L2P day five

This was meant to be 40km today but we arrived at Notre Dame and the official Centrepoint of Paris at 1730 after leaving at 09:30 this morning. After a circular route around the marina we set out for the hills and managed to get lost visiting Chambourcy twice and then a diversion onto the N5 where several motorists were shouting at us. We thought this might be because of the Dutch Vuvuzela and comedy Vuvuzela hat which we had collected from the game last night and had strapped to the back of the bikes. In fact we realised that bikes were not allowed on the motorway and made an exit as soon as we could. Onto the outskirts of Paris and a coffee stop. We got lost several times with hindsight a map that was slightly bigger than a postcard would have helped. Onto the final stretch to the Champs Elysee the Arc de Triomphe and onto the Notre Dame. About 240 miles in 5 days and no serious incidents. We are staying in Montparnasse this evening about 4 miles from Centre and then flight back to Manchester tommorrow night. We are getting close to our fundraising target with money pledged in last few days and offline we have £75 from a Junior School talent evening £20 from a rail ticket donation and £50 pledge so still working in right direction for a great cause.

L2P day four

Just over 60 miles today Haucourt to Cergy-pointoise which is about 40 km outside of Paris. Once again the weather was stifling in excess of 30 degrees all day but cycling along you create your own breeze and we made excellent progress after leaving La Chataigneraie at 9:00. We could not find a lunchstop open anywhere so settled for a Jacobs lunch in the shadow of a village consisting of a strawberry energy shake a flap du jack two maple biscuits and a bag of energy beans. There was a cemetry further up the road where we filled up with water and recited "there is a greenhouse far away" ( one of the graves had a fitted glass greenhouse around it). We eventually found a patisserie about 3:30 for ice cold coke sanwiches and egg tart. Final stop Ibis hotel in the centre of large town for the World Cup Final tonight. Sports Bar here we come .....after a cold shower.

L2P day three

We got down to the ferry terminal just before 8 to find there would be a 2 hour delay to sailing time so we found a Sainsbury Cafe for breakfast and lunch (wine) for the crossing. Eventually left port at 12 so 3 hours behind schedule. Very foggy crossing and with losing hour left Dieppe at 5. The route to Avenue Verte on easy roads then 25 miles of fabulous cycle road before turning off to overnight stay about 40 miles total in 3 hours. Fantastic place to stay with dinner pre-arranged and 3 bottles (wine) for 11 euro. Four proper beds and a good nights sleep in a little oasis. Biggest day for miles tommorrow but passed 130 miles now. One puncture today and a sqeaky bottom bracket. Weather glorious.

L2P day two

Travelling from Redhill to Newhaven covering about 52 miles on sustrans route. Blistering sun so popped in to the Jolly Tanners for a bit of lunch (beer) and then steady afternoon just one puncture to Brighton. Excellent bike shop fettled two bikes for us plus new inner tube then seafront to the recommended Fortune of War (beer). Final leg to Newhaven for 7 along the seafront to the Premier Inn. Yesterdays highlights were people watching on the Brighton front with tapas of pickled egg and a tray of chips. Met 4 proper serious L2P cyclists who had a back up car. We are more relaxed however.

L2P day one

We set off in good time from Sowerby Bridge station. The owner of the Jubilee Refreshment rooms asked where we were going so was quite impressed by Paris. The old guy propping up the bar simply said "that's cheating if you're going by train". The train was late getting into London Kings Cross so we got to Centre Point at 7:00 for the official start photo. Some 40 odd miles later we arrived in Redhill at 11:20 in time for very last orders but no supper. Good job we had a Yorkshire curd tart on the way down. It has been a beauiful evening to meander through central London via Cutty Sark and Sustrans Route 21. Tommorrow it's Brighton and Newhaven.

Classic Footage

Worth a look - classic film footage of the University circa 1950s and 60s:

Newcastle Uni Open Day

Went with Jacob to look around on the Open Day. Over two days they were expecting between 4-5000 visitors. It was very busy when we arrived about11:00 and we saw the racing pigeons on the way in which we both liked to see. Plenty of black and white in evidence as you would expect. The building works are mainly completed and it is a much smarter environment than last visit a year ago when everything was in progress. We liked the facilities and the closeness to the City. Accommodation looked good and reasonably priced: show flats were newly painted! Came across the IT fix company in the student union and passed that on as it looked a good concept. Well worth a visit - great courses, great facilities, great social life and reasonable prices. It's good enough Princess Beatrice apparently (mentioned twice by students who took us on tours so they think that is important for visitors to know)