So many highlights of another great day at the Tour.
Early start walking in the mountain mist! Lots of layers was order of the day, but nice and cool for the 7 km walk uphill, legs quite stiff from yesterdays 12 km. The mountain mist was in and while it started to seep into our layers the coolness was a welcome break from yesterdays heat.
When we got to the col and the cafe we met a Scottish couple of paragliders. Judith was 31 st in British championships (overall including male) and second woman, impressive. Went into cafe and bought Bought Colin and Teresa a hot chocolate and a french pastry. The french servers sang the nursery rhyme frara a Jaca(spell), nice touch. The police waited fir their coffee politely while they sang.
Continued upwards the final 2 km to the ski resort and the finish line. Found discount cycling gear shop but nothing in my size (Liz will be pleased - as not short of cycling kit- plus motorbike is full).
Lunch nice food - ski resort, meeting other Aussies, one also struggling like me to get hold if her ticket.
In the VIP area nice food and flowing booze, lots of other Perth folk, arranged to meet up when back in town. Two Perth exhibitionists wore skin tight Aussie flag suits and held a blow up kangaroo! they were a big hit.
Meeting Robbie McEwen-in the VIP area was my highlight of the day - he nodded to me as was wearing my Finn Kayaks Aussie T shirt - a very nice person and willing to chat to anyone. Most Aussies?present had picture taken with him myself included.
The build up to the race was a blur of meeting new people, drinking, watching the race evolve on different flat screens drinking and eating.
The finish...all that build up for action that lasted only a few minutes. Will remember a screaming American woman from Chicago & Anna from Sydney. Lots of very tired cyclists coming across the line in all world of pain, some bloodied after crashing. Think I took some good action shots.
The walk back in mountain mist was dangerous with organisation trucks ( mostly diesel) and spectators both wanting to get off the mountain-quickly. Used strobes on our i phones for safety and they worked well.
Village bar - visited again well we just had to because would be rude not to eh-and supporting our local village! Further down the hill grabbed by two irish ex national cycling team members who were a little worse for wear! Also two Western Australian farmers from Moora. Arranged to meet up when back in Perth, offered to volunteer at their farm at Harvest (said would bring Liz as it would be a great experience and they said they would arrange for us to shear a sheep!) and have drinks at little creatures-all good. They were going back to UK to work the autumn harvest at Lydney close to where I used to live.
Late dinner of Spanish omelette - and viewing todays pics. I took a great one of Cadel Evans and lots of panoramas. Great day out...again, can it get any better?