers gaze, don't seem to mind them<br />
Eager to help though nothing to sit on.<br />
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<br />
We've learnt the Chinese Rule of the Road<br />
Keep moving and do not hesitate!<br />
Accidents can happen despite the code<br />
For some today that was their fate<br />
<br />
Scooter carrying one plus two<br />
Met bike on opposite side<br />
For us there was no time to rue<br />
Went to help, but one man died.<br />
<br />
Lunch thereafter was somewhat subdued<br />
But cycling stood us in good stead,<br />
And then there was the effect of food<br />
And the prospect of a 'comfy' bed<br />
<br />
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Outside the supermarket<br />
Where Brenda and the girls had fun<br />
Making each a photo target.<br />
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Oh Chokali, that's chocolate<br />
We searched and found some Dove<br />
Hitherto I'd been disconsolate<br />
But Toblerone I'll love.<br />
<br />
<b>Day 7 Yangshan to Lianshan</b><br />
<br />
So far we've liked all the tea in China<br />
But the weather today was wet<br />
How we wished it could get finer<br />
But on that I'm not placing a bet.<br />
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<br />
<br />
So up in the van to the home of the Yao<br />
Little minority people we learnt<br />
They hadn't liked great Chairman Mao<br />
Cos he rather have had them burnt.<br />
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Fancy dress and drums they played<br />
Wearing quaint costumes of every hue,<br />
Joined us in with plans they'd laid<br />
To make Brenda dance and dress up too<br />
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Best of all were the headgear leases<br />
Arranged by the little Yao ladies<br />
Our "purchases" we found were teases,<br />
To them we were but babies!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheg9kEXV9PRlhX-JWr1r_n-pie0sA44yESKEA7QXMNW2cyx233c1Rd1WNVCgmWulVevEW6sDbn408HaZyHrwNjjDMwF-tAEWnrrHqNuewd3xlrSYorMKuWu9B8-RJxbeLhEdjfixhSmu70/s1600/Verdi+934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheg9kEXV9PRlhX-JWr1r_n-pie0sA44yESKEA7QXMNW2cyx233c1Rd1WNVCgmWulVevEW6sDbn408HaZyHrwNjjDMwF-tAEWnrrHqNuewd3xlrSYorMKuWu9B8-RJxbeLhEdjfixhSmu70/s400/Verdi+934.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b>Day 8 Lianshan to Zhongshan</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhguzafgV8xzcWQA24aBN8jpgFseJUrwC8hwD_h7q5td8YAbgn30pxlMn7dmVxi6FuosnBEXRyhWUu0Xhs7qS3fxZZQtf0_gZuJmCXPSN4cG3uAVaQe6i4GMItt8LEIDWeytgiNo3ATtfHj/s1600/Verdi+1087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhguzafgV8xzcWQA24aBN8jpgFseJUrwC8hwD_h7q5td8YAbgn30pxlMn7dmVxi6FuosnBEXRyhWUu0Xhs7qS3fxZZQtf0_gZuJmCXPSN4cG3uAVaQe6i4GMItt8LEIDWeytgiNo3ATtfHj/s400/Verdi+1087.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPAn2O0LjIjyRK4dJB0AcIrUWSWgWT0WSx3DlKbVFl1iq-SPbuSR9mgXt1aH_MYjcKBS4zy0bABgbCqq9qODfXQZctI2Jo1KKbDvZcf6g0NMA3kg5JaTOU-PMUUp8L2XZfqnJyONQSIWJ4/s1600/Verdi+1089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="190" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPAn2O0LjIjyRK4dJB0AcIrUWSWgWT0WSx3DlKbVFl1iq-SPbuSR9mgXt1aH_MYjcKBS4zy0bABgbCqq9qODfXQZctI2Jo1KKbDvZcf6g0NMA3kg5JaTOU-PMUUp8L2XZfqnJyONQSIWJ4/s400/Verdi+1089.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Tried some porridge instead of noodles<br />
But others stuck to chillie.<br />
Chinese characters seem like doodles<br />
Must learn some, and not be silly<br />
<br />
Left at nine to make the tunnel<br />
Marking the end of Canton<br />
Wet shoes still up to the gunwhale<br />
Missed the soup from Wanton.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBm2jHnCnGPkAa-pdYtayHQdzyY4dPxb4aGUzxRnYn_QYaIbPixLY6KwFXYr1K9jqC-AfaBgJNSN0RTIZZ_xEmac1jn-NjpluWKbvVqyzkxVIpNyA4TnalOqeJ71IKgrS3JqhFFfRe3lO4/s1600/Verdi+1091.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBm2jHnCnGPkAa-pdYtayHQdzyY4dPxb4aGUzxRnYn_QYaIbPixLY6KwFXYr1K9jqC-AfaBgJNSN0RTIZZ_xEmac1jn-NjpluWKbvVqyzkxVIpNyA4TnalOqeJ71IKgrS3JqhFFfRe3lO4/s400/Verdi+1091.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Ice cream stop as good as a freebie,<br />
