St Ybard 2008 Saturday

What a smashing final day for this year’s trip. Late on a fine morning Norman and Mick took a short potter through the up and down lanes of the 10 miles to Pompadour via St Martin-Sepert and St Pardoux-Corbier taking photos along the way.

They arrived at 1230 for a fine salad lunch accompanied by a pichet of chilled Rose wine. As they were enjoying their coffee, Trevor, Martin and Paul arrived from Lubersac and Segur-le-Chateau, one of the prettiest villages in the Haute Vienne. They had been delayed by a Trevor puncture and the difficulties of trying to replace the 700 c inner tube with a much-patched one from a mountain bike - one of Trevor’s specials and in the true tradition of Mick O’Brien. Before the All Stars had finished their lunch the two Old Contemptibles departed for the flatter route home along D70 and D155. They were caught and passed near Le Grand Brugeron but all five arrived home about 3.20 just as the heavens opened and today’s stage of the Tour de France came on the tele. Perfect timing, perfect timing. Housekeeper Denbo was beating the carpets on the line in traditional Old Mother Reilly fashion and bemoaning a housewife’s lot and got the sympathy he so richly deserved. The lads in the tour were also experiencing heavy rains around Toulouse but that didn’t stop our new hero, Mark Cavendish, from producing the goods with another fine stage win. Like you, we all shared in the glory. Only we had the last pints of Paul’s St Ybard 2008 brew with which to celebrate. Now we’re doing little packing and clearing up bits before we walk down to the Hotel St Roche in the village for an end of term dinner tonight. We’ll dink a toast to your health. The plan is to leave early (Denbo’s car) and later (Trev’s lot) tomorrow morning for the long drive home and to arrive about midnight your time. This doesn’t give much time before we meet at Ellens Green at 8.30 Monday morning for the Bastille Day Ride. On verra – we shall see!

2hrs 28mins, 32.5 miles, 13.1mph, 1536 cals, 65rpm, 133bpm. Remember to let Caroline know 07956 453054 if you are calling at her place on Monday night to remember 1789 and to take a glass for the Republic.

Vive la France, Vive la Republique, Vive Le Clarencourt!
Are you the falconer ?