Early start to catch the ferry crossing to Caen in France.  The day was grey cool and drizzling. The mood was cheerful and anticipatory.  On the way out we glimpsed Lord Nelsons' boat 'Victory' in the harbour. Some chatted others slept as we took the 4 hour crossing.  Caen being a site of the Normandy ladings in 1944 has a tank on display as a reminder of those times.  We paused in our groups for photos in front of the tank and off we sped on our 60 mile journey.  The roads in Normandy were surprisingly potholed initially, as if stll witing to be repaired after the Day landings.  I found French drivers in the main were very supportive of cyclists.  Riding through little villages we often had the locals coming out of pubs shouting and encouraging us on as is done in the Tour.  It was quite encouraging.  As in England, the houses were adorned with a riot of colourful hanging baskets and tubs of flowers.  The fertile landscape undulating through seemingly endless skies with rolling hils of wheat and vegetables, orchards, green meadows with sheep and cattle grazing was delightful for me. Red poppies interspersed amongst the wheat and a mix of wildflowers growing along the roadside - white Queen Anne's lace, blue cornflowers, light blue nigela and the red poppies delighted us as we sped by.  Little villages nestling in the valley of the rolling hills made me think of the French imressionist painters, it was all so picture perfect.  We stopped for lunch to the first taste of French baguette - nowhere in the world can one taste breaad like this.  Crisp and dextrin sweet made all the tastier by a healthy appetite.  In France our breaks were in parks so we often had to ride to the toilet which was varyingly in a train station, a Tabac and the private quarters of a hotel, complete with a TV stationed beside the toilet door with a large man sitting bang smack in front of the TV watching the tour. Rather gave me stage fright. 
Riders were free to move from one group to another as thier own pace demanded.  My group 5 had a few changes during the three days.  With the break up of riders into groups, the catering became very well streamlined.  As one group came in one was happily munching, another beign ready to take off.  So there were not long queues or fighting for space on the blankets for a well earned lie down.  Also time for socialising.  Food was good, lots of energy food, energy drinks,  no reason for hitting the wall really.
The 60mile run into Bernay finished with a warm afternoon, some strong sun and a puncture for one of my group. 
Dinner in Bernay and an early night for the last day's 100mile trip to Versailles.

Early start to catch the ferry crossing to Caen in France.  The day was grey cool and drizzling. The mood was cheerful and anticipatory.  On the way out we glimpsed Lord Nelsons' boat 'Victory' in the harbour. Some chatted others slept as we took the 4 hour crossing.  Caen being a site of the Normandy ladings in 1944 has a tank on display as a reminder of those times.  We paused in our groups for photos in front of the tank and off we sped on our 60 mile journey.  The roads in Normandy were surprisingly potholed initially, as if stll witing to be repaired after the Day landings.  I found French drivers in the main were very supportive of cyclists.  Riding through little villages we often had the locals coming out of pubs shouting and encouraging us on as is done in the Tour.  It was quite encouraging.  As in England, the houses were adorned with a riot of colourful hanging baskets and tubs of flowers.  The fertile landscape undulating through seemingly endless skies with rolling hils of wheat and vegetables, orchards, green meadows with sheep and cattle grazing was delightful for me. Red poppies interspersed amongst the wheat and a mix of wildflowers growing along the roadside - white Queen Anne's lace, blue cornflowers, light blue nigela and the red poppies delighted us as we sped by.  Little villages nestling in the valley of the rolling hills made me think of the French imressionist painters, it was all so picture perfect.  We stopped for lunch to the first taste of French baguette - nowhere in the world can one taste breaad like this.  Crisp and dextrin sweet made all the tastier by a healthy appetite.  In France our breaks were in parks so we often had to ride to the toilet which was varyingly in a train station, a Tabac and the private quarters of a hotel, complete with a TV stationed beside the toilet door with a large man sitting bang smack in front of the TV watching the tour. Rather gave me stage fright. 
Riders were free to move from one group to another as thier own pace demanded.  My group 5 had a few changes during the three days.  With the break up of riders into groups, the catering became very well streamlined.  As one group came in one was happily munching, another beign ready to take off.  So there were not long queues or fighting for space on the blankets for a well earned lie down.  Also time for socialising.  Food was good, lots of energy food, energy drinks,  no reason for hitting the wall really.
The 60mile run into Bernay finished with a warm afternoon, some strong sun and a puncture for one of my group. 
Dinner in Bernay and an early night for the last day's 100mile trip to Versailles.

Well, the day finally arrived to start The Big Ride For the Big issue.  After all the months of hard work it was here!  Cool, grey skies above, we met in Twickenham.  77 other riders of various experience, we sat in the hall thinking about why we had done this.  BI UK have raised over £10000.00 out of the ride!  Extrememly well organisedby Tall Stories, we broke up into 8 self rated each led by an athletic looking experienced rider to shepherd each of the groups. We cautiously navigated London traffic, ably taken out by our guides who wore tall stories jerseys with guide emblazoned across the back - very visible for the riders.  We got to the countryside past the most charming villages, wealthy homes, gorgeous little pubs with colourful hanging baskets outside, fields of barely or wheat blowing in the breeze, through the most green woods, the smell of dung but not a horse to be seen, sometimes dodging lorries and oncoming farmers' tractors.  Weather held very kindly except for a cooling shower after morning tea.  Otherwise the lovely light blue skies with fluffy white clouds and a sky that seems to go on forever smiled down upon us.  Jo being a stronger and more expereinced rider and having just finished over 800kms on the Camino pilgrim trail in spain was in group 3.  Me, suffering jet lag and tiredness in group 5, but that was really nice, not to take it too hard.  She of course made it up the killer hill, but I got off and walked.  Riding through the North Downs and then the South downs into Portsmouth thre were many hills, some pretty steep, but not as hard as the hills aroudn the Dandenongs or around Whittlesea our training routes. 
Delightful and interesing fellow riders.  We are now about to go into a well earned dinner after riding the 72 miles to Portsmouth from London.  Early start tomorrow - 0530 - for ferry crossing and then onto Bernay. 