With crowds of happy faces<br />
Wanting to stare at and touch each MTB<br />
Look us over, from head to laces<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkrsWP4BdayiOciRdlfEzC_ILkwsv5fXs13197bUyVkVaoX9HyHDu6i6se_5rqVPHZugxPVsrV3sYw2G8Rvb_HhAoyxXSoWkm6hF2_wcC-5-cx4bdLYOJoIicth-hYCEH4hhog1IYII0gR/s1600/Verdi+1090.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkrsWP4BdayiOciRdlfEzC_ILkwsv5fXs13197bUyVkVaoX9HyHDu6i6se_5rqVPHZugxPVsrV3sYw2G8Rvb_HhAoyxXSoWkm6hF2_wcC-5-cx4bdLYOJoIicth-hYCEH4hhog1IYII0gR/s400/Verdi+1090.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999077446252164754.post-51391084564894662892011-06-02T08:12:00.001-07:002011-06-02T19:38:22.924-07:00<b>Day 9 Zhongshan to Yangshuo</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh81OGwbB-vaQ-w8CNOQbSN0eSxTh4PWEKpNJZH_FO5O7Ez07krOymQv9QuZZ8yqlBudeKhFTTjj63qCIBs3wK5mmUuc5RBVRyToM3LhCy5Flt0OM4btbMhceIb-mo6E5EO_D-lYhgqpupW/s1600/Verdi+1093.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh81OGwbB-vaQ-w8CNOQbSN0eSxTh4PWEKpNJZH_FO5O7Ez07krOymQv9QuZZ8yqlBudeKhFTTjj63qCIBs3wK5mmUuc5RBVRyToM3LhCy5Flt0OM4btbMhceIb-mo6E5EO_D-lYhgqpupW/s400/Verdi+1093.jpg" width="380" /></a></div><br />
<br />
End of the line in tourist city<br />
Far too many of them, like us;<br />
Sellers seeking to sell, in the ditty!<br />
Biking before was far less fuss.<br />
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Looking for coffee and even wall-hangings,<br />
Folks from all over you are bound to meet,<br />
No soft touches, but firecracker bangings,<br />
While everyone says their goods are a treat.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9FEzmrCS9PlNeMKzTMcSUlYmuMvjEtOQB1CdKblxMi6e8YRvoU80JUGPyjYOBH1rO6B_ENvQ0ad1iObMlFPHGccD71TzEk0xipeuhxmfOWoDjRpQ5iICmh-s_2-exM9ULvEQYO-2xEaFC/s1600/Verdi+1092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9FEzmrCS9PlNeMKzTMcSUlYmuMvjEtOQB1CdKblxMi6e8YRvoU80JUGPyjYOBH1rO6B_ENvQ0ad1iObMlFPHGccD71TzEk0xipeuhxmfOWoDjRpQ5iICmh-s_2-exM9ULvEQYO-2xEaFC/s400/Verdi+1092.jpg" width="271" /></a></div>Peter the Greeter and Stanley the Man<br />
Brenda so tender and Richard the knife<br />
All are as brilliant as only they can -<br />
Frank deals so well with our trouble and strife<br />
<br />
<b>Day 10 Yanshuo - Li river bike and boat ride</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDioy_Jdrn3f0_VzzdhoO04bry4Q8UJ8Mw7DbG1Pgc40dxJxr4tVi3n6cwBZeRn40IFh4AQ4IqtXr4dIZkxLjW1mlSGWdgJODAtlW_AhBH-JKXIL_3c8v8mw7DIml89edJnl6f6R1InL8E/s1600/Verdi+1099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDioy_Jdrn3f0_VzzdhoO04bry4Q8UJ8Mw7DbG1Pgc40dxJxr4tVi3n6cwBZeRn40IFh4AQ4IqtXr4dIZkxLjW1mlSGWdgJODAtlW_AhBH-JKXIL_3c8v8mw7DIml89edJnl6f6R1InL8E/s640/Verdi+1099.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The dusty road has come and gone<br />
Replaced by sinuous tar,<br />
Made the bike ride far more fun<br />
Than travelling in a car.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3d7LPotubX8E8EJy1YO9oCSp0WmjW6_Byd_Q4XJZkPIt1eQST7t9j_AddZn0TVo3OxdaH-4H0lXdwvX5VFRaEjaHv7XTT4__ei3NlXVCZDF33-q4Zx5qx_D4f8Nf6_CpmAY_FlyvmFiLN/s1600/Verdi+1103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3d7LPotubX8E8EJy1YO9oCSp0WmjW6_Byd_Q4XJZkPIt1eQST7t9j_AddZn0TVo3OxdaH-4H0lXdwvX5VFRaEjaHv7XTT4__ei3NlXVCZDF33-q4Zx5qx_D4f8Nf6_CpmAY_FlyvmFiLN/s400/Verdi+1103.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Sure we've seen a limestone pillar<br />
And punts upon the river Li<br />
A chinese hand upon the tiller<br />
