Postcards from Provence and beyond

Its been a whistle-stop last few days, but all of a sudden, we know where, when and how our summer cycling adventure will start. As ever, we have given ourselves plenty of planning time, as it starts this Friday!

In 4 days time, we’ll be on our way. Let me explain why this all may seem a bit rushed…..

From the beginning of the year, we had planned to cycle from Provence, back to the UK, for the summer. We will be spending July and August there, doing events, with my jewellery, before hopping back on our bikes, to cycle home again. A little, or probably a long ‘aller-retour’ that will see us take us two different ways through France, on a bigger adventure than we have done before.

We know the dates of the summer events – the first is the Exeter Craft Festival in early July, and the last is in late August. The only uncertainty has been the start date, and which way we will go.

But finally, we have the answer, thanks to a thrilling 80 minutes of rugby that was played in Colomiers, 2 nights ago. We couldnt be there, but were glued to the TV, screaming, yelling and whooping, as our team, Provence Rugby, secured a place in the ProD2 Final, which will take place in Toulouse, next Saturday.

I know it may sound utterly mad that we have been waiting for rugby results, before we finalise our plans for the summer, but watching rugby is a big passion of ours, and we always knew that we would follow Provence to the end of the season, whatever form it took.

Having pedalled to Angoulême on our long ride home last summer,  to watch Provence play the first match of the season, before cycling on to watch their first home match in Aix too, it seems only right to start the next adventure with a rugby match as well

So, we have been waiting, watching and supporting the team, with half a mind on what the results would mean for our plans. And after celebrating their win, on Friday night, we could finally start making the final plans for our trip. It just means that we have to start on Friday, so after months of wondering, we have now got just a few days to get everything together.

The first task was go try to get seats for the Final, and as I was wandering around Apt Market, yesterday, the email arrived to say bookings had opened. I found a quiet spot, popped my baskets down,  hid away and a few minutes later, had managedto buy 2 tickets. So the first part of the adventure was in place.

In the mean time, Andy was on a train, at the start of a long day of travelling, looking at ways of getting to Toulouse, in time for the match, as we wouldn’t have time to pedal there.

Within 20 minutes, the plans were in place. We had tickets for the match, had booked a train for us and the bikes, and had reserved a small apartment in the centre of Toulouse too. The start of the adventure was now set in stone..

This is only the first step though, as although we know we will be in Toulouse, in just a few days time, we still don’t know what form the ride will take from there. Again, it depends on the result.

If we win, life will be not only very happy, but very simple too, as we can just start pedalling north, making our way, over 3 weeks, along a so far, unplanned route, back to Roscoff. But if we lose, then we will have to start by pedalling back to Provence, for another match. A second bite at the cherry for promotion, in a game that will take place, back in Aix, before we start making our way through France, to catch the ferry.

So, although we have the start of the adventure, that is all we do know, and the final route is still up in the air. In many ways, it’s like watching a rugby ball come to ground, and not knowing, in which direction it will bounce.

It may be incredibly uncertain, but there is a joy in that, and it’s all part of the fun. This way, we can follow where life takes us, and enjoy the adventure that will bring, rather than getting frustrated, if well-made plans have to be changed.

Some basic plans have been made though. After the puncture nightmare, which brought our last ride to a shuddering stop for Andy, when we cycled back from Avignon, at the start of the month, I’ve spent time finding a different route through, hoping to avoid the roads that caused all the damage.

I have also decided to plan a route out of Toulouse, which will suit both the start of a ride back to Provence, and the trip up to Roscoff too. So we know what we will be doing from Friday through to Sunday evening, but beyond that, we haven’t got a clue.

Part of me wants to plan a perfect route back to Provence, that we really look forward to doing if Provence lose, in the hope that the Universe will conspire against me, but I know life doesn’t work like that.

So we have a mad week ahead, making sure that everything is packed and loaded, in time for us to set off, early on Friday morning.

All I know is that it will be a busy few days, and an exciting weekend, whatever the result, and we’re just looking forward to getting started now.

This time next week, the result will be known and the next stage of the adventure will be underway. We know we’ll be spending the Sunday night somewhere above Castelnaudary, but after that, who knows.

We hope you’ll enjoy coming on this next journey with us, wherever it takes us.

If you enjoy the blogs you may like to support the fundraising efforts of our good friend, Jessy Leyrolles-O’Connor, who is taking part in Ventoux Contre le Cancer, at the start of September.

Over the last few years Jessy has undergone extensive treatment for colorectal cancer, and is currently training to ride the Giant of Provence, to help raise funds to support work on cancer research and care.

Through everything she has faced, she has always remained positive and is looking forward to taking in this challenge. She recently posted the below, sharing information on her journey towards tackling this iconic mountain climb.

Heading towards September 5th: Ventoux Against Cancer

All this progress is no accident. It has a purpose, a guiding light for my training. On September 5th, I will be at the starting line of Ventoux Against Cancer.
Climbing this Giant of Provence, this legendary Mont Ventoux, is not just a personal sporting challenge. It’s a positive act of defiance, a surge of solidarity to raise funds, to advance research, and to tell all those fighting that hope is still there, at the summit.

Immense gratitude to our community
I will also accomplish this climb thanks to the generosity of those who believe in this fight. A huge, heartfelt thank you to my recent donors…  Your support propels me upward and gives even more meaning to every kilometer covered. You are with me on the climb.

Illness has been part of my story, but it’s life, sport, love, and your support that write the next chapter. See you at the top. ‍♀️❤️

We aren’t able to take part in the event ourselves, as we will be on our ride back to Provence, from the UK, but if you would like to follow Jessy’s journey and help support her fundraising efforts, You can donate here

But for now, we have some packing to do !