St Ybard Bulletin Thursday 19th July 2007

Today 50 miles were on the menu but rain in the morning and floor laying problems in the ancient roof meant we didn’t get out on the treaders until 2.30pm. Trevor devised another scenic route from the map that we are going to steal off him and burn tonight. The almost total absence of motor traffic means that every encounter with a car is unexpected for us and them. On some of this week’s roads we’ve seen more six-feet-long snakes and man-eating lizards than motor cars. Today Denbo made his second foray on the bike stolen from a tramp; he went up every hill in the vicinity and noted with the customary expletives the difficult nature of the terrain. It would have been worse if he’d tried to ride up them! Once again we managed to ride at less than 12 mph this afternoon - 22 miles in 2 hrs 45 minutes with a stop in a café without a TV in Masserat, so we still don’t know who won today’s stage. This morning we made a last trip to the Super-U in Uzerche to stock up on goodies and retire to the Bowler for a beer and for Mick to read their paper.

Paul Baby is currently cooking supper and Denbo has just started interfering so things are much as usual. Trevor has a new theory about laying the floor in the roof and Dave is retained to help at any moment. The washing machine has just been put on so the lights should go out soon and this computer will crash. Mick is waiting to collect the scraps of veg for his new compost heap – his first venture into the continental market. Local civil engineering matters are currently being discussed in the garden. There seems to be some difference of opinion among the assembled experts..

New chaos beckons for tomorrow when we leave at 0800 (some hopes!) to drive down to Chris Devereux’s (wherever that is) for a mountainous ride, an overnight stay and, on Saturday, a visit to the TT stage of the tour.

Good luck to Uncle Norman for his weekend from all in St Ybard – we’re with you mate!