Ferrying us towards the sea<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk1ddOibIJ9XtUx3X-_ccEu6P6LUA9-2YNCwZE4rlH-ilFR2zIUo6W05g6RHt8o0zwzzsKWUpTpEESQbatVHs-ztji3i8XcIvSELdIGAJ8C7rUSmtpF71GTr3L_V65FqvUYoJOhyuFp3kY/s1600/Verdi+1102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk1ddOibIJ9XtUx3X-_ccEu6P6LUA9-2YNCwZE4rlH-ilFR2zIUo6W05g6RHt8o0zwzzsKWUpTpEESQbatVHs-ztji3i8XcIvSELdIGAJ8C7rUSmtpF71GTr3L_V65FqvUYoJOhyuFp3kY/s400/Verdi+1102.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Music sounding by the roadside<br />
Took us in to have a look.<br />
A fiddler, while our time did bide,<br />
Played a sweet melodic hook.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJADDhwHHG_fXZKD4ZlzdzoHDykqgy9oxLnHCUJpq5mT8L6g5tLKZOyftNQyZXdLgDqKlLv4Pmaz_d8C6lhX5bjT3aXy2VN-Qa06lP9CWg_o9vKlWuW31i3Rgaur8CtXq6foKFJo1WgwOt/s1600/Verdi+1100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="328" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJADDhwHHG_fXZKD4ZlzdzoHDykqgy9oxLnHCUJpq5mT8L6g5tLKZOyftNQyZXdLgDqKlLv4Pmaz_d8C6lhX5bjT3aXy2VN-Qa06lP9CWg_o9vKlWuW31i3Rgaur8CtXq6foKFJo1WgwOt/s400/Verdi+1100.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<b>Day 11 Yangshuo bike ride and cormorant show</b><br />
<br />
Last trip on the bikes, without Moon Hill<br />
And ladies selling, selling water.<br />
Of them we'd certainly had our fill<br />
Preferred riding on bricks and mortar.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_GTyjDylF_eQuFAdzmUq8Z6asTpyenqVjTzrYMjeeFGKa8hKFkVE1pOwoCw2TxrbcISg70hFviEcyAEIWbHvz8NFuKYBo6AdAo6Br8BxmD_eflY6hDfpX8Vc1w5HswOwpVOmJlKzY2AOQ/s1600/Verdi+1105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_GTyjDylF_eQuFAdzmUq8Z6asTpyenqVjTzrYMjeeFGKa8hKFkVE1pOwoCw2TxrbcISg70hFviEcyAEIWbHvz8NFuKYBo6AdAo6Br8BxmD_eflY6hDfpX8Vc1w5HswOwpVOmJlKzY2AOQ/s400/Verdi+1105.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Rode through many stunning valleys<br />
Flanked by limestone pillars<br />
Didn't stop to dilly dally<br />
Sped up and down the hilly killers.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2lBHivNtO741Sv297MNVKYxg0ozxXCG8rrxBnLOLY-0eCrwrC_0YeLPBDvEFFQ-gnepVzABipioOoWOxrlkncwbDmYFjwXexBIrXKpWiLblhLObjcJI4CwG2k3XF334vAEY2Clow3rs9Y/s1600/Verdi+1107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2lBHivNtO741Sv297MNVKYxg0ozxXCG8rrxBnLOLY-0eCrwrC_0YeLPBDvEFFQ-gnepVzABipioOoWOxrlkncwbDmYFjwXexBIrXKpWiLblhLObjcJI4CwG2k3XF334vAEY2Clow3rs9Y/s400/Verdi+1107.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Finally after dinner in the town<br />
Said goodbye to Chein and Long<br />
And the bikes we'd called our own<br />
Should have given them a service gong.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmazLDM8TDpTcZM319ZFJvfECuK-drNyRumlK0k_N_OD9TqEW1415e0h5pGVsSaZ6Hi8YJ0fIhyog6R9YEBRw6z6GqgTi9pPKBohKFBqLlyxbhYLdqQouUE8LdP7L8AI82JTwrEhVUDBV/s1600/Verdi+1104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSmazLDM8TDpTcZM319ZFJvfECuK-drNyRumlK0k_N_OD9TqEW1415e0h5pGVsSaZ6Hi8YJ0fIhyog6R9YEBRw6z6GqgTi9pPKBohKFBqLlyxbhYLdqQouUE8LdP7L8AI82JTwrEhVUDBV/s400/Verdi+1104.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Cormorants swimming in the dark<br />
Catching tiddlers in their beaks<br />
Engaging punters in the park<br />
Hoping the boat has no leaks.<br />
<br />
Glenfiddich seconds and almost thirds<br />
With raucous tales of derring-do<br />
And Ozzie tips on handling birds<br />
Or teasing those they knew how to.<br />
<br />
<b>Day 12 to Xi'an</b><br />
<br />
Stan has gone to Shangri La<br />
And Peter's off to Paris<br />
We're in Xi'an, it's not too far<br />
Frank for the food didn't tarry.<br />
<br />
<b>Day 13 Xi'an</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpmWDV3a-BdjIUTBRPPCfJ5Aks8xS9OcLJq8EjFVeqb_FnPAO5zKHbb4YWB1qQQuR_S8m9fa0rA3j-PFXzHXg_GQznHjubtjvw7zzH-JYw2N7Hao8YhBFp5oNEYFmHUCHZ-kMcUQ_s35Bd/s1600/Verdi+931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpmWDV3a-BdjIUTBRPPCfJ5Aks8xS9OcLJq8EjFVeqb_FnPAO5zKHbb4YWB1qQQuR_S8m9fa0rA3j-PFXzHXg_GQznHjubtjvw7zzH-JYw2N7Hao8YhBFp5oNEYFmHUCHZ-kMcUQ_s35Bd/s640/Verdi+931.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWN7O1qa6Da40lDPb1VQG-6Z8DowvQdKv1oasSZfZS2mdaEzNyx6F4wcqFKbIhyat14YdXi72Fu7P2m2Zg_afmakL-kt_Y8cI0ka-rrBxbkJT-Q2J4Mi_9Bmd_cBZrSYCg6VIx-SajKmN-/s1600/Verdi+1113.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWN7O1qa6Da40lDPb1VQG-6Z8DowvQdKv1oasSZfZS2mdaEzNyx6F4wcqFKbIhyat14YdXi72Fu7P2m2Zg_afmakL-kt_Y8cI0ka-rrBxbkJT-Q2J4Mi_9Bmd_cBZrSYCg6VIx-SajKmN-/s400/Verdi+1113.jpg" width="347" /></a></div><br />
