LE TOUR D’JOUR

A sign of things to come

For years we have watched Le Tour on TV, late at night and salivating over Gabriel Gate’s French cooking and wines and the stunning scenery. In 2012 we’re here! Can’t quite believe we are, but sometimes dreams do come true.

Up early this morning, a brief stop to get a coffee and some sustenance for the day. A baguette and a stunning strawberry tart for morning tea. Our recce the day before was a Godsend, we were able to find a spot we had seen and headed for it with “Helene’s” help. At the end of a longish straight slightly uphill and on a bend where the riders would have to bunch and ride closer together.

"Our" corner and the Chateau gates

It was a long morning, we arrived at 8.00am and the first of the ‘caravan’ came through at 1.30pm! A nice local group around us, no parlez the Anglaise here.

Here comes the 'caravan', a prelude to the big show!

You could sense the excitement increasing as the riders came into view. Yelling, flags waving, flashing lights of the police bikes as the leading riders approached – three of them with their back-up support … then nothing for 20 minutes, then again the excitement started as the peloton approached up the hill. They were packed tightly as they swept through the corner fortunately avoiding each other and the supporting throng.

The leading bunch

It was quick, hardly a chance to take it all in and they were gone.

Everyone packed up and wandered off to their homes nearby. The owner of the Chateau and his wife went back to their crumbling relic behind where we were watching.

We thought it was all over, got back into the car and in the safe and trusty hands of ‘Helene’, she took us a different way home . Driving along and we suddenly sighted more parked cars and hundreds of spectators. What a bonus, a second surprise opportunity to see ‘Le Tour’. We had by-passed a town where 'Le Tour' went, and we had over-taken them! We were in the middle of nowhere but a popular spot none the less. 

A short wait and the whole circus went by us again. I know that I’m sitting beside one very happy camper as I write this blog.

Despite the thrill of it all, it’s difficult to beat the SBS coverage of the whole race. Helicopter shots, fabulous commentary, Gabriel’s cooking and the scenery throughout the country.

Go Cadel.