The day was sunny but cool outside for a delicious afternoon of jazz.  The pub was warm and inviting with open fires and lots of lovely friends and visitors to the pub.  The band was sensational.  I am indeed a lucky person to have the opportunity to sing with such accomplished musos.  John Curtis on Piano, Brae Grimes on Trumpet, Ray Hood on Guitar, Stand Van Hooft on Bass, Paul Phillips on Drums.  My greatest thanks and gratitiude to you guys.  A great opportunity for myself on Vocals.  Great Music, a raffle first prize of those lovely meals won by a cuddly couple, who appreciate jazz - cool!

Many thanks to those who contributed to the raffle prizes:

Babka
Casa Moda
Cellini
I Carusi
Mario's
Mitte
Mixed Business
North Fitzroy Star
Northern Suburbs Catering
The Rainbow Hotel

The ride day arrived for 8 of us as a beautifully sunny, reasonably warm day that also had a frisky little headwind at times just to let you know who really is boss.  Especially on those hills.  Riding through bushfire country is shocking to see the extent of the fires.  Lots of trucks and tradies vehicles along the way as clearing continues and rebuilding is in ernest.  I noticed the roads were quite damaged since the last time I rode up this region last Spring.  The day was supported by Melbourne Sports Motorcycle Club - enjoying their chats waiting at the turn off points and then gunning the motor bikes to the next turn post.  Thanks to Julianne who kept up the rear cyclist (me!) in her Nice big car while doing Suduko.  Along came her car about 2kms out of Yea to rescue me from a flat tyre!  We loaded the bike into the car drove into town where a very kind gentleman on the ride changed me tyre while I ate me lunch in Yea. (we can change tyres, just very slow). Sparkling wine, scones cream and jam was a nice finish to a deliciously exhausting day.  Riders fanned out along the way, but the jersey really stood out - a beautiful luminescent green and the vibrant pink of the flowers.  Thanks to all who participated and made it such a great and successful day.  Thanks to Jo for organising it all - the bus with the trailer, the brother to drive it from spot to spot, the husbands' motorcycle club.  Not clear yet of the total money raised, but it is over $3000!

Upcoming fund raising gig at the great music pub in Fitzroy - The Rainbow 27 St David Sreet Fitzroy, Sunday May 31st 2-6pm.  The Anne Hayres Quintet comprising John Curtis on Piano, Brae Grimes on Flugel Horn and Trumpet, Ray Hood on Guitar, Stan Van Hooft on Bass, Paul Phillips on Drums, Anne on Vocals.  Great band, jazz standards, cool and bepop. 

How do we raise money?  Auction of items like cafe meal vouchers and passing the hat around.  Come along have fun and be generous to support the great work of The Big Issue!

We are getting close to the target $10,000, but still not there yet.  $10,000 will mean The Big Issue can get their much needed new computer hardware - super duper printer and computer to get out the much loved magazine on time!

Get on down to the pub, support live music and the Big Issue!

The Rainbow  http://www.therainbow.com.au

The Big Issue   http://www.BIGISSUE.ORG.AU

 As this project nears completion, I am reflecting on how many people and businesses have supported us along the way.

The hardest thing for me to do has been this web site!  An immigrant in the land of computers, I am actually proud of the way I have come back to it, learning along the way.  As a consequence, some things that I am writing about are out of sequence.  For instance now at this late stage I am looking back at the beginnings, the people who helped and offered us product.

Princess of Cool, Margaret Michael and her dear partner Alan.  Marg encouraged and supported us to have our first event - the jazz jam - at her home in Mt Macedon.  Thanks to all jammers who participated!
http://www.melbournejazzjammers.com/

Hanging Rock Wines provided wines
http://www.hangingrock.com.au

The Fitzroy Revolution - excellent bike servicing
http://www.fitzroyrevolution.com.au

On the superbly supported SuperSprint Great Otway Classic, Jo and I and our friends on that wonderful 145km ride from Torquay through the Otways and then back up the Great Ocean road from Lorne back to Torqay had the great fortune to discover Ascend sports proteins.  We stopped at Deans Marsh before the big long hill, fuelled up with Elite recovery, we sailed up the hill.  Impressed with the extra energy we felt, both on the hill and the rest of the journey, we went straight to the stall to chat to the representatives of Ascend.  They have very kindly given us Ascend product to assist us with our not insignificant training for our ride and exploits beforehand.   We are thrilled to be associated with a company we believe offers an excellent product, but also one that is an Australian co-operative and supports our Dairy farmers and country folk.


 ASCEND  http://www.ascendsport.com.au