Warriors all made from terra cotta,<br />
Pagoda's wild goose chase,<br />
269 steps, got hotter and hotter,<br />
Umbrellas and flimsy lace.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Us6Y-e_hD3x9nw5d4TNpLhk29H8c-GzisTYCIxKARfSwIlAcssT1c0E3wPuui1mmLGlO7YjjX3ejWkb-WD99xnRJu5zsRJoAvfHpgAuP2pxjuunR2LnSIVuwY7D7HhaDA38HuOyPAMPB/s1600/Verdi+1112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Us6Y-e_hD3x9nw5d4TNpLhk29H8c-GzisTYCIxKARfSwIlAcssT1c0E3wPuui1mmLGlO7YjjX3ejWkb-WD99xnRJu5zsRJoAvfHpgAuP2pxjuunR2LnSIVuwY7D7HhaDA38HuOyPAMPB/s400/Verdi+1112.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<b>Day 14 Xi'an</b><br />
<br />
Up on the ramparts round Xi'an City<br />
At first it rained and then it didn't<br />
Cycling/touring - like Walter Mitty;<br />
Hired bikes - change gear they wouldn't!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRvbrElCTRW9gWHKMMQstOK-hiDT7MdfpAbAQP-8UDrpP8ZSMyLzSULLphFc2PFjkd3bhtWw7fhOKqBv0sikkhxhRrcdXnt_fkm4snXn0Sk0FWVI3WSM2oMYqietYYFevk9X4EI_A6Qmkh/s1600/Verdi+939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRvbrElCTRW9gWHKMMQstOK-hiDT7MdfpAbAQP-8UDrpP8ZSMyLzSULLphFc2PFjkd3bhtWw7fhOKqBv0sikkhxhRrcdXnt_fkm4snXn0Sk0FWVI3WSM2oMYqietYYFevk9X4EI_A6Qmkh/s320/Verdi+939.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk3vDuEa70XsdIpbnekolRaSS-qeI5GdHf9PPZ6_rEnzT8CINthen2qlNpsP2lYCT1FsEeDDz3TbhYdVd7fMjnviAsokx_LI2Fgq6RBYDQ-tp5E1MrWr5ZgbeQpaX-FtFLYYuArmhNNcWy/s1600/Verdi+1117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk3vDuEa70XsdIpbnekolRaSS-qeI5GdHf9PPZ6_rEnzT8CINthen2qlNpsP2lYCT1FsEeDDz3TbhYdVd7fMjnviAsokx_LI2Fgq6RBYDQ-tp5E1MrWr5ZgbeQpaX-FtFLYYuArmhNNcWy/s320/Verdi+1117.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_sClHpPtNyIvF67FDTJbojh0wmj0hc739SpaybCBe7YZhyphenhyphenANRhFMM2RGAaMB5-jEv7ACQ0sm7BnwEd2DqCVMV2g5PISAoekjLhLMfbkxykytfDiofVCArSsxfQ3eqGGvzVrbcDUoysIk1/s1600/Verdi+1118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_sClHpPtNyIvF67FDTJbojh0wmj0hc739SpaybCBe7YZhyphenhyphenANRhFMM2RGAaMB5-jEv7ACQ0sm7BnwEd2DqCVMV2g5PISAoekjLhLMfbkxykytfDiofVCArSsxfQ3eqGGvzVrbcDUoysIk1/s400/Verdi+1118.jpg" width="368" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999077446252164754.post-70395469018328635882011-06-02T08:06:00.000-07:002011-06-02T19:48:15.763-07:00Beijing<b>Day 15 to Beijing</b><br />
<br />
Trainfull of Danes built for rugger<br />
Thro' the night, a prayer on a wing,<br />
The Emperor was a horny old bugger -<br />
First thoughts of weary, ancient Beijing.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8o_NO117RYt67-26qJT2tmhQM_x-x4xquXmLNdYyzrGLKGmefXMQAtDhDbO4Sr3gBUMxsaDkRkZUk9OG3us3P6wcNFZ2hWr6FaPNAxTxyddBm4cJEjaJie8tGMT1MwiZskoXvcs6xPRdE/s1600/Verdi+1120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8o_NO117RYt67-26qJT2tmhQM_x-x4xquXmLNdYyzrGLKGmefXMQAtDhDbO4Sr3gBUMxsaDkRkZUk9OG3us3P6wcNFZ2hWr6FaPNAxTxyddBm4cJEjaJie8tGMT1MwiZskoXvcs6xPRdE/s400/Verdi+1120.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_8wAmgEfrbTUWem7fOSuDo0NH7ZKtESpkasxVEA_ObwAqQnX-xtF1D3KA8HlfrgCdpnWLerh_4UHGIJndPKmm26uEU4-kZl8KWp6Yljm9WjEvtAVpZKk2VEI5Yv_kyE5uX0K8ZsZ0vhR0/s1600/Verdi+1121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_8wAmgEfrbTUWem7fOSuDo0NH7ZKtESpkasxVEA_ObwAqQnX-xtF1D3KA8HlfrgCdpnWLerh_4UHGIJndPKmm26uEU4-kZl8KWp6Yljm9WjEvtAVpZKk2VEI5Yv_kyE5uX0K8ZsZ0vhR0/s320/Verdi+1121.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Tiananmen Square and Old Mao's tomb<br />
Belie the huge development <br />
Fuelled by the colossal boom<br />
