Initial Thoughts

I have deliberately not brought my diary notes to the computer as I do not intend this to be a list of places that I have passed through or "interesting" buildings that I have seen but more my initial thoughts now that I have arrived at my destination.
I have slept badly for the last 3 nights and I remember sleeping badly for a few nights before I left Scotland. This trip has recreated for me the feeling that Christmas morning had when I was a child. Fantastic!
Right, in no particular order:

• I have been absolutely overwhelmed by the interest that my trip has generated. You would not believe the reception that I received here in Denia when I arrived yesterday. I was met, as in Sigournais, by a group of cyclists about 15 km out of town ( about 10 from Denia and another 10 from Valencia). these were different cyclists from the French "club Racers" but were of all ages and all styles of bike. We meandered along a camino between orange groves at a leisurely pace. When we arrived in Denia we cycled down the main street bells ringing, horns blowing and I was told that I was in the middle of a political "Critical Mass" protest about the lack of cycle facilities in the town. Everything was good natured and it was good fun. We all then headed up to Eileen's. As we approached I was amazed to see Martin with his camera and even more amazed as I cycled through Eileen's gate at the head of the group of cyclists to see, one after the other: Lena, Agnes, John, Morag, Michael (Boyle and Brawley) and my mum, in addition to the Spanish branch of the family: Toya, Chris, Jorge, Elana, Jose and, of course, Eileen and Ev. I could not believe it. I had a suspicion that my mum might have been there but what a crowd. This is 24 hours later and I am still trying to come to terms with it all. Fiona and Juan could not get time off of work, but I spoke to both of them on the phone and poor Megan, Patrick and Ella had to stay at home for school. The local Sports Councillor presented me with a limited edition print of Denia by a local artist and I was given flowers and champagne and one of Eileen's neighbours gave me a bottle of wine. Absolutely fantastic! The long tables and benches were set out under the shade of the pine tree and we settled down to a (mafia style) feast of food, drink, jokes, loud talking, kids playing, rotten patter - unbelievable.
  
• This last week on the bike has been great. Spanish weather, at long last, mountain roads, virtually traffic free, great wee villages.
  
• In Ontinyent, I was interviewed (in Spanish!) by the local television channel - luckily, I think that their viewing figures are low. I was also interviewed, and photographed, by 2 different local newspapers. Big Mig does not know how lucky he is that I granted him an audience. There was also an article in the Denia local paper and there was a photographer from that paper at Eileen's when I arrived yesterday. See me, see fame!
  
• My bike was great. Do you know that I never even had to put air in the tyres? It has performed impeccably over the trip despite being cold, wet and boiling hot - sometimes all on the same day. Once I had to replace the chain and once I had to adjust a pedal. If it was a car I would buy it a personalised number plate!
  
• I have stayed in hostals where I was on my own and was asked to leave the keys on the reception desk and leave in the morning via the fire exit.
  
• I stayed in a "Casa Rural" in the old part of Ontinyent which was 4 stories high and, again, I was on my own and was asked to leave the money and the keys and simply close the door after me when I left in the morning.
  
• I have eaten fantastic dinners, 3 courses, wine, water, coffee, bread for 8 euros.
  
• I have been given free peaches and cherries by local farmers at the side of rural roads.
  
• I have attended a local fiesta in the hills above Santa Cruz and been wined and dined in some style.
  
• I have received incredible hospitality in Sigournais (surely the friendliest town in France!) and in Denia.
  
• I have been frightened out of my wits by heavy lorries on the approach to large towns (particularly Zaragoza).
  
• I have been frightened out of my wits by daft dugs at farms along the way.
  
• I have been exhilarated in the mountains, both by managing to climb the steepest, longest hills I've ever come across and by tearing down the descents at breakneck speed. - I have even more admiration now for the pro riders in the major tours than I had before.
  
• I have met some characters, eg George and Eric, aged 67 and 76 respectively. Both from the north of England and cycling from Nantes airport to south of Bordeaux. George very proudly showed me the contraption that he had "invented" and made from curtain rails for carrying his panniers when they were off the bike. Eric had been a rose grower and had bred the Freddy Mercury rose. He also had just treated himself to a new bike frame (remember, he's 76) and had had to experiment with the pedal lengths to compensate for the fact that his knee replacement operation had left one leg shorter than the other. Wonderful, eh?
  
• Would I do it again? Yes, tomorrow! I feel great. Fitter and leaner than I have felt for years. I don't know when I'll come down from the "High" that my receptions in Sigounais and Denia have left me with.
  
• I will spend the winter reading and rereading the marvellous blog that Martin set up and maintained and trying to make some sense and semblance of order of my daily notes.
  
• Who knows, I may even get my allotted 15 minutes of fame if the film ever gets televised. Javier, the film maker has told me that he has 30 hours of film. When I was being interviewed for Ontinyent television, Javier was filming the filming!
  
• I hope to go through Martin's blog once I get home and respond to the comments. So keep watching this space for some time to come. I am told that there have now been well over 2000 hits - incredible
  

I am about to sign off. We are all going for a paella - a fulfilment of Martin's "Pies to Paella" prophecy! I am now looking forward to the second part of this holiday of lifetime - the drive back up through the other side of France. I cannot begin to thank all the people who have contributed to make this trip so exciting - Ev, Eddy and Benny, Eileen, Martin, all of my friends and family who made the going away and arrival parties so great, my work and workmates for giving me the time off and for the good wishes and all you, dear readers for encouraging and sticking with the unfolding story.
hasta luego,

Mike xx