Yes, it’s been a while between posts, for good reason. I’ve been in France to see the Tour and it was bloody fantastic!
It’s been very difficult getting back into the swing of things but that’s about to change.
I’ve been hearing and getting lots of comments about the advice section of this blog and you’ll be happy to know I have plenty more great information and interviews to come in future posts. You do know that you can get all the information in one spot right now (past and unpublished future material) at the Your Wedding Made Easy website. If you aren’t aware, I wrote a book to cover everything you need to know about booking every service for your wedding.
If you grab the book, you also get a discount card for the very best Central Coast wedding services and you will save over a $1000 on your wedding. You save $200 on your photography alone if you book Impact Images and have the card when you make your booking.
Anyway, back to me and my trip to France.
I had an incredible time with 17 friends, mostly from The Coast and we rode our bikes up and over all the famous climbs of the Tour de France in the Alps, Provence and the Pyrenees. If you ever get the chance to be in France while the Tour is on – you gotta go!
If you are planning a trip like this, let me know and I’d be happy to help you wherever possible with your planning.
Some interesting facts from our trip:
We rode 1,630km
We climbed (on our bikes) 32,335 vertical metres
We burnt 42,700 calories which is roughly equivalent to climbing Mt Everest 3.5 times!
Can’t believe I still put on a few kilos – what’s the go with that?
Below are some images captured on my phone camera and posted on instagram.
NOTE: All captions start top left and go clockwise
1. Beers were a feature after our rides – might have something to do with the weight gain. 2. The view from our ski lodge hotel in the alps. 3. It really is the cycling mecca, particularly while the tour is on. 4. Another view of our ski village looking out across the alps.
1. Switchbacks were a common theme on most of our rides. 2. Every town featured flower displays in most houses. 3. Not bad for a public toilet. 4. Yet another fabulous view from the hotel.
1. I was missing Linda like crazy and had this photo in my phone. 2. We grabbed a coffee in this little cafe at the very top of a mountain before the Tour de France arrived later that day. 3. The famous iron cross on the mountain top of the same name. 4. One of the many churches that litter the countryside in France.
All of our rides featured amazing scenery and no shortage of hills to go up and down.
Provence featured smaller climbs, a totally different feel but the same great patisseries!
1. Our days were filled with long rides, discovering and exploring little towns and villages. 2. Even the pastry wrapping features bicycles in France. 3. Another incredible church. 4. The fresh fruit and veges were abundant in all the towns, particularly on market days.
2. Water fountains like these had the sweetest, coolest natural spring water flowing 24/7. 3. Time for a breather to soak it all in. 4. It was easy to get lost amongst the small villages.
Provence to me is lavender fields, warm dry weather, small villages and lots of history.
Looking at these images, it’s hard to believe that I was really there… and only a short while ago. As for the French people, don’t believe the bad things you hear – we found them ALL to be warm, welcoming, friendly, helpful and happy to have Aussies visiting.
1. Market day in our little village in the Pyrenees. 2. Another gorgeous village nestled in the valley of enormous mountains.
1. Darkness didn’t fall till around 10pm each day. 2. My hotel room view in the Pyrenees looking right at the famous Hautacam. 3. Animals roamed free in the high mountains in the summer time.
1. You know you’re high up when the first sign of a helicopter is from below. 2,3 and 4. The tour de France!
1. Our one and only cloudy day in the mountains – the cows didn’t seem to mind at all. 2. A local bike race. 3. Made it to the Spanish border after a very long climb.
1. Our ‘local’ and a frequented spot for daily refreshments. 2. The Spanish border. 3. We often had to descend cautiously for fear of hitting a sheep, horse, donkey, cow or farmer. 4. This ride we started in the clouds and climbed above them to blue skies.
More villages, bike racing, mountains and memories.
… and the same again
1. I couldn’t come to France without giving the beret a spin.
1. The glacial lake – Pont de Spania. Too cool for a swim for me but a great spot for lunch. 3. This little turtle is over 34 years old and a resident of the hotel garden.
Probably my favourite area of France – the mountains of the Pyrenees.
1. Free roaming and beautiful horses on the mountain top. 2. Spring water on tap in yet another local fountain. 3. Glenn decided to descend the last climb on one of the locals. 4. The top of the Col d’Aubisque, our last climb of the trip.
hi Andrew, what a great Blog. I must say Jason and i really enjoyed your photos coming through Instagram, they were beautiful as always, we felt like we were sharing the experience with you.
Thanks so much for giving us a little taste of France.
xx
Hey Alicia – thanks for your comments. It sure was an amazing trip.
Hope you guys are well! Say hi to Jason for me too.
Hi Andrew
I leisurely went through the blog photos of your trip. You really are a lucky guy!
The photos are so informative and seem to show not only a snapshot of the trip, but also the ‘feel’ of the journey.
Makes me want to go to the same towns.
I’ll show Dad when he comes in from the garden …..
Love mum x x
Thanks Mum – sure am lucky!
Looking back through the photos, I can’t wait to go back again.
If you need a “tour guide” I’d be happy to take you – but you’ll need to get a bike first 🙂
See you soon
Andrew xx