That'll make it China's firmament.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM1M-7fcQjT5w0AVpzR4XMbgMUaocXUW2OhwWqDOMiSFSb4MkQLH8UE69yB7awVwjkSYoCdK9I0lF9pc4uOxHVohAXumap9vbfCJrXjh6ohfPNd1ERskkwgcgJX6vMqhR3mrXyHYSYPAnQ/s1600/Verdi+1122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM1M-7fcQjT5w0AVpzR4XMbgMUaocXUW2OhwWqDOMiSFSb4MkQLH8UE69yB7awVwjkSYoCdK9I0lF9pc4uOxHVohAXumap9vbfCJrXjh6ohfPNd1ERskkwgcgJX6vMqhR3mrXyHYSYPAnQ/s400/Verdi+1122.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><b><br />
</b><br />
<b>Day 16 The Great Wall</b><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWC3QenQ1SDl4UEkbhowmf1j2t5kHkQ4rGdj8LstmLfjh0wdLprMoFu-RzxWVO_fSDujIENpF4nCqFZT2NAoNhxKA-RHfUOeYjwxa0GuNsDvJjx7JdGzOEG8Dhadf8ZI_ttfZWYMJLA6ar/s1600/Verdi+1123.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="632" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWC3QenQ1SDl4UEkbhowmf1j2t5kHkQ4rGdj8LstmLfjh0wdLprMoFu-RzxWVO_fSDujIENpF4nCqFZT2NAoNhxKA-RHfUOeYjwxa0GuNsDvJjx7JdGzOEG8Dhadf8ZI_ttfZWYMJLA6ar/s640/Verdi+1123.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
Up multiple steps, through seas of hawkers<br />
We found this impressive, rice-glued wall -<br />
With forts for archers bowling yorkers<br />
Against Mongolians they didn't like at all.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1UPt0SxfP2rVdZzqMrJVwdfAPZLU25arb2tc-YzLZV0IqWC5-HIhXnCkEW2uus7W9zy7Kay1PNrCCAhYTgywyTMvc3XYJcl-Fib3Xjl6WR6pTO1OEVuiSuQu80z3SxWIb85UqGOEDg_Xk/s1600/Verdi+1125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1UPt0SxfP2rVdZzqMrJVwdfAPZLU25arb2tc-YzLZV0IqWC5-HIhXnCkEW2uus7W9zy7Kay1PNrCCAhYTgywyTMvc3XYJcl-Fib3Xjl6WR6pTO1OEVuiSuQu80z3SxWIb85UqGOEDg_Xk/s400/Verdi+1125.jpg" width="376" /></a></div><br />
So up and down and along we went<br />
Till the hill sign said Hollywood<br />
In Chinese, that's what it meant -<br />
For photographs we posed and stood.<br />
<br />
Describe our consternation<br />
When a bride and groom we found,<br />
Beyond wildest imagination<br />
For adverts, I'll be bound<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_MrB6LJX_aSjCqeNhIu_V-OI5B-9vTEHn9zvYLeX3fPECKrHLSlMtHV8zpTO4ug01KB1MpE6KsLYhEB8kHhsunwO8u9usIL_SKHGgXH_mwdRQtj1d5xfnc1hn1CSwyJAiqIc4Y9ZzLZRo/s1600/Verdi+983.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_MrB6LJX_aSjCqeNhIu_V-OI5B-9vTEHn9zvYLeX3fPECKrHLSlMtHV8zpTO4ug01KB1MpE6KsLYhEB8kHhsunwO8u9usIL_SKHGgXH_mwdRQtj1d5xfnc1hn1CSwyJAiqIc4Y9ZzLZRo/s320/Verdi+983.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Lunch on the way back home -<br />
The Dong Jiao Min Xiang place<br />
Pretty posh and then some,<br />
Somewhere to stay and not lose face.<br />
<br />
<b>Day 17 - Last day in Beijing</b><br />
<br />
"Not luxurious imagination"<br />
But a walk around the lake<br />
Summer Palace a fascination,<br />
Caligraphy lessons I did take.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDbQXIhx0oo3p7G8GIM0z3f2VTYiBb_tLNSDBJN85fid4wnaUnldzlqIWXN_1LPdxw9gK4xThmYB1iVGsv6ShAWzlD_sA9rhpluDdLtCoS6Ck4FglD6RpNniC-g5ftorcICC-_xhxKViIH/s1600/Verdi+1129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="367" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDbQXIhx0oo3p7G8GIM0z3f2VTYiBb_tLNSDBJN85fid4wnaUnldzlqIWXN_1LPdxw9gK4xThmYB1iVGsv6ShAWzlD_sA9rhpluDdLtCoS6Ck4FglD6RpNniC-g5ftorcICC-_xhxKViIH/s400/Verdi+1129.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Seen the biggest Buddha in the world,<br />
Peking duck tonight we'll get<br />
Lahma'd out and flags all furled<br />
For the airport we're all set.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999077446252164754.post-81622629565750344342011-06-02T07:58:00.001-07:002011-06-03T23:56:33.041-07:00Postscript<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikh5MvpMqLXD9u6o16wmHJV_tBmws8Oep6OVSY8Ff5s03_vZilDkPZ6qTcfN8EqPMxuOJUF4uSSQhaq1371lt1ucXdjpXUxF5wtkubUL9N3HtGfQ26Wr285lMkWDCaWUxRSijwj1OjYk-T/s1600/Music+by+Beijing+Summer+Palace+Lake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikh5MvpMqLXD9u6o16wmHJV_tBmws8Oep6OVSY8Ff5s03_vZilDkPZ6qTcfN8EqPMxuOJUF4uSSQhaq1371lt1ucXdjpXUxF5wtkubUL9N3HtGfQ26Wr285lMkWDCaWUxRSijwj1OjYk-T/s400/Music+by+Beijing+Summer+Palace+Lake.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
