Paris!

Bonjour all
Well here we are in Paris! Jase and I caught the train up to Paris on Sunday 4th. We met Jase's parents here. It is their first time in Europe, and they are having a ball! Before here they have been in London staying with Jase's mum's brother, and then to Barcelona which they both loved. They had some good stories to tell of their travels - the most amusing being the cell phone story...They bought a new cell phone in Spain but couldn't get it to work, so spent considerable time trying to get it to work, and had to phone us from their hotel - Jase told them to go in to a Vodafone shop to get it sorted. The next day they spent alot of time looking for a vodafone shop and finally found one and went in and explained that the phone wouldn't work - they gave it to the man behind the counter, who took one look at it and then said it may help if they turned it on!!! That is something I would do! Classic!!!

The next day (yesterday) Mum and Christine arrived. Christine has just spent 2 weeks in Corsica with the mad Irish woman (aka Titch). She is so tanned, and has had a great time cycling and sightseeing on the island. This is the first time Mum has been to France, and the first time she has traveled on her own, so a big trip for her. We spent the day showing the parents around the city - we went to the Champs Elysees, Arc De Triumphe, Louvre, StarBucks (!), Hard Rock Cafe (good French cuisine!), and the Galeries Lafayette.

Yesterday I had a terrifying experience - most people know that I hate birds... well lets just say that the bloody pigeons here have faulty radar! Christine and I had just been to the toilet in Mc Donalds, and were about to cross the road to join the others when a damn pigeon flew down and actually hit me on the head!! I was terrified! I spent the the next few hours pretty much jumping out of my skin when I saw any pigeon fly in the vicinity, and embarrassed the others by walking like the hunch back of Notre Dame!

Today we went to the Eiffel tower. Jase and I sat at the bottom whilst the others took the 650 stairs to the first level, then the elevator to the top. They got some great shots of Paris from up there too, and they all agree that it was the highlight of their Paris experience so far. We then walked towards the Notre Dame Cathedal - and stopped for lunch along the way at a Boulangerie Restaurant. Hmmmmm - not a cheap lunch by all accounts - the cokes were 9 Euros each! We were unaware of the cost until we went to pay. Needless to say we are having salad and baguettes at home for dinner tonight! I did buy a new bag - pretty trendy for me, and a good replacement for my skody kathmandu bag that Katrina (S) from work advised me needed replacing a long time ago!

We have checked the Marmotte results - and a quick summary was that all of our 'team' were placed in the top 6 or 700 riders, which is pretty impressive when the field start number was 7000! Meg did exceptionally well placing 5th in her age group for the women!!

Hope you are all well back home. Will attach some photos when we are back in Bourg...
Jeanette

La Marmotte update

Bonjour
Well that was a long and very very hot day! - it was mid 30's up the Alpe d'Huez I reckon, so I hate to think how hot it was in the valleys. The team all did extremely well. I don't have placings but I have times. Will update with placings later, but they were all well up the field!
Matt Jones: 7hrs 42mins
Jason H: 7hrs 53mins
Jason G: 7hrs 59
Megan H: 8hrs 13mins

Both Jason's reckoned they drank around15 bottles!

Jeanette - the proud supporter!

The Marmotte is underway!

I am not sure why I am doing this now- I think it is because I am so incredibly nervous!! I have just returned from the Marmotte start - it was amazing seeing 7000 riders all lined up on the narrow streets! I think I am more nervous (or as nervous) when Jase and my friends are racing, than when I am racing myself! I think it's also worse because nothing is in my control - I simply have to wait (7.45 hours +) - aaaaahhhhhhhh!!!

Everyone seemed pretty relaxed down at the start though and all got away smoothly. I did see one of my former patients from Christchurch at the start, which was quite funny in a sea of probably mainly Dutch men, so went up and said hello. I also managed to see 4 girls in total - although I am sure there are more - I am just not impressed by this at all. Where are they?

Well not much more to report - I will send an update sometime after the finish. Jase and I are heading to Paris tomorrow morning for 4 days - to meet the Gerries, Mum, and Christine - so that should be fun.

My cell phone has also been located - Matt had left it in the van of the couple who gave them a lift off the Galibier in the bad weather. The phone is now being sent to the local post office, so I should have it when we are back from Paris if anyone needs to contact me.

Time to twiddle my thumbs...
J

La Meije and more

Bonjour all

Well we still haven't uploaded the photos - they are coming!

Tuesday was a pretty quiet day by all accounts. No-one was moving very fast or very far after the sagas of Monday. We spent a bit of time at the local cafe, and in the afternoon the thunder storms set in. They are so amazing here as we are nestled in among the mountains and the thunder is just so loud!

