THE PILGRIMAGE - DAY 8

13 May
After the photographs arrived, the blog that ensued was not full of substance. They have arrived, after 44 miles of pedalling, at Aire-sur-L'adour. The river L'adour is, in their eyes, very big and they were greeted by an equally big thunderstorm and heavy rain. The pedallers made their way to an Italian restaurant where they devoured pizza (why is there never any mention of alcohol, I wonder) and subsequently crashed into their beds at a 2 star hotel.
By all accounts, the cycling was not so enjoyable today. Not only were there innumberable ..... hills (Quote:"....... the guidebook, that said today's ride would be flat"), Paul and Ben encountered heavy traffic for the first time in many days. It was a shock to their complacent systems and Ben, particularly, felt vulnerable and intimidated by the immense volume of the not so courteously driven lorries and cars.
Hopefully, this is just a short spell when the drivers of motorised vehicles have little, or no, regard and respect for the walking and cycling Pilgrims.
On a lighter note, to end today's report, the pedalling pair were reunited with their friendly cycling competitors - Germany 3 & 4 - in the Italian 'nosherie' tonight and, after exchanging times of arrival at Aire-sur- L'adour, England 1 & 2 remain in the lead and favourites for gold medals.
Here's wishing our two boys a better and less stressful ride tomorrow.
Jenny