After 6 days of dodging rain to get some miles in, eating and drinking well and visiting an armagnac distillery it was time to test the fitness in the hills. Tuesday had been a long ride in a head wind, then wednesday was time to swap Glyn for Jackie but since the flight was 10 pm there was time for a ride in the Basque hills. We parked at Cambo les bains, a thermal spa then made our way to the start of the first climb col d’ ispeguy and entry into spain. The scenery changes with the architecture on the spanish side in the warm sunshine,good roads for the descent then we are soon heading up the next col.Over the top and a drop into Dancharia, one of the shopping meccas just on the Spanish side of the border, then afternoon tea in Ainhoa one of the best Basque villages (all painted red), a large steak finished off the week well before the flight home.

I hope everyone’s enjoyed Nick’s posts; but not too much as you’ve got me again now!

I had a fantastic week back in Harrogate; Izzy and I are now both word perfect in “Sneezles” and “The King’s Breakfast”, two of my favourite childhood poems, a love I’ve delighted in passing on. It was great to catch up with lots of friends while I was back, as well as being able to see Kieran pass his motorcycle test and buy a bike. He should be heading back to France in the next few days.

It’s late now and I’m tired after a very busy weekend, so I’ll do part 2 of “Tour of the Basque Country” tomorrow – watch this space;-)

For the next week there will be a change in focus on this site, blog will now be  B(ike) LOG having swapped Jackie for Glyn at Biaritz airport we arrived home at midnight. Up at seven as we had the offer of a ride with the club, thursday was a bank holiday a sunny 88km then back for apperos before lunch. A slow tour of the area in the afternoon.

Friday dawned and the forcast was for possible rain most of the day so we decided to go out and play it by ear, there was a black cloud in the north so we went south!. after Termes we hit the beaumarche  ridge and rolled into the bastide of Bassous having been passed (just) by a long prosession of antique cars. To early for lunch we pushed on to montesquiou where the only possibility of food was an very ordinary bar, yes we can eat but not untill midday (it was 11.50). We were then shown the resturant down a passage and ate like kings, soup, salad compose, duck breast potatoes courgette au gratin, creme brule, wine, coffee and a “canard” to finish (armagnac served in the warm coffee cup).  The next few miles were a bit of a blur, I missed the turning for Tillac so we visited Mielan in stead, then it seemed like a good plan to visit the house that started the dream, it was onluy 5 miles.  16.30 and still heading south, a quick look at Montegut then head for coffee in Marciac before a flatish ride home arriving 19.30 for food and shower after 98 miles.

nice little pad

the house that started the dream

Welcome to our shiny new website! Hopefully very soon it will be filled with info and pictures of all the fun we’re having, maybe even some work being done, who knows! Check back soon.