Supposed to be a light day today! So about 30 miles in the saddle and up a climb slightly above the height of Ben Nevis! Stunning views both looking down where we had climbed and across to the snow-capped peaks opposite. When we descended couldn’t believe how much we had climbed. About 80 + minutes climbing and 3 minutes to get down. Sitting now in sunshine with a glass in my hand. Very French!

We are thinking about Alpe d’Huez again tomorrow!

I am thinking stories as well. Trying to write a pirate story for next Monday’s gig. Poor Dave and George might have to listen to it.

Sitting with a well eating cuppa reflecting on our day. We did it and achieved a dream! Our day didn’t get off to a great start. Those of you who know France will know that most shops Don’t open on a Sunday so we were light on provisions so fortified with black tea and porridge made with water we were off! A light pedal into the village to get the legs working and straight into the climb with the 22 hairpin bends. I decided to keep to steady rhythm so my young bucks went on ahead. The old bloke carried the padlock and the cake (made by Daisy)!!!

Surprisingly I overtook a fair number of youngsters peddling up. Round and round went the crankshaft down cascaded the sweat in buckets. Soon saw the village below reduced to model village. Now the thrusting young bucks started to overtake. Onward and upward the minutes ticked away and I would like to say I was eating up the miles. For those of you who know Frocester Hill at home it is about a mile to the top. Already I had covered about 7 or so miles when I saw the village high above. Some people were stopping for a drink or a rest but this old boy kept grinding away. As I approached 10 miles the village was almost there,sadly it was a mirage almost another mile before I raised my arms aloft just like a tour stage win! After handshakes photos we went onto the col de Sarenne at 2000 metres and this bit was hard and slow! Grind no it was slower than a grind! Then we started the descent which was terrifying especially with the drop at side. Not sure if I have felt so scared on a bike. Touched 40 mph but brakes were used a lot! Even managed to puncture on a level bit no team car or mechanic to help! A lovely ride back through breathtaking scenery. Body needs seeing to no blonde Swedish masseur in sight so better have a beer instead!

Feel right chuffed as my mum would say. Still life in the old dog! More adventures tomorrow! Forgot to mention there was a cuckoo singing at the top of the col De Sarenne. Not sure who is more cuckoo me or that bird singing so high up.

Well we are now nestling under the mountains awaiting our fate. They look gigantic from here! Tomorrow it is Alpe d’Huez we are aiming to do a loop via the Col De Sarenne. Feeling nervous now especially seeing all the fit young cyclists from all around the world that are here! I look the oldest but no doubt some old chap will glide by me on the way up! Update tomorrow night!

Well this is it! We are off tomorrow so this may be my last blog for a week or so depending on Wi -Fi access at the camp site. The van is semi packed still have to fit in George’s stuff. All being well Alpe d’Huez is on the Monday and other mountains Tuesday and Wednesday if the body is OK? Clare is off to see Monet’s garden mid-week she is on a jaunt with Barbara a friend. So anyone trying to book a gig  in the next few days I may not be able get back to you till around 15th/16th; you can email me or leave a message on the phone.

Had a lovely welcome and response at my gig in Birmingham on Wednesday. early disaster was there was an accident on the M 42 so got caught in traffic (journey took twice as long as I anticipated. The Shakespeare story got its first airing. I missed a few bits but feel it has potential for future development.

Yesterday we popped down to Exeter to pick up Dave’s stuff. We went to see a theatre group do a lovely production of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight in the cathedral. We moved around the cathedral for different scenes. It was an original telling with a mix of media.

Au Revoir!!!!!

The nearest song title (thanks Bob) to what is on my mind! Getting close to leaving for the Alps for our cycle ride. So nervous excitement is building, I have been taking it easy on the bike this week. George and I set off on Saturday and we meet our David at the campsite on Sunday night. We are collecting David’s bike from Exeter on Thursday (so we can take it out in the van) and we are going to see Gawain and the Green Knight with Dave and Vicky.

