Sid and Doris Bonkers and their Epic Journeys
"Everybody is normal until you get to know them"
In which Sid and Doris have a fabulous long ride clear across the Causses de Cevennes and a good way along the Tarn.Last night there was an excellent storm with big rain, lightning and long-rumbling thunder. Today started cold, we wore windproofs to set off. This is the first cool day we have had since… Hungary? Bulgaria? At least two…
Read moreIn which Sid and Doris make a well supplied ride up onto the Causses Cevenole. On our way out of Ganges we bought second breakfast and lunch, not being sure what might be available in the villages on Sunday. On the square we found a fresco based on a photo of one of the 24 silk stocking factories that were…
Read moreAs I mentioned in the Wildlife Update post, most of the interesting wildlife we see – and actually, now we think of it, 100% of the mammals – is/are dead*. So here are some observations. From early on until we entered France we saw at least 3 (dead – assume everything in this post is dead) hedgehogs every day. In…
Read moreIn which Sid and Doris make a bit of a meal of a simple day’s ride.The day is essentially riding along the D999 which heads east, through Nimes and on, and on. It will be a theme. We are pleased to see that the rubbish dump, crem and cemetery are together (all the more fun given they are off the…
Read moreIn which Sid and Doris go holiday riding along the Durance to the Rhone. France is having a canicule, a heatwave. For Sid and Doris this is just another hot and sweaty day, we’ve been hot since at least June 13th and probably longer. In fact we haven’t been writing about the weather, because we’ve just got used to the…
Read moreIn the whole Epic Trip, this is the first country where we’ve actually cycled here before. So the Dorisian free-ranging mind has memories to draw on as well as its usual free association. 1. Old building adverts. I love them. I think eccentric art collectors should be buying up these buildings and shipping them home. 2. Santons. These could be…
Read moreIn which Sid takes Doris to a Big Band FestivalSid (being French-ly literate and articulate) is a keen reader of local papers, particularly about the affairs of the villages and small towns and very pleased to find a big band festival. Pertuis is just 32 kilometres from Rians down (get that?) a charming river valley. The holiday riding is slightly…
Read moreArchitecture – Bottoms – Adjectives – Rivers 1. A new school of architecture We have been observing with interest a type of architecture called “You can build a whole building with this!” Mainly used for purveyors of building material, easy examples are concrete works and marble/limestone quarries. An early winner was a maker of concrete pipes and half-pipes, whose HQ…
Read moreMifter Bat says:Hi there! I have been learning French or as you say how to parlay frog. But I have been very furprifed to see signs advertising “Degustation Ventes”. Disgusting winds! People fay that about me but I don’t put it on posters! Oh also I have thought of a Joke. This is All My Joke and I am very…
Read moreIn which Sid and Doris climb up into Provence and enjoy being able to speak with people on matters other than ordering food and drink.We leave the seaside with a couple of backward looks. For the sailors out there: Our room is named after Gitana VI, a 20 metre Olin Stephens design for Edmond de Rothschild built in 1975. We…
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