Wednesday signalled the end of my downhill running unfortunately. I did have a great adventure but it was just too much and how sick I am now feeling after running is just not worth it. The others all went riding, so Jenny and I drove to the top of the Notre Dame road. It is an awesome road, with some long dark tunnels and steep drop offs. Our original plan was to run back down the road through the tunnels with Jase and Meg's head torch, but when we reached the top we saw a sign posted track which looked a little more exciting. Unfortunately some of the run was flat and slightly uphill, and even though I walked these bits, it was too much.

Later that afternoon Meg and I went to the local pool for some sunbathing. It certainly isn't a lane swimming pool - chaos everywhere! Great to cool down at least - the weather here has really improved - we are now in the late 20's-early 30's.

That night our sink wasn't draining. I told the others not to worry because I have done some basic plumbing before, and that if I wasn't a physio, maybe I consider plumbing as I enjoy it (there would be one exception though - no toilets!). It seemed to cause widespread amusement as I sat down on the kitchen floor and proceeded to pull apart all the pipes. Jase G simply left the room, Jenny and Jase H disappeared, Matt got out the camera and started to take photos, the kids thought it was a great joke, and Meg was in histerics when she passed me a bowl to catch the water (and when I said..."ah yes - sometimes I don't fully think things through"). To sum up - they all had absolutely no faith in my plumbing abilities, and 'Voila' I fixed the problem myself!

Yesterday morning we all set off for La Grave. From there we caught a cable car up the mountain to 3200m. It was a beautiful day, and the scenery was absolutely spectacular - although I was initially a little nervous as the cable car crossed the valley - it was fairly high! We took some awesome photos which I (hmmm - actually still Jase!) will attach. In the afternoon we drove up the Alpe d'Huez to the La Marmotte race registration. It was a hugely painless experience given that there are 7000 entrants. I think Meg will be one of maybe 100 females in the event - it is pretty disappointing actually - where are all the girls???

Last night we all headed out to 'Hissing Sid's' restaurant - that is my new name for the grumpy hissing dutchman who owns it. Jenny and I saved us all from the hissing this time as we both ordered a wine, and the kids had a coke. This probably wasn't fully to his liking, but probably partially satisfied him. The food was great though, so I think we will be back!

Well today is the day before the race - everyone is relaxing, and I am doing some last minute physio work on the team. Will let you all know how it all goes!!!

J

Saga's gallore!

Bonjour
Well we now have a full house. Megan and Jason arrived on Thursday on their touring bikes. Jase had had to go to the UK again for work, so it was just me holding the fort. I was at the local cafe when they arrived - sitting in the sun and learning my French. The touring bikes, when fully laiden are so heavy to ride - I can't believe how they can even ride them over the mountains!

On Friday I took Jase (H) and Meg to our favourite bike shop and provided 'fashion' advice (yes CW - clearly my forte!) for them while they picked out a new cycle outfit each. Then we just cruised around the town for the day and enjoyed the sun.

On Saturday, Jase (H) and Meg picked up their rental road bikes for the race and then went for a spin to the place the locals call "the end of the World". I think Jase thought the name was apt as he was not too comfortable on his bike, and also punctured. I went to the pool in the morning and the lady at the pool enjoys my attempts at French so much that she let me in for free! Then I drove to Lyon airport and picked Jase (G) up. Poor Jase had been victim of the French air traffic control strike and had been delayed at the airport all day on the way up to the UK.

That night it was out for dinner to our favourite restaurant. The meal was good but the boss actually hissed at us when we said we only wanted to drink water - he said "not in my restaurant"! Needless to say we haven't been back - I hope we get over it as I do actually like the place!

On Sunday I sat in the sun and learnt French , while Jase G, Jase H, and Meg went for a ride. Just after lunch time I got an SOS text from them - Jase H's rental bike's stem had come loose and could not be tightened as the bolts were the wrong size. I was given sketchy (at best) directions to find Jase at a tiny village called La Vallette on the La Mure route - I had no idea where this was and had no money on my phone so had to somewhat 'wing it'. I used Jase's cell phone to ring the number they had called from but got the answer phone of some French guy they had stopped so that was no help! Luckily on my way I remembered the French CD.... Phonetically.... kel aye la hoot der Pari (basically is this the route to Paris?).... so when I was lost on a tiny country road in the sticks and spotted a farmer and his son walking on the road I was able to pull this out.... yes I am not that stupid - I did interchange Pari with La Vallette! Anyway I finally found a rather disgruntled Jason Hopper on the side of the road who had renamed his bike the "Black Bitch". Another hour in the car to return, and the bike was taken back to the shop!! He has since been in to the 'premium' bike shop and upgraded his bike - now a carbon Orbea so he is happy! The Jones family arrived Sunday night and we all went out for dinner to a new place - quite nice, but not the same as my favourite place... I may forgive the hissing man yet...