Actually managed to play a game of cricket yesterday. I did manage 28 but wasn’t really timing the ball, it has been nearly a month since I played because of the weather!

Off to Birmingham tomorrow for a gig. doing the Shakespeare story I have mentioned previously and First World War story I haven’t done before.

My sporting idyll has hit the buffers! No cricket on Thursday and surprisingly no cricket today (supposed to be a waterlogged pitch but I think our opposition were struggling for a team. I have another game on Monday at the lovely Stowell Park but the forecast is iffy! Hopefully riding with the old groynes tomorrow.

I finished the Shakespeare story,  a little bit contrived but I was asked for a Shakespeare story-will have its World Premiere at my gig in Birmingham on Wednesday. If it goes well I may perform it a fortnight Monday as well.

The title for today’s blog came from watching Carole King and James Taylor last night. Forgotten what an excellent album Tapestry was!

Better late than never with a post! Last Friday went to Cardiff to see our Mike in Bouncers at St David’s Hall. He played the part of Lucky Eric and was superb-very proud big Bruv! Several members of the family had turned out so good to see everyone.

Saturday saw us drive up to Scotland to meet up with many old friends on our traditional OTT weekend. Good to catch up, walk, bird watch and cycle as well eat and drink! We stopped one night in the Lakes on the way back just above Ullswater-we have promised ourselves more time there perhaps later in the year or certainly next year. We should be able to time it to miss many of the crowds. We also promised ourselves the Hay Festival next year. I managed to cycle the Kirkstone Pass my highest pedal this year, good training for the Alps! Was pleased with how well I managed it. Getting very excited just over a week away! One more long ride this weekend and then a few gentle rides next week. Next week I will be busy with cricket and my gig in Birmingham.

I found the election results disturbing especially the way selfish negativity is coming to the fore. Would be good to see someone lead with a positive message about people and the environment!

Of course this year is the anniversary of Laurie Lee’s birth so there is much happening around the area. We are hoping to go to two or three events over the next month. I always remember when first came to Stroud I stayed for the first fortnight with the school secretary who had gone to school with Laurie Lee. I did ask her if she was Rosie! In that first year when i didn’t know anyone I used to go on long walks often in the Slad Valley and would end up for a beer in the Woolpack and he would invariably be there. I used to eavesdrop just to hear that lovely rich Stroud burr that I found so romantically evocative.

Got some interesting gigs over the next couple of months. I have said yes to the RSPB on midsummer’s day.

What a great spell of weather! Certainly good to sit outside and enjoy a ride in the sunshine. Over 120 miles in the saddle last week. We had a great ride yesterday 44 miles in the heat. The Alps are looming and getting ever closer! I am supposed to be playing cricket against Somerset on Thursday it will be ironic if after this great weekend’s sun  the weather spoils my cricket!

The Shakespeare story is looking a bit contrived so I may have to re look at it.

I actually watched my first cup final in nearly 30 years because I wasn’t playing cricket and I enjoyed the game!

Not the right quote or play for last night! We watched Henry IV (part 1) at the cinema live from Stratford with Antony Sher as a brilliant Falstaff. He was outstanding, a superb presence and great timing. We are going to see Henry IV (part 2) in August at Stratford so it will be good to compare the different experiences. We thought some of the close-ups of the actors particularly Falstaff and Percy were excellent and you wouldn’t get that at the theatre but on the down side you couldn’t get the whole stage on occasions.

With the quote above my Shakespeare story is still developing and the quote above hopefully is featuring in it. I have to perform it the first week of June.

Had an enquiry from the RSPB about doing an open air performance at a  Devon reserve on Midsummer’s Day. Got back to doing a Wick Court session on Tuesday. Children did really well although as they came from Aylesbury and frequently see Red Kites over their school it did feel slightly bizarre showing them a Swallow in the telescope.