Val invited some friends to bring their kids to swim, so before we set off for the Tour our legs erected a tent. You can guess who owns who's legs but there's no prize.
Advance party outside Mirabel.
Advance party outside Mirabel.
Cathy went and charmed the local gendarmes, but then noticed that their shoulder patches said "Montjoy Ecole de Gendarmes". This clue, plus their baby faces, explained why they departed early for their afternoon nap.
The leader of the Caravan
Bookgrocer sighting
Potential power clash at the Tour.
Anne and I eschewed photography and set ourselves up in a prominent position to get TV coverage for the Bookgrocer and Australia. Helicopters flew low over us, and motorbike cameramen focussed, and team cars waved, BUT!!!!! Total coverage up to the straight just before Mirabel, then they cut to a bloody ad!
Anne has a thing for the Sappeurs-Pompiers (firemen) so had to go and get her photo taken.
Here comes the breakaway
...and there they go.
That's me in the background. Heavily photoshopped to appear thin.
Here comes the peleton.
The maillot jeune
Cadel!
This guy was having a bad bike day with Ventoux still to come!
Within 10 minutes of the Tour passing, these guys collect all the advisory signs. Meanwhile, we raced home (about 3 km) to watch them going up Ventoux.
Glad to see you had 2 two yard flags.
ReplyDeletePaul, your time would have better spent running after the bikes in stripy pants.
Anne, they did not look like firemen to me but I trust you. At least their people rather than large pachydermae.
The vexilollogist in me is pleased.
Could you hear the whirring of the wheels as the pack went past?
Did Cadel stop to say g'day and explain his poor performance this year?
I'm sorry you didn't get on the tele but commerce must come first.