Lavender scented cycle

From the vineyards to cycling amongst the lavender fields today. It was incredibly beautiful and it all smelled so gorgeous!

The first part of my journey today was from Bedoin to Sault. I thought I'd be there in time for a nice cuppa and pastry. I eventually rolled up at lunchtime. I'd forgotten how much longer everything takes on a fully laden tourer and in the mountains. My head hasn't slowed down to that pace yet so I was getting a bit frustrated. The first 13 miles were solid climbing to a col at just under 1,000 metres (3,268 feet). My lower back was in agony and that made the cycling hard going. The rest of me was generally fine. Crawling along at walking pace was a bit demoralising at times.

Sault was such a pretty Provencal village and incredibly busy with cyclists and traffic. I plonked myself down on the nearest bench, wobbled with my shaky legs to the nearest boulangerie and re-fuelled before heading to a cafe for a restoring cuppa. In fact, this was the most normal cuppa I've had so far - normal teapot, normal sized jug of milk and nearly 3 cups of much-needed tea out of it!

And there I sat with my maps wondering what on earth to do. I'd completely had enough. My legs felt as if I'd done a 100 mile bike ride and I'd not quite cleared 20 miles! My back wasn't going to cope with much more. Luckily, the head was still willing.

And now I'm in Forcalquier having clocked up just over 53 miles. I had a blissfully happy afternoon on much kinder gradients, really quiet roads, through some stunning old villages and I descended through some jaw-dropping gorges. And the wine here is helping to ease my lower back. And also help me get over the shock of the price - 24 euros for my tiny pitch tonight!!! But there is nowhere else to camp, there is almost what passes for grass in this arid region (no mallet or nails needed) and it's still much cheaper than a hotel. I'm just so happy to be here, I really don't care! (Or maybe that's the wine taking effect really quickly?!)

The temperature is in the mid-30s now which is very comfortable for me. My tent is in direct sunlight and therefore way to hot to sit in yet. However my clothes are drying at record speed! I'm pleased about that, they did smell pretty bad!

Thank you everyone for your continuing comments on the blog and texts. I can't tell you what a difference they make to my day :-))

Ellie!! Fantastic to hear from you and I can't wait to climb Alpe d'Huez with you too! For those of you who don't know Ellie, she is an awesome 12 year old and will be tackling probably THE most iconic Tour de France mountain with me in a week's time! Wow! I certainly hope to post a photo on the blog of both of us (and her family) at the top of that col next Tuesday :-))

Caroline, thank you for staying in touch and all your lovely comments, they were a real boost today. Please keep them coming! Not sure about another book though, more hard work than all this pedalling! Looking forward to seeing you in September with the usual crew :-))

Mary, Renee - wonder if I would feel inspirational if I smelt less bad, looked less bad and felt less bad!!! Will aim to still be standing by the time I see you in Geneva. The thought of that proper cuppa will get me there :-))

Chris, you're right, I probably had zero sympathy for the "broken" ones near the top of Mont Ventoux. It was all a bit macho with plenty of testosterone flying around on the climb. Me, a mere female, overtaking them on a touring bike, probably destroyed them, hehe!!! Revenge can be so sweet! And thank you to you and Ade for the chapeaus - I don't seem to be getting them this time from the disgusted French guys!

Mandie, great to hear from you and looking forward to being stalked!!

Ade, glad you're enjoying the Josie Dew book. Cycling as it is for females (don't show my Mum!).

Tony, look forward to hearing how the slurring goes at the Junction tonight, hehe! Hope the band is good. And hi to Barbara and Peter from me :-)) (And obviously Bri and Ken.)

Fresh pizza and fresh salad tonight or some of my camp-cooking? Hmmm, decisions, decisions. So far, I've been incredibly lazy and done no camp cooking. I've just eaten out in lovely restaurants. Anyone would think I was on holiday or something!

Until tomorrow and who knows where I'll end up. All part of the touring fun!

Andi xxx

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