Well, China was quite amazing<br />
The old, the new, and ever onwards;<br />
We'll teach our kids some Mandarin<br />
In 70 years they may be landlords.<br />
<br />
Say a thank to World Expeditions<br />
They did us proud and found the bikes<br />
To deal with every road condition,<br />
Sorted all our likes and dislikes.<br />
<br />
Frank gets the prize for guide superior<br />
Became a friend, no apologist,<br />
We never suspected a motive ulterior,<br />
He goes straight to the top of the list.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0XZct91wQ4OF_mFXniy2xweoj9MUeEOrwcYQ21BgFooos4KCrnwAFrG-w3nwf1L1rhNKExH35oguhYfLqjlGC4AorDQXK7HBuY8Abdw7Kse1eqmPQMhTSoN0sqXQIcr1g5VMn1ZP6exXf/s1600/Verdi+1128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0XZct91wQ4OF_mFXniy2xweoj9MUeEOrwcYQ21BgFooos4KCrnwAFrG-w3nwf1L1rhNKExH35oguhYfLqjlGC4AorDQXK7HBuY8Abdw7Kse1eqmPQMhTSoN0sqXQIcr1g5VMn1ZP6exXf/s400/Verdi+1128.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 20px;"></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Glutinous rice is the name of the game!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Hotel is called it, Wall is cemented</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">With lime; but it's food just the same.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If I see any more, I'll go demented.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tonight cooked a steak on the barbie,</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jamie's spuds, steamed courgettes and leek.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Tomorrow I'm watching the Derby -</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Of chopsticks I'm unlikely to speak.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Yet - and yet - China's so big.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It's colossal and growing so fast.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">From cultural oblivion, they're something to dig.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One thing's for sure, they'll never be last.</div><div><br />
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999077446252164754.post-10826268491420345362011-06-02T07:54:00.000-07:002011-06-02T07:54:52.788-07:00Well, back in Europe againMy intentions to post a blog on a regular basis from China were thwarted, as China does not permit access to this Google-based blog - nor does it allow access to FaceBook. So, I am now posting a rerospective blog from Schipol airport, while waiting for the plane to Bristol.<br />
Enjoy!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999077446252164754.post-88438654335111268652011-05-15T13:24:00.000-07:002011-05-15T13:24:54.745-07:00Charles de Gaulle airport - Paris, FranceClive arrived at Gate E34 first and was munching a ham ciabbata when I got there, having been detained in the Virgin mobile phone shop! He reports that no iPad 2's were to be had in eithe Heathrow or Paris cdg. Equally, I can report a dirth of Motorola Milestone XT720's, which I am told is the latest smartphone to arrive from the USA.<br />
Read the first few pages of China Road, by Rob Gifford on the plane from Bristol. He tells me that the Chinese have emigrated in their millions from the countryside to the cities - and we are going in the opposite direction, with a bit of luck. I haddn't fully appreciated that we as a nation seem to have behaved rather poorly during the colonial days when Shanghai etc were colonial outposts. Clive takes his pragmatic view that in those days we did as we thought appropriate. Doesn't hold with retrospective apologies. What does he think about slavery, I ask<br />