Well today is Monday and it has been an interesting day to say the least. Jase (G), Jase (H), Matthew and Megan all set off on their bikes to the Glandon and Croix de Fer. I wanted to go too, so decided the next best thing (sort of...grrrr) was to go in the car and take photos of them riding and then join them for coffee at the Croix de Fer. Jenny, Claudia and Lucy headed off to Allemont to the market.

It was a beautiful sunny day, so Matthew and Jase (H) decided to continue and pre-ride the Marmotte course. Jase (G) biked back to Bourg and Meg came back in the car with me. When home we went and did some groceries, then I headed up to the pool at Vaujany. I was furious when I got there (30mins on windy road) and realised that it was Monday and that the pool was always closed on Mondays... grrrrrr. I needed to do some exercise for my own sanity so I drove via Villard Reculas and the balcony road (scary narrow cliff road) to the Alpe d'Huez pool. I didn't get home until about 7.15pm - thinking I had had a terrible saga... needless to say this was nothing!

Megan had received a call from the two boys out riding - they were in a cafe at Valloire - the weather had turned! They reached Valloire in the sun, but then as they approached the top of the Galibier a storm set in - hail, snow, and freezing cold! They were simply unable to descend as the road down the other side was white with hail. Luckily for them an elderly couple were at the top of the climb in a van and gave them a ride back to Valloire. The couple asked them if they were training for the Tour de France, so I think they were secretly happy with that!

This time it was Jenny's turn to respond to the SOS call (and luckily for me I wasn't home yet!). Unfortunately Matthew left my cell phone behind in the couple's van and the battery is also flat, so Jenny was unable to contact the boys again and spent a good hour in Valloire looking for them. They have just arrived home (10.45pm!) - needless to say a long long day!

Well not much more to report - will attach some photos tomorrow.

Bon nuit
Jeanette

Where is Summer??

Bonjour

Well I am not too sure what's happened to our weather! Today is officially the first day of summer, and it is a balmy 13 degrees! On the upside, it is really supposed to warm up tomorrow and the sun is expected to return - yay!

Last week was wet wet wet. We headed into Grenoble on Thursday (our nearest city and 45km away), and had a look around the town and the shops. It is a pretty dull place really - not alot to see and do, and certainly not on a wet cold day. We did come across an Otago Rugby shop which seemed kind of odd in this part of the world!

There have been massive floods in the South of France, but we have escaped them here. The rivers have all been up though and the waterfalls are really spectacular. Jase has been back riding in the rain - he was pretty sick of it after Germany, but has had to get used to it again. He did another Alpe d'Huez TT yesterday in the rain, and when he reached the top of the mountain it was actually snowing! Another 2 minutes faster though despite the conditions!

On Friday Jase decided he wanted to ride the Marmotte course again as it was dry and sunny when we got up that morning. Never one to account fully for the conditions, I set off (in the car mind you) dressed in shorts and hoping for a sun tan. By the time we reached the Glandon the weather was really starting to cave in. Jase continued, and got up and over the Telegraphe and to the bottom of the Galibier before the weather really started to deteriorate. He wasn't feeling great either and had already ridden for 5 hours so hopped in the car and we drove over the Galibier and down to the hotel/cafe at the top of the Latauret for lunch. We were both freezing.

The guy in the cafe was less than friendly, until I tried some of my new found lingo on him. After that he was our best buddy. I told him it was cold in French and then he disappeared out a back room. We wondered where he had gone, until he reappeared armed with a large white bathrobe! He stood behind me and held it out ready to dress me in it! It perhaps would have been rude if I had not worn it, so stood up as he held it open for me to put my arms in the sleeves! I then sat there drinking my coffee feeling like a right clown as people came in for lunch, coffee etc! In Jase's words, it was a "dead-set disgrace" and "humiliating" - and he wasn't even the one wearing the robe!

