From Rosemary Crouch
Good evening John
A colleague at work (GH)gave me the link to you dairy because I was also on a Bikestyle tour - beginning in Toulouse on July 16 and finishing in Paris. I did Pyrenees,Bordeaux, Paris and was also in the hospitality tent on the Champs Elysees. Loved all the "up market" nibbles - took lots of photos of the food!
I also planned from Brisbane a train from Gare du Nord to Amiens and hired a private guide to take me through the Somme region. My grandfather, whom I never knew, lost an eye in action in Flers in WW1. I had done a bit of research on him and wanted to go to the town of Flers. My guide took me to Villers-Brettenoux and many of the memorials as well as Flers. It was a sad and humbling experience and I was so happy that I went the extra mile to make this pilgramage. Apart from Le Tour it was one of the highlights of my trip.
Another highlight was the helicopter ride following the peleton up the Pyrenees on July 18. I had purchased the optional extra of a day in a Tour de France vehicle following in front of the peleton. At the beginning of the climb our vehicle got very very lucky and were given a helicopter ride to the mountain top finish ! I'm still trying to figure it all out.
Thank you for allowing me to read your dairies - it will bring back many memories of my trip to France.
Response: Hello Rosemary, thank you for your message. Geoff H emailed me and sent your photo diary as well. I did the Prologue to Paris trip and it was a wonderful three (3) weeks. The day in the hospitality tent on the Champs Elysees, which followed an early morning cycle on the course in Paris, was wonderful. The food and beverage that day were out of this world - I enjoyed a "day of French champagne".
Like you I aslso did a two (2) day WW1 battlefield tour based out of Arras. So keep cycling and ... loving life. john w
From Greg
Bon Jour John, Greg the piano player here. have just read the blog & enjoyed it immensely. I have relived the tour over and over, looked at the photos numerous times and reflectred on what a great time we had. Ruth and I will long have particularly fond memories of you and your quirky thoughts and questions. Hope we meet again one day. Let me know if you are coming to adelaide for the TDU Bon nuit
Response: Hi Greg, nice to hear from you and Ruth. I'm working through putting up my TdF photos onto Picasa, and will send out the link. One of the most memorable events was the night you played the piano at Annecy - that was a special night for us. john w
From Alison
Hi John, I have been following your adventure from the start... and have loved every detail, every entry :) You write beautifully and honestly... thank you and well done!! You have inspired me with your stories of the Tour and France, I have always yearned to travel there and see the tour...through your eyes I had had a taste but will now be making some plans of my own to do the same (long term plan for me.. three/four years). Thanks again John, has been wonderful going on the trip with you... Cheers Alison
Response: Thank you Alison.
Fortis fortuna adiuvat Fortune favours the brave
John W
From
Bruce said he will meet you at the fire station on Sunday am
Response: ... whoa, "Miss Bianchi" has just done over 1,500 kms and is "stripped down" in her "bag" waiting to go home for a "good servicing". Once she has finished her "day spa", she will be ready to go. john w
From Joanne and Bruce
Well done John, we have looked forward to your updates and have been very impressed with what you have achieved. Looking forward to seeing your photos. Bruce wants to know how many flat tyres you have had? Enjoy your lst days in Paris.
Response: Bonjour Joanne and Bruce, flat tires ... nil! How lucky is that? Bruce we need to train more on Mt Ommaney Fire Station to Oxley Station. john w
From Phil & Deb Marwedel
Congratulations on the Passo di Maniva climb - what an achievement! Enjoying the diary and the photos. All the best for the next stage. Regards Phil & Deb
Response: Merci Deb and Phil, a few more days in Paris at the art galleries and museums this week, and then home ... to the "real world". jw
From Cameron
Hi John
Wow is all I can say. You will be a man for the mountains in no time.
It seems you have had a fantastic trip, and we are most jealous. You have been missed on our rides, and we will welcome you back with open arms upon your return. Enjoy and we look forward to seeing you soon. in the mean time we will just have to look at this lovely Photo of you, that someone dropped in here for our wall. Safe journey.
Response: Hey Cameron, what a small world to meet Steve Cunningham who knows you from your racing days. Steve was great, good fun and made sure we had a good ride each day. Of course, we all learnt that his idea of "small hills" or "flat" were totally different from our perceptions, so we always then asked Michelle to confirm the gradients. Loooking forward to getting back into the Active group ... and I'll just have to climb the Tourmalet on a trainer. john w
From denny
How wonderful for you only having one fall. Someone was watching over you! Hope you have finally returned to your old self and ready for the next adventure. Thanks for giving me the ride of my life through your peddling adventures. cheers.
Response: Hi Denny, well if the truth is told I actually had two (2) falls, the other being when I was walking down a street in Le Mur watching how people were watching Le Tour from their upstairs windows. I went over in a hole in the road that I did not see. john
From Leona Romaniuk
John, we are so much richer for sharing your thoughts on this fabulous holiday. Thank you. Hope to see you walking on the mountain soon.xLeona
Response: Bonjour Leona, you would surely have loved Italy's northern lakes, they were just beautiful and the villas lining the lakes just pure Italian style. Of course, there was also the cofffee and the wine ... john w
From Geoff Lowes
Bruce,
"..many after we have a beer.."
