This morning started early, when we pulled up the blinds of the beautiful Chambres D’Hote that we had stayed in in Pons, and sat in bed watching the swifts playing around the church tower behind us. We sat, scouring the weather forecasts, trying to see what would be the best route to take, as we … More Saddlebag of Memories.. Day 8 … Pons to Coutras
Our day off in La Rochelle flew by far too quickly and it just reinforced how much we love the place and we are already plotting when we may be able to come back for another little visit (with the bikes of course) Our original thinking had been that we would take the ferry out … More Saddlebag of Memories…Day 7 … La Rochelle to Pons
What an incredible first day’s ride we’ve had from East Devon, across Dartmoor to Plymouth, and I’m writing this, now that we’re through check-in and waiting to board the night ferry to Roscoff. I’ve only just admitted to Andy that I was actually rather worried about today, as I’d only ever ridden as far as … More Saddlebag of Memories Cycle Ride…Day 1 over Dartmoor to Plymouth
The days are ticking down and after so many false starts, it finally looks as if our long-hoped for ‘Saddlebag of Memories’ bike ride is actually going to happen. It’s nearly 7 years since Andy rode the Velodyssey with the boys on a Moor to Med cycling adventure down the west coast of France, whilst … More Cycling with a Saddlebag of Memories… 2 days to go
After a busy week back in the UK, when we fitted so much in, that it felt as if we kept meeting ourselves coming back in the opposite direction, we are finally back home in Provence, and starting to plan for the next stage of work on the house, finally decorating the living room. It … More Bikes, Fifi and a smile on our faces
So the day has finally dawned and today saw the Tour de France head to Provence for an epic stage, which would see the riders tackle the ‘Giant of Provence’, Mont Ventoux twice in a day’s stage. As I started writing this, it was 7.15am in Devon, and I got my first message from Andy … More An Epic Day – Tour De France on Mont Ventoux
Next week the Tour De France passes through some of our favourite villages and along some of our favourite roads.. passing through the lavender fields it will be spectacular, and I will be watching it from the sofa back in the UK! … More Travelling, Testing and the Tour De France
We are so lucky, living where we do, as the roads around us are often used for professional cycle races, including the Tour de France. Since buying the house here, it has passed close by twice and we have taken every opportunity we can to watch the professional riders race along some of our favourite … More Watching The Tour de FranceÂ
Sitting in the north of the Vaucluse, on the border with the Drome, Mont Ventoux dominates the sky-line. This mountain, with its white-scree summit, is an iconic landmark and its profile is instantly recognisable from afar, even as far away as The Camargue. The Giant of Provence rises to over 1900 metres, (it’s been as … More Mont Ventoux and an unplanned ride
The first time we visited Provence, over 30 years ago, we arrived in a desperate effort to escape the rain that always seemed to dog our snatched, two week holidays in France. At that time we were simply ‘holiday cyclists’, and with a busy working life at home, we only really got out on the … More Cycling the back roads of Provence
Vaucluse Dreamer 