Saturday morning we headed into Bourg (yes 100m away!) to check out the local Saturday market. It was pretty cool looking at all the dried fruits, cheeses, olives etc. We then went back to the local cafe and chatted with our friendly waitress. Then off to the bike shop to replace Jase's 8-10 year old bike shoes! He is super happy with his new ones - especially since they are the same ones that Fabian wears (or at least he was wearing them in the picture inside the shoe box!). That afternoon I went to the pool and Jase went for a ride. He wasn't going to wear his new shoes for fear of them getting wet - but then the weather dried up so out he went in his shiny new shoes. When I came out of the pool, the woman at the desk (my other French buddy!) asked where Jase was - she finds it funny that he is reluctant to wear his new togs. I told her he was out riding in his new shoes that he didn't want to get wet.... then at that very instant it started to pour with rain - we both just cracked up!

On Sunday as we were driving back down the mountain after the TT, I spotted one of my patients riding his bike down the Alpe with a group of kiwi guys from Christchurch. They ended up inviting us to watch the football with them in their hotel lounge room that afternoon. It was a pretty exciting game (Italy vs NZ). I think everyone was supporting the kiwis (other than the lone Italian in the room - poor guy!). We also met 2 other kiwi guys there (both also from Chch), and it turned out that one of them was a friend of Jones's, so we ended up having dinner with them at a local restaurant.

The Hoppers have just text us, and they arrive on Thursday. The Jones family arrive on Sunday. Christine has just text also. She arrived safely in Corsica, and will meet us in Paris with Mum and the Gerries in 2 weeks time. All very exciting!

Not much more to report. Hope the weather picks up! It's currently like mid-winter in Chch!
Jeanette

Dauphine, and more

Bonjour

Well last week the Dauphine Libere pro road race came into our neck of the woods.

On Friday Jase did another Alpe d'Huez TT (still not permitted to publish the results, but a good 3 minutes faster than the week before - must be the coach I reckon!). I drove to the top and cheered him on at various intervals. This time I told him he was not permitted to speak unless positive words were going to come out of his mouth... so no words came out at all! Once at the top, Jase did a cool down and drove back as I began my 'adventure run' down a valley track. I had studied the map in detail to find an adventure for myself that was predominantly downhill. There was one small (about 1km) section of gentle uphill before I reconnected with the road. This part I ran backwards, and had no issues at all in doing this - other than looking like an idiot as I ran into the town of Huez, and almost tripped over several times! At the bottom of the hill, Jase met me with warm clothes and we stayed down there and watched the Dauphine race come through. It was actually rather non-exciting as they just whizzed by pretty fast (a small breakaway first and then the main bunch all together).

Saturday's race was a little more exciting to watch - the finish was at the top of the Alpe d'Huez, and Contador was always expected to attack up there. We headed up in the early afternoon and went to the Lakes and went for a bit of a walk - man it is beautiful up there. We then headed down into the town to get ourselves a good spot to watch the finish. We found a great spot out of the wind and right in front of the big screen - so we were able to watch the last couple of hours of the race. The Alpe d'Huez climb was pretty exciting, with Contador repeatedly attacking, but the little Radioshack man in the yellow jersey managed to stay with him until the end. We stood up to watch the final sprint finish up the home straight. Contador deserved the win after all his attacks, but I am not a fan. I am also not a fan of his crazy gun firing antics on the dias!

Other than this, I have been doing quite a bit of swimming, and generally have been sticking with the pool at Vaujany (1200m). I have also found that by breathing every 2 strokes I don't feel sick at all afterwards, and now I can handle 3km again. Jase came to the pool with me today. I have become buddies with the woman at the desk due to my feeble attempts at the lingo which she seems to enjoy, so told her that we had purchased the 'appropriate' swimwear for Jase now and that it was very funny. She just laughed but said he would fit right in! I'm not quite so sure if his cycle tan lines were too inconspicuous however!

On Monday we went to see a French sports doctor as Jase had forgotton to get a medical certificate for the race before we left. It was classic - the guy was about 6.5 feet tall at least, and barely spoke a word of English. He knew the words 'very good' and used them with varying amounts of emphasis as he checked Jase's heart rate, blood pressure, and breathing!

Last night we went up the Alpe for dinner. One of the Aussie Mtb'ers and his girlfriend are staying up there and invited us up. Andy is also gluten free so we had a feast of gluten free sausages, baguettes, etc. It is always good to speak to some fellow English speakers!

I am continuing to practise my French on anyone I can! I get it way wrong sometimes especially when I try to make full sentences! The people seem to like that I try though, and are always willing to help me. The guy who lives downstairs thinks I am a right idiot. I wanted to tell him something the other day so wrote it in a note as it was too much for me to say. He just read it and shook his head laughing. Then I google translated what I had written - it pretty much meant nothing at all!

Well that is all for now.
See some of you soon!
Jeanette