St Ybard Charade 2009

Sunday 4th July 2009

As Rob Potter left for home yesterday evening Chris Devereux arrived. He joined us for the excellent barbecued duck in the garden. There was then an interlude to watch the Tour de France highlights programme on TV. Then it was back to the table for cheese, more wine and a French tart and you all know how we like a French tart on a Saturday night. And so to bed.

Up betimes (about 8 o'clock that is) and the usual disagreements about whether we needed bread or not. Out on the treaders by 0945 for an 0900 prompt start. Denbo and Pelvic Paul decided to stay at home to devote the day to this evening's spag bol, which had to be the best we'd ever tasted just like all the previous years. The rest of us, we were seven, set off via Lubersac to St-Yrieix-la-Perche in the direction of Limoges to the north-west. The distance is about 25 miles and they must be about the most deserted 25 miles of pure French countryside around. Up and down all the time, but virtually habitation- and traffic-free, for today alas, very very hot. The expectation was that we would split and the back group would short-cut to Pompadour. In the end we kept in contact and all arrived at St Yrieix together about 11.30. Our usual bakery was open and had no objection to us setting up camp in the street outside using their furniture. Coffees, teas and exotic fruit tarts were purveyed by a charming middle-aged lady who was much taken by Norman's Time machine, she had an Orbea herself. Then it was out into the midday sun for the hilly ride through St-Segur-le-Chateau and on to Pompadour for salads and rose wine in the shade taken at our bistro next to the mis-labelled public loos for which the town is justly famous. Pompadour is also known as an equestrian centre and as we left we watched a horse race from the raised terrace. Not exactly Le Derby d'Epsom but notable for being the first time we had ever seen horses on the track there. The slopes after lunch were more gentle but still, by the time we approached Vigeois, Norman and the two Micks had had enough. So they missed out on the last 20kms and four hard climbs to Vigeois Lake and headed back along the top road for home just in time to watch Mark Cavendish win the day's tour stage on TV. The four big-hitters returned an hour later, plunged in the pool and were entertained by the last 5 hours of the chefs' spag bol preparations. The product of their disagreeable labours was enjoyed by all and washed down with copius amounts of red wine freshly decanted into old wine bottles from a plastic container of industrial dimensions. With very smelly cheeses to follow. It had been a good day en velo pour les Rosbifs.

Apologies for the absence of pictures. This is due to being on French dial-up only but the scientific team is working on the problem as we speak. Wondrous images may still come your way but Gawd know how! Night, night.