Wots wrong with that?
JW obviously meant,
"after we have many a beer"! non????
Response: ... there's been lots of wine consumed ... but it's necessary for the "digestion" john w
From Bruce Wilson
9th August???? it sounds like you had Red wine??Beer?? it wouldnt be the coffee. Have one of each for us and keep on spinning.
Response: Thanks Jo and Bruce, john w
From John
You must be having a great time I am enjoying following your trip and viewing the photos. The K team has been communication about a walk in early November.
Les
Response: Hi Les, thanks. This is hard work ... really and truely, john w
From
Great to hear that you will emerse yourself in the Italian way of life.....hopefully the coffee will improve. Enjoy riding in the mountains, Mt Cootha will be a little blimp.....
Bruce and Joanne
Response: Hi Joanne and Bruce, raining today at Lake Como, so no cycling - will be going on ferry to Bellargo and back ... past George Clooney's villa. Planning a cycle tomorrow. john w
From Rosemarie Beny Crist
Hi John, thank you a lot again for staying in our familiy. We will remember these days with you as very very nice days. Best wishes and tanti cari saluti!
Response: Pregio Rosemarie, it was lovely to feel part of your family for a few days - now I understand why Danielle told me she had "two families - her real family and her Swiss Italian family". I enjoyed the lunches from Beny's garden, our talks, and everyone's patience with my always asking how to pronounce the Italian words correctly, and of course to see you all again. PG [john]
From Geoff L
John,
I read with interest your disappointing experience. Tres sad. Did you loose them twice or just thought you'd repeat yourself ?
John, as my children say,
Dad, build a pont and get over it.
One of life's little hurdles.
Response: Hi Geoff, no lost only once. The second edition was my trying to see if I could talk my way around the problem - but that was not to be. Just as well I did purchase a second ticket as the conductors were right on the ball yesterday and I had my tickets inspected several times between Paris and Lugano. Maybe the "word had been passed around" about some Australian trying to get on the train without his lost tickets. john w
From Geoff
John,
Wow, the down hill racing award AND the 'Inspiration' award in the same year. What next, mon ami ?
And all achieved by someone who is not even 60!!!!
You would remember the Delltones....their favourite saying was;'Stop the Age, ....Enjoy the Rage".
Response: Each day, well-lived, makes yesterday a dream of happiness and each tomorrow a vision of hope. Look, therefore, to this one day, for it and it alone is life." Sanskrit Poem circa AD400 India
john w
From No. 1 Daughter
Bonjour Papa Giovanni,
Don't forget to visit Coco. You'll find a great sense of history there too!
Love AJ
Response: Merci mon #1 fille, Dad
From David
Keep at it mate,never give up,it's all character building.I'm looking for another cattle station to caretake on,to bloody cold down south.see you when you get home.
Response: Thanks David. It has been hot and humid in France, john
From
Well John you can tick this one off your bucket list now. What a fabulous time you have had and we look forward to hearing about the rest of your trip.
Joanne and Bruce
Response: Merci ... allez, allez Paris, john w
From Julie Hainsworth
Hi John
Loving your diary. Your prose is so descriptive that I feel like I'm there ...Je souhaite que j'étais là aussi.
Looking forward to your next adventure.
cheers, Julie
Response: Bonjour Julie, my next adventure? Seeing all that I can in the Louvre, strolling along Blvd St-Germain, Blvd Haussmann, coffee on Avenue des Champs Elysees ... c'est la vie, john w
From Denny
Hi John, so it is all coming to an end for you Love. You will relive each day for many years to come and maybe put your detailed memories into a book. Well done John for seeing your dream through.
Stay safe and thanks for the opportunity of following you on your wonderful journey. I have followed your daily adventures with interest.
Cheers and stay safe - Denny
Response: Hi Denny, "... for something new to start, something old must finish". It's not coming to an end, only Le Tour is finished. Now on to exploring Paris ... allez, allez. Love John
From paul lindsay
Hi John
I have left it till now the eve of the completion of le tour to read your diary otherwise I would have been envious for the whole tour instead of now just overenight.Seriously though you have had a fantastic trip - a worthy reward for being a good guy for 60 years- happy birthday.
" a man travels the world over in search of what he needs and returns home to find it"George Moore.
I note that you will be home just on cue to exercise your voting right choosing between Julia and Tony!
Keep in the moment and safe journey home.
Regards
Paul
Response: Hi Mary and Paul, merci. Viva le tour, viva la France, john w
From David
Good to hear that your doing well,we only live but once.
See you soon.
Response: Hi David, thanks. Great people, lovely country and fun cycling "en France" john
From
What happened to Col du Tormalet????
How are your legs feeling John, keep on spinning!
Bruce and joanne
Response: Hi Jo and Bruce, I've now posted the update for Wednesday, the day we set out to climb the Col du Tourmalet, john w
From Les
Hello John
Great to be able to follow your trip and follow the updates on your experiences. We have been following the race when time allows. Your diary is a great thought and gives us the opportunity to take some part in your adventure.
Les
Response: hi Les, thanks, john w