The Fridays tour - Normandy 15th-22nd June

[mmmmartin]

In the chateau. It's HUGE. we need to rethink the route from Cherbourg to remove the off-road sections but think gresn fields traffic free roads, loads of scenic bits. All v pretty. On arrival it became obvious they knew Agent Hilda was wuth us as there was Champagne in the fridge. And for Poor People such as me there was beer. Oh and red wine. All this has gone I suspect. Bikes are muddy from the "road" on the maps that was actually a muddy track. There is wi-fi at the chateau. No security just sign in. If this is posted then the wifi works.

 

[mmmmartin]

DZ keen to do a 70 miler today. Agent Hilda's bike needs fettling as the hanger was bashed on the boat so the big ring is unobtainable and that needs fixing. So up to fix that. Then a long day. Also shopping to do. By the end of this I might need a rest.

 

[StuartG]

There is wi-fi at the chateau. No security just sign in. If this is posted then the wifi works.

Dire à la Dame du château que je tiens à avoir mes bébés...

 

[StuAff]

In The ENGLISH Channel. The French bloke in charge has just put a large concrete block on the fast pedal and we are motoring like A Dellzeqq on A Pinarello Colnago down Ditchling Beacon in search of a Huge Breakfast. Probably soon be out of range of the interwebs so farewell forever friends. Dell and Gordon are gazing fondly at a map. With routes drawn on it. Looks like I might have to pay attention soon.

Fixed for you by The Fridays Proper Italian-as-in-actually-made-in-Italy-not-made-in-Taiwan Bike Section.

 

[StuartG]

You're bringing babies with you?

Bl**dy Babelfish

 

[Andrew Br]

You're bringing babies with you?

I was thinking that's a conversation best had with Diana.


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[mmmmartin]

Worked out a fantastic ride. On lanes that, in the unlikely event of seeing a car, you ride on the right. Saw about three cars in an hour this morning. Lighthouses. Waves. Big sky. Huge lunch. Massive gentle downhill to Cherbourg. Pretty villages. 20 minute ride to restaurant that does great grub. Full of locals. All v friendly. Four courses five peeps wine cider beers etc cheese dessert. E23 each. Ride back was uphill but seemed downhill. This may have been a cider-related conundrum so a further investigation may be needed. Also looked at The Chateau proper. Think big rooms. A different era. Animal heads on walls. A Grand Piano (not sure if in tune....) Bells that can be rung by pulling on a rope. Unfortunately there is a French flag hanging in the hall. But we can burn that if we want to. Or replace it with A Proper Flag

 

[Andrew Br]

. Unfortunately there is a French flag hanging in the hall.

It's not unfortunate, it just "is".
Good work on the rest of the reccy.


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[mmmmartin]

72 miles. Magic lanes. Flat coastal lanes no traffic. Great sea views. Lovely lunch stop discovered. Dellzeqq and Gordon now determined to get bread every morning as the boulangerie lady is v gorgeous it seems. Now noshing Huge Salad in the house. Been v sunny. All have red faces. Agent Hilda says this is all hard work. Our sacrifices are innumerable.

 

[StuAff]

72 miles. Magic lanes. Flat coastal lanes no traffic. Great sea views. Lovely lunch stop discovered. Dellzeqq and Gordon now determined to get bread every morning as the boulangerie lady is v gorgeous it seems. Now noshing Huge Salad in the house. Been v sunny. All have red faces. Agent Hilda says this is all hard work. Our sacrifices are innumerable.

We applaud your sacrifices.







You lucky, lucky b.........................

 

[mmmmartin]

V different day. Rained much of the time. Heavy sometimes. Also headwind. dell worked out a very pretty way to the flat roads of the coastal area. gordon is a fab navigator in this maze of tiny lanes. agent hilda now unnervingly quick on hills. Road on the return was a real delight. Many hills but all very short ie rolling wooded meadow type green countryside. Lush forests. Cows. Small rivers. Lovely riding. 50 miles. Also found delightful village with fish and chip shop. We ate in a crepe place. I had good fish soup. Dellzeqq had oysters. Agent Hilda unsure whether to be happy or nervous.

 

[Andrew Br]

Agent Hilda unsure whether to be happy or nervous.

Please report on their respective performances (on the bikes) tomorrow.

.

 

[Flying Dodo]

Message from DZ:-

A delightful fifty miler and back to the chateau for smoked salmon and champagne. Such are the sacrifices the recce crew are making on your behalf.

Grrrr.

 

[srw]

A Grand Piano (not sure if in tune....)

If in tune then we shall have jolly post-riding singsongs around the piano. If not in tune the post-riding singsongs will be rather less jolly.

Please discover the in-tunedness!

 

[StuAff]

Don't fret srw, after a few of the as-yet unspecified beers no one will notice. In fact it could be even more jolly come to think of it.

Or potentially excruciating. Depending on one's perspective.

Memo to self: Bring ear plugs and earphones, thus allowing the choice of silencing poor performances or drowning them out .