To be continued!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999077446252164754.post-16748100445340991272011-05-13T14:21:00.000-07:002011-05-13T15:01:29.109-07:002011 Trip 2 ChinaDepart Bristol Sunday 15th May for Paris - there to meet Clive and catch the connecting flight to Guangzhou, where we are scheduled to land at 1655 Monday 16th. First night at Hotel Canton, 374 Beijing Road - tel 020-83189888<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Start of another long bike ride!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhemM62lqun4pfYS54wH8Kb9wB2n0hza7ld2jQHUhiXx8UyFnUxp7lpjZT011ubPfQGEdwqlQuiD0SnVBIH8alF7sVEqdpA_Ri-48oMfAA7o6su38_iTfpjX6JV32FNoa_-reBis72PzATF/s1600/Mail+Attachment-2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhemM62lqun4pfYS54wH8Kb9wB2n0hza7ld2jQHUhiXx8UyFnUxp7lpjZT011ubPfQGEdwqlQuiD0SnVBIH8alF7sVEqdpA_Ri-48oMfAA7o6su38_iTfpjX6JV32FNoa_-reBis72PzATF/s1600/Mail+Attachment-2.jpeg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the itinerary!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999077446252164754.post-46179054963275108292011-05-13T13:49:00.000-07:002011-05-13T14:45:45.949-07:002011 Trip 1 - South Africa<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2bGfKA4R72AwRmam2zF8eHQ1AuckKSOnMyREI_eyX2Xpm6i-B2rnuxpYLFS_DMIsn3NUwRZ0K1reLde9AkZhjK7mp4RXvhpzmrn6b4CcWf0HhaJ77YWrUWFovmdsUnbh1ApD2_5WYTCa9/s1600/Argus_2011-_Argus_2011-6112244_DSC_3932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2bGfKA4R72AwRmam2zF8eHQ1AuckKSOnMyREI_eyX2Xpm6i-B2rnuxpYLFS_DMIsn3NUwRZ0K1reLde9AkZhjK7mp4RXvhpzmrn6b4CcWf0HhaJ77YWrUWFovmdsUnbh1ApD2_5WYTCa9/s320/Argus_2011-_Argus_2011-6112244_DSC_3932.JPG" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Suikerbosse</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The Cape Argus ride 2011 was cycled in perfect conditions, as can be seen from these pictures. 68 miles through heavenly views, beside the Atlantic and the Indian oceans, and starting and finishing under Table Mountain, one of the world's most iconic sights. The pictures show two of the climbs - Suikerbosse, which came at the end of the ride, shortly after Chapman's Peak. There were tens of thousands of riders, with about a thousand from overseas. We were given a favoured start time, in the middle of the pack. The other local entrants were all seeded, in accordance with their prowess in earlier seeding events up and down the country. Prior to the schedulede ride, we trained in Franschhoek, Montagu and Swellendam, with a day ride on the Bainskloof Pass that we'd ridden on three years ago. We cycled that twice in the same day, for good measure!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chapman's Peak</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTH7lbqpZUvOPoHd9kpBEr_bGeAc_kqGlxeUd95r10Ch4aA04LTMv75tzJ8FAMdUFhTJX_1TLfGkNz0hsA1tt1cZxd68gGvfasy7yubu6eRQ2Gb25Yq0TgvyGQlklMnEnUabZ5UlQTwDiQ/s1600/screen-capture-5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTH7lbqpZUvOPoHd9kpBEr_bGeAc_kqGlxeUd95r10Ch4aA04LTMv75tzJ8FAMdUFhTJX_1TLfGkNz0hsA1tt1cZxd68gGvfasy7yubu6eRQ2Gb25Yq0TgvyGQlklMnEnUabZ5UlQTwDiQ/s640/screen-capture-5.png" width="570" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cyclemeter record of the actual ride (route was clockwise)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYqgflRfPEFcUR7zIU7okO2BITjK3yueT4seX_j86HkmDlrJYyS7clteduJTBCFATfCcZjR5KsdqqiIQNQAssw5pV7K6-97XjCC2fVND79aCQjt7ShnUYuH3oCsstPbLFaAX_jBNFWpuv4/s1600/Argus_2011-_Argus_2011-12122130_DSC_7788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYqgflRfPEFcUR7zIU7okO2BITjK3yueT4seX_j86HkmDlrJYyS7clteduJTBCFATfCcZjR5KsdqqiIQNQAssw5pV7K6-97XjCC2fVND79aCQjt7ShnUYuH3oCsstPbLFaAX_jBNFWpuv4/s640/Argus_2011-_Argus_2011-12122130_DSC_7788.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Started and finished with Clive - 4hrs 40 mins</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHXICNIq4uZrV-Frjhj2MbKlMGAN6Yf2NVu-34DyK8f30X9WSn2jPHb0nLifZU0AJth1y7PCWkLHCY2pYgeioi7s3Nro4NA2-D7P_IDAFUpqA_awg8JtO8JsM5LOOrK_4_hfP252zEovQ7/s1600/screen-capture-17.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHXICNIq4uZrV-Frjhj2MbKlMGAN6Yf2NVu-34DyK8f30X9WSn2jPHb0nLifZU0AJth1y7PCWkLHCY2pYgeioi7s3Nro4NA2-D7P_IDAFUpqA_awg8JtO8JsM5LOOrK_4_hfP252zEovQ7/s1600/screen-capture-17.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Training schedule leading up to the Cape Argus ride<br />
