Tour de Williams

 

Woke with the sunrise with a view to getting out on the road to see what the legs could do. We had some local french delicacies delivered by our host from a nearby patisserie and they somewhat delayed le grand depart.

Bryn and I then embarked on the lumpy ride over to Malaucene, one of the 3 (and apparently the hardest ..) starting points for Mont Ventoux. We were quite pleased to get those first 9 miles done and felt relatively fresh but with only trepidation as to what was to come.

Neither of us were prepared for what happened next, although we did find the first few kilometres bearable, unrelenting, but bearable. Any other ride you tend to know even after an uphill you'd have a bit of flat, or a downhill. All you could hope here was a bit of less gradient from time to time.

We did get a bit of that until about the 8th or 9th kilometre, and were enjoying the views and taking the odd stop.  Restarting after the stops was getting harder, and around kilometre 10 Bryns legs hit the jelly phase and his ride was over.

Fair dos to the lad he walked the next 3 kilometres as I persisted as best I could, but as my legs began to really feel the strain it was clear the fun side of things was fading fast.  Could we have struggled on? Half walking, waiting for some shallower gradients? Maybe, but the wind was quite intense, le mistral in full voice, and we hadn't hit the exposed bit yet.

So it was an about turn and a 20 minute whizz down the mountain with thoughts of what could have been, respect to those who can spin their way up, and awe at the guys who race this. Will I be back to complete unfinished business? Unlikely on this trip, but I could be open to offers ...

Back in Malaucene we recouperated with a coffee and a smoothie, and the girls drove over, Carys as the spare rider, but Bryn wanted to soldier the 9 miles back to pierrelongue.  Head down, with just the one stop to take a picture of the castle in Entrechaux.

I think he might have regretted that as a few of the lumps felt a lot harder on the way back but we got there, and mission sort of accomplished. We asked ourselves the question, and got the answer.  And more to the point enjoyed another father and son blast to the past.

Nice to pick at a bit of cheese, cold meats and rehydrate, before a little chill in the hot tub mid afternoon, and enjoy some AirBnB home comforts.

Move to the slightly colder pool late afternoon, be kidding ourselves if we thought that offered the opportunity to do much in the way of exercise.

It was then back up to 'buis de barrones' the town I mentioned yesterday; bit more info on that, dates and some of the style can be traced back to medieval times, and its position on the a lovely river allowed a few tidy pictures.

We found a little french brasserie where I had to do the entrocote, medium rate with frites and a bit of ratatouille. Apparently the latter, very specifically tomatoy and oniony a very particular part of the cuisine in these parts. Dessert was yoghurt, although more appealingly entitled fromage avec couslis au chocolat.

With one of us driving was keen to get back to the AirbnB and take a glass of the Ventoux Rose, raising a glass to the 'giant of provence'. It will continue to hold the mystique and respect I have held it in for so long.

Proving my exhaustion from the day before, I slept in well after the boys had set off - well, I woke up several times in between but it wasn't until around 10am that I actually got up. A mixed breakfast of pastry, bread and fruit greeted me, washed down with juice.

I spent the morning reading, having later on in the day finished the first book I brought with me which I'd started the other week, and am now starting a second. I'm trying to vary my reading spots, from my bed, to the different sofas, to the tables indoors and outdoors, to the sun loungers, and the hot tub. It's been quite successful so far, each providing a refreshing perspective to spur me on with my reading. 

Anyway, after a while, we went out to join the boys in town at the bottom of the mountain, and mum and I did another brief food shop - this time I was actually present, so took full advantage of it. We made our way back, with a slight detour due to confusion on behalf of google maps, which wanted to take us a shorter, unknown route. We eventually got back on track, and did get home much quicker than expected, including the confusion.

 We sat in the lovely weather, and indulged in the treats we'd bought - including goats cheese, a personal favourite of mine. The remainder of the afternoon was spent lounging, reading and more lounging. I went to visit the pool and the little cosy spot in which we could sit near it - I think I might have a dip tomorrow if it's warm enough out.

Then, we went out in search for dinner. I'm really appreciating the views on these car journeys, it feels like we're in the bottom of  valley or a canyon, and it really is breathtaking. The village we went to was just as picturesque and quaint as mum had described - like something straight out of Beauty and The Beast. I felt enchanted by the pretty lights and cobblestone streets. After a bit of wandering, and taking of pictures, we chose a restaurant near the river for food. I ordered the vegetarian burger, which I can now name, I believe, the nicest burger I have ever eaten, veggie or otherwise. It had cheese, onions, courgette, white sauce, tomato, and multiple other vegetables that all made it into my ideal burger. I absolutely loved it for some reason. The patty was buckwheat, which had quite  unique flavour and brilliant texture. It was accompanied by crispy chips, with very little potato inside each one, but still very tasty. I followed dad's example for dessert, in a moment of panic, unsure what to choose, and although not so much a favourite of mine, the chocolatey-yoghurt type thing was reasonable enough. 

Back to the house for a dip in the hottub, and, you guessed it, more reading. What a dream!