Day 3 From St Martin des Besaces to Touquettes

An early start for the mini team of cycle tourers, Libby, Jose and I; starting with a delightful descent and then some climbs into the area known as Switzerland of Normandy; perfect training for my forthcoming alpine experiences. There was even a little singing from us all, an eclectic mix from “I’m the king of the jungle”, to Simon & Garfunkel, via Metallica! Here the hills were rounded rather than jagged mountains; but the livestock with still very alpine with beautiful cattle, apologies for not knowing the varieties! We also avoided any run ins with farmers dogs for which I was very glad. The route took us down to a lovely river valley, from where we enjoyed a delightful paved cycleway alongside the river, divine!
Shortly after this I bid farewell to my touring friends, and headed towards my evenings destination; firstly, finding the French Symond’s Yat! The temptation to jump in for a swim was great, but today the distance was epic so I needed to crack on… up a 20% long climb out of the delightful valley!
I cycled through a beautiful fortified town, Falaise, impressive battlements of which I thought my godchildren and their siblings ,would be impressed, budding historians that they are!
Cherries lining the road alerted me to a cherry tree, which reminded me of the KT tunstall song we sing in choir… so I popped my trusty steed in beside the tree for a cheeky photo, before indulging in plenty of scrumped cherries, and a rendition of the song as I cycled along!
Cycling Southwards from the D-Day beaches I was struck by how long the liberation of France took; soldiers were fighting from one hedgerow to the next, slowly advancing day by day. I came upon a war memorial at a key strategic site, the Trun-Chambois Gap, a battle that occurred on 20th August 1944; a combined effort of Polish, American and Canadian soldiers. My grandfather was Canadian and served during the war, so I felt a connection to this site.
Again it took my mind to Ukraine where such similar battles are occurring daily; incurring injuries on both sides, affecting military and civilians alike. It saddens me so much that we have not learnt from prior experience.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Pedalling Poole to Provence for Parkinson's

As someone diagnosed with Parkinson’s’ Disease aged 37, I was rather desperate to find any silver linings possible, and at the very least rays of hope to help me weather the storm that accompanies receiving a diagnosis of a progressive degenerative incurable neurological condition. Within weeks of receiving my diagnosis I discovered Cure Parkinson’s and subsequently attended their seminar on research they have funded.  There began my journey of equipping myself with the maximal knowledge I could on cutting edge research, to hopefully minimize the burden of this disease upon my future life. The research funded by Cure Parkinson’s is literally working to save lives, and selfishly I am rather keen that they do this apace! Having cycled Lands End to John O’Groats last year, I made a rather delightful discovery for myself; that if I cycled at least 50 miles a day I no longer felt that I had Parkinson’s. I was able to write a letter again, something I have not done for many years. And so, t
Read more

Day 1- Poole to Saint Mere Eglise

Image
It’s rather lovely to start a journey setting sail from your home port; for me this is Poole, Dorset. Setting sail from Poole on Brittany Ferries ship Barfleur is particularly significant for me, as it was almost five years ago on a sunny summer’s day that I was setting sail from Poole as I received a telephone call from my neurologist to impart the words I was dreading to hear. “Hi Claire, I’m afraid your DAT scan is abnormal; you have Parkinson’s Disease.” A few weeks previously my sister had driven me to Poole hospital, where the lovely team in Nuclear Medicine, gave me a radioactive isotope and asked me to return a few hours hence for the Radiographic DAT Scan. The news that I have received from my neurologist sank in as the Barfleur Ferry navigated its way through Poole Harbour, past the chain ferry and alongside Shell Bay. Summer holidays were in full swing and I could see families aplenty enjoying the sunshine, sand and sea. I wept. I was 37; single; a GP Partner, almost a Pub
Read more

Day 8 - Hereford to Ironbridge

Having enjoyed a delightful stay at an Airbnb in Kenchester at a stud farm, the cycle across Herefordshire began; beautiful countyside with lots of farming along the way, alas no spring lambs to share my lunch with! I took a mostly country lane route, first to Leominster. Feeling a little low in energy I took the opportunity of a little bakers to grab a doughnut, and whilst sitting on the bench outside a lady called Hazel asked me whether I was on holiday in the area; I suppose there are not many lycra clad cyclists with panniers frequenting Leominster! I mentioned my cycle for Cure PArkinson's Trust and she kindly donated £20 to CPT! Thank you HAzel! Onwards to Ludlow, and as I cycled into the town I spied my mother's VW van, and managed to bump into her on the street there, so we enjoyed a delicious al fresco lunch at Harp lane cafe, whilst a classical guitarist busked on the street! It was wonderful! https://harplane.com/ Onwards then across Herefordshire and into Shropshire
Read more