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</tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5999077446252164754.post-44984887471037096892010-07-24T15:21:00.000-07:002010-07-27T01:40:12.460-07:00Trip to the Col du Tourmalet<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmbw-xyGkAsymJbWZa5jiJOIESRMZie8SDUFRZocsec2f7jsDi5jFdgbah3AX86js9tKPiFsKtSkWF_pCFsABNzqcgUw_BJRwhejiTyxtkuvgLaPMgaerWdbWKY2HpYi2gjj8lv7H-ah1U/s1600/screen-capture-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmbw-xyGkAsymJbWZa5jiJOIESRMZie8SDUFRZocsec2f7jsDi5jFdgbah3AX86js9tKPiFsKtSkWF_pCFsABNzqcgUw_BJRwhejiTyxtkuvgLaPMgaerWdbWKY2HpYi2gjj8lv7H-ah1U/s400/screen-capture-2.png" width="363" /></a></div>The evening before Stage 15 of the Tour de France, at a restaurant in Lourdes, we met two nice German TV journalists who had been following the tour for some 15 years. They advised driving to Argelès-Gazost, parking the car and then cycling to the Col through Luz-Saint Sauveur, some 11.8 miles away.<br />
This I did the next morning and ascended the Col as far as Belpouey (some 3,000 feet of climb) before I was prevented from completing the ride by the Gendarmerie, because of the proximity of the Tour riders and their entertainment caravan. The furthest I got is shown on the following picture. I sat on the steps with a white haired cyclist camping nearby in a tent, whose longest ride was over 200 miles, to present a letter to Margaret Thatcher in 10 Downing Street on behalf of unemployed in the North!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfjzMbPcCdKbXbHTiR2UX4zp6G2WbSZGcu8bMRbUSTGpZD_PefzmpuxKBKkCHdd2V6VYzX4gb73Jl3BjSMdRVtUv2_cf2WQWChJJPoBE7gwbUffrT8oGyHuznPAMW2kljO3fPSjpZ2MJev/s1600/screen-capture.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfjzMbPcCdKbXbHTiR2UX4zp6G2WbSZGcu8bMRbUSTGpZD_PefzmpuxKBKkCHdd2V6VYzX4gb73Jl3BjSMdRVtUv2_cf2WQWChJJPoBE7gwbUffrT8oGyHuznPAMW2kljO3fPSjpZ2MJev/s320/screen-capture.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The top was not so far away as shown on the inset:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqYWRSDhn02fXQzmtWVCnQP-DkE6UPec6R4E-bCEZPZI5aDjrkOKtPcgKSa7Ai54yMjJ-8hZw6CPAdUv7TNPAZI-3W5L3EqCvL0rsHLSkPKxUBHlxJBR_r3UT90u8VP-AC9n0Luz5X9ZV2/s1600/screen-capture-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqYWRSDhn02fXQzmtWVCnQP-DkE6UPec6R4E-bCEZPZI5aDjrkOKtPcgKSa7Ai54yMjJ-8hZw6CPAdUv7TNPAZI-3W5L3EqCvL0rsHLSkPKxUBHlxJBR_r3UT90u8VP-AC9n0Luz5X9ZV2/s320/screen-capture-1.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I then decided to descend back through the little villages I had passed through, in order to watch the riders pass by. Once again I was stopped in the descent by the gendarmerie, this time just below Luz Saint Sauveur, at the following spot:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrkyHAjA__BnF6nonQD3accouhNU41pFaoxEJ5XwprD1Y2yigkFIMAPZ4E4s3DgrPJvawsqPgWvQCn77GNzWkw6g1HUxoe1x1_upU9_bwljkWzogijpq0LAooipQqybWlIQhmUPJbJA6Am/s1600/screen-capture-4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrkyHAjA__BnF6nonQD3accouhNU41pFaoxEJ5XwprD1Y2yigkFIMAPZ4E4s3DgrPJvawsqPgWvQCn77GNzWkw6g1HUxoe1x1_upU9_bwljkWzogijpq0LAooipQqybWlIQhmUPJbJA6Am/s320/screen-capture-4.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It turned out to be a great place to film the riders coming past.</div><br />
<object height="640" width="505"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/FxYykUniKrQ&hl=en_US&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/FxYykUniKrQ&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="505"></embed></object><br />
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