Day #19: Helette

Mum is over at out house to watch the weans and Dad called. I had a quick word and he spoke quickly to the kids. He sounds as though he is still thoroughly enjoying the experiance. He then told Granny the news for today:
"110km today, 1458km in total. More than he had planned. Got to Cambo and started looking for accomodtion. Couldn't find any and had to go a further 30km to Helette, a beautiful place, (near Saint Jean-Pied-de-Port where Michael started the Camino de Santiago from) where he got a hotel (€40.00). He says he is really exhausted. Weather miserable - got soaked this morning and this afternoon was misty and overcast. He should be in Spain tomorrow."

Mum just got a text:
Recovered now!! Just had a great bath.

Day #18: Vielle-Saint-Girons

Text from Dad to Mum:
"91km today, 1348km in total. Weather was warm and dry but still overcast. In B&B (€20.00) near Vielle-Saint-Girons, via Perentis-en-Born and Mimizan. Lovely roads today."

Mum text back:
Are you not about due a rest day?

Dad Text back:
Maybe rest in Pamplona, but happy with the odd short day. Love to all. Some blue sky is appearing - first time for a week!

Ouest France Newspaper Article

Eddy sent me the "Ouest France" Newspaper Article:

Sigournais
Un cycliste écossais fait étape dans la commune

Mike Brawley est accueilli par Le Maire, M. Jean Poupon et des cyclistes de Sigournais et Chantonnay

Pour célébrer son 60e anniversaire, Mike Brawley a décidé, maintenant qu'il est préretraité, d'aller voir sa sœur Eileen, installée en Espagne. Apres avoir décidé de relier Zeebrugge en Hollande, c'est a vélo qu'il fait les 2000km qui le séparent de sa sœur. En France, il a visite au passage Châtellerault, ville jumelée sa ville écossaise, Hamilton. II a programme une pause à Sigournais pour retrouver son ami écossais Eddy, qui y habite désormais. Celui-ci lui a réserve un excellent accueil... et une surprise: a son arrivée, vendredi, il était reçu a la mairie de Sigournais par Jean Poupon, le maire, escorte des cyclistes sigournaisiens, sous la conduite de Bernard Guignard. L'arrivée est prévue le 29mai, en Espagne.

Day #17: Gujan Mastras

Text from Dad to Mum:
"In Gujan Mastras. 84km today, 1258km in total. Another soaking just like Scotland in March!"

Spanish fans in Glasgow for the UEFA Cup Final

I am sure most of you are aware that Glasgow hosted the UEFA Cup Final tonight, and since both teams are from Spain I thought I would show a few Spanish fans enjoying the Glasgow atmosphere, beer and of course weather!! Everyone seems to have had a great time (Sevilla fans a bit more than the Espanyol fans due to the result!!)

ESPANYOL FANS IN THE MERCHANT CITY


SEVILLA FANS IN GEORGE SQUARE

Day #16: Hourtin

Text from Dad to Mum:
"I got soaked today. In bath now in a hotel (€24) in a town called Hourtin. Only 52km today - 1174km in total. Still overcast and damp.
Thanks for arranging the flowers."

Day #15: Soulac-Sur-Mer

My Mum text Dad this morning to see if he could adjust his speed so he arrives on Friday 1st of June as someone (shh - secret) is going out to join the welcome party. She let him know Michael's Big Band played last night in Larkhall to help raise money for Chimbote and a local Children's Charity. Mum said it was great. Here is Dad's reply:

"I will adjust my time. Tell Michael & Fiona well done for the concert. In Soulac-Sur-Mer, via Rochefort and Royan. I did 79km, 1122km in total."

Thanks from Eddy & Benny

Mum sent some flowers to Eddy and Benny as a small thank you for the hospitality and effort they put in over the weekend. Below is the thank you email received back.

Hi Eve,
Thanks very much for the flowers they are beautiful, roses are my favourites, the colours are super. They were delivered this morning by EDEN florist. I've enclosed a couple of photo's although they don't do them justice

They are very much appreciated but there was no need, it was a real pleasure having Michael and Javi and like you we are very proud of his achievements so far and I have no doubt that he will free wheel into Denia in great style

Have a fabulous holiday in Denia basking in the sun and Michael's celebrity status and hope to see you at Christmas time in Hamilton

All the best

Benny

Day #14: La Rochelle

Progress text From Dad to Mum:
"In Rochelle, a lovely town. I think I did 84km. The bike's locked up and the speedo is on it. In a hotel (€33.00)"

Day #14: Leaving Sigournais

Just received an email from Eddy:-

Hi Martin
Your Dad was well escorted out of the Vendee by five members of the club, three from Friday and two others. The weather is a bit mixed. He did 59 km.
He will be in La Rochelle by now 14.00 hours

I have enclosed some photos

Regards

Eddy

Day #13: Dad Update Sunday 13 May 2007

It is 5:00 pm. I have just finished a fantastic meal: Duck with all the trimmings. The last 2 days here in Sigournais have been marvellous. I feel like a real celebrity. There are real cycling enthusiasts around here and they are all interested in my trip and in my bike: What weight are you carrying? What gearing are you using? etc. Needless to say, I do not know any of the answers. Yesterday, the local Chateau was opened specially for me and I got a personal conducted tour! I was invited to the Mayors (I cant find the apostrophe symbol on the keyboard, so you will just have to imagine it!) wine cellar for a glass of wine and everybody in the village who hears of this is very jealous. Seemingly it is a very rare occurrence. A huge clap of thunder has just occurred. The weather here has been terrible today. Thank goodness I am not cycling today. Lets hope that there will be an improvement tomorrow. I leave Sigournais tomorrow, and I will be quite sad. Eddy and Benny have been fabulous hosts and the townsfolk are so friendly. I think that there will be an article in the local paper sometime so I hope that Eddy can post it to the blog (or at least Email it to Martin to post it). I have also asked him to Email a copy of the poster that he had pinned up in the town cafe for my arrival. Incidently, Martin everyone is really impressed by the blog. I do not know how many people here have told me that they are following the progress. This morning one of Eddys friends asked him to come in to translate the latest episode. Well done!

I am feeling good after my few days of gluttony and rest but it is back to work tomorrow (well, hardly work, but you know what I mean). Again, a group from the local cycling club are escorting me to the boundary of Le Vendee - I think, perhaps it is to make sure that I leave, rather than a guard of honour!

Over the next week I expect to cover the last stage in France and get into Spain. I think that the hard work might begin then as it will be impossible to avoid some serious hills. However, if my calculations are correct, I am well on target and I intend to reduce my daily distance anyway. Otherwise I might arrive in Denia before Ev on the 28 May - fat chance! I do not know when I will next get to a computer so this might be my last report for some time. Please keep the Blog messages coming though, I intend to read them all when I get home and they will be cherished souvenirs. I have not read many of them but the ones I have read have been great - thank you all. Incidentally, I did note that Aimee was impressed with my poetry. Well, when I lay on the verge smothered in the sight and smell of the field of lavender I came over all lyrical:

"I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high oer vales and hills
When all at once I spied a crowd
A host of blue lavender"

What do you think? I do not think that it is quite there yet, but it is certainly got a ring to it. It rhymes OK but I do not think that it is scanning properly. I will keep working at it.

Anyway, as usual love to everyone, I am missing you all (especially, Megan, Patrick and Ella) Looking forward to seeing Ev and all the Spanish relations at the end of May and everyone else at the end of June.

xx