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Tuesday, 5 May 2009
PAUL - A SPECIAL MAN AND PEDALLER
At some point, during the telephone conversations that I have had with Ben, there is always a point when Ben mentions how patient, understanding, caring and kind Paul has been/is with him during the course of each day's pedalling. Ben's phone calls always include the words 'I couldn't have done it without him'. Paul is a great source of motivation and inspiration to Ben and, at times, it must be very difficult and frustrating for Paul - particularly if he is feeling 'super fit' for another few miles and Ben needs to call a halt to the day's cycling.
Added to which, there is the huge responsibility of cycling this long ride on a 'one to one' basis with a Parkinson's Disease sufferer.
Added to which, there is the huge responsibility of cycling this long ride on a 'one to one' basis with a Parkinson's Disease sufferer.
Not only is Ben so very grateful to Paul for everything but, now that I have become adjusted to Ben having Parkinson's and it's 'knock on' effects on a person, I also cannot thank Paul enough for accompanying and 'watching over' my old man.
I am positive, because he is such a self-effacing man, Paul will not relish me adding this to the blog - but, for once, he is unable to answer me back and is powerless to remove this from the blog!
There you go, Paul - this is for you, with heartfelt thanks from Ben, myself, Melissa and Luke ..... and with love
Jenny
I am positive, because he is such a self-effacing man, Paul will not relish me adding this to the blog - but, for once, he is unable to answer me back and is powerless to remove this from the blog!
There you go, Paul - this is for you, with heartfelt thanks from Ben, myself, Melissa and Luke ..... and with love
Jenny
Monday, 4 May 2009
ELATION!
4 May
How fantastic for Ben and Paul - they have arrived at Le Puy en Velay! They reached the outskirts of the town at 6pm and checked in to the first hostelry that they found - 'Le Biblioteque'.
52.03 miles were cycled today and, by 'French standards' (they have specifically requested that everyone who reads the blog should be aware that, on the occasions when they say the terrain is relatively flat, they are no longer using the word 'flat' with the Fens in mind. The Fen flatness has long been forgotten by our two cyclists) the first 10 miles were relatively flat (undulating).
At last, during those 10 miles, they were given the opportunity to appreciate the Loire, it's size and it's beauty. Prior to this, whilst following the Loire for many miles, their concentration on 'hammering the hills' detracted them from ingesting the river and all it's surrounding glory.
They were completely absorbed in fighting 'the enemy' (the ..... hills) for the ensuing 42.03 miles and all the hardships of the past cycling days were immediately eradicated from their minds when they pedalled in to Le Puy en Velay - tremendous elation and relief immediately replaced all thoughts of the gruelling ride to the start of the Pilgrims' Route.
Knowing full well that a long, hard and wearisome cycle ride is ahead of them - all the way to Santiago de Compostela - our boys are taking a well deserved day of rest tomorrow.
With admiration
Jenny
How fantastic for Ben and Paul - they have arrived at Le Puy en Velay! They reached the outskirts of the town at 6pm and checked in to the first hostelry that they found - 'Le Biblioteque'.
52.03 miles were cycled today and, by 'French standards' (they have specifically requested that everyone who reads the blog should be aware that, on the occasions when they say the terrain is relatively flat, they are no longer using the word 'flat' with the Fens in mind. The Fen flatness has long been forgotten by our two cyclists) the first 10 miles were relatively flat (undulating).
At last, during those 10 miles, they were given the opportunity to appreciate the Loire, it's size and it's beauty. Prior to this, whilst following the Loire for many miles, their concentration on 'hammering the hills' detracted them from ingesting the river and all it's surrounding glory.
They were completely absorbed in fighting 'the enemy' (the ..... hills) for the ensuing 42.03 miles and all the hardships of the past cycling days were immediately eradicated from their minds when they pedalled in to Le Puy en Velay - tremendous elation and relief immediately replaced all thoughts of the gruelling ride to the start of the Pilgrims' Route.
Knowing full well that a long, hard and wearisome cycle ride is ahead of them - all the way to Santiago de Compostela - our boys are taking a well deserved day of rest tomorrow.
With admiration
Jenny
Sunday, 3 May 2009
RESPONSE TO COMMENT 2 MAY!
Professional scenic and sports freelance photographer, Richard Lee,
had planned to cycle with our pedallers on their journey
so that photographs would be emailed to me on a daily basis. Sadly, he had to cancel at the last minute - due to his recently acquired web netbook not functioning. He took these and a previous photograph at Peterborough Station on the day of their departure.
had planned to cycle with our pedallers on their journey
so that photographs would be emailed to me on a daily basis. Sadly, he had to cancel at the last minute - due to his recently acquired web netbook not functioning. He took these and a previous photograph at Peterborough Station on the day of their departure.Due to 3 web netbooks being null and void, there are no photographs - as yet - to be uploaded on to this blog of their journey. Richard is now contemplating joining them on the route in his capacity as official Pilgrimage photographer, as and when he is 100% convinced that his web netbook is fully functional. Richard cancelled many photographic engagements and assignments to travel with the pedallers and this delay must be a great disappointment to him.
He is waiving his fees in favour of Parkinson's Disease Research. Good on you, Rikki!
Jenny
STAMINA!
3 May
They have excelled themselves! Miles cycled today: 65
The first 2 hours were a constant and laborious battle with those dreaded hills and, in that time, they covered 12 miles. Their greatest enemy to conquer was the hill named 'Chambles' which was an 11km climb and took them 1 hour and 40 minutes to ascend. The hotel, gite and bar at the summit were all closed. Bank Holiday weekend (maybe not in France) and they were filled with disbelief.
Two exhausted pedallers cycled downhill into the industrial town of Firminy where they have crashed out in a 'working men's hotel'. The beds are clean and they are certainly not concerned about anything other than falling into them.
Approximately 40 - 50 miles and they will have reached the official starting point of the Pilgrimage, Le Puy en Velay.
GO FOR IT, LADS!
Jenny
They have excelled themselves! Miles cycled today: 65
The first 2 hours were a constant and laborious battle with those dreaded hills and, in that time, they covered 12 miles. Their greatest enemy to conquer was the hill named 'Chambles' which was an 11km climb and took them 1 hour and 40 minutes to ascend. The hotel, gite and bar at the summit were all closed. Bank Holiday weekend (maybe not in France) and they were filled with disbelief.
Two exhausted pedallers cycled downhill into the industrial town of Firminy where they have crashed out in a 'working men's hotel'. The beds are clean and they are certainly not concerned about anything other than falling into them.
Approximately 40 - 50 miles and they will have reached the official starting point of the Pilgrimage, Le Puy en Velay.
GO FOR IT, LADS!
Jenny
Saturday, 2 May 2009
ANOTHER GOOD DAY
2 May
Two happy pedallers arrived in the village of Lentigny, South West of Roanne, late this afternoon. With another 51.5 miles under their belts, God willing and a following wind, they should arrive at Le Puy en Velay on 4 May.
Two stops en route which were for lunch, where they were pestered by two village lads and for the first time ever - Ben had to restrain Paul when he was about to tell them to .....get lost. The second halt was to buy lip balm for both of them plus (this was when the fun started) some cream for Ben's rather sore derriere. Their knowledge of French was not sufficient for the lady to understand but Ben's hand actions were understood!
The countryside's beauty goes from strength to strength - cycling through beef production area yesterday and this morning, which progressed to dairy this afternoon. The weather is sunny, warm and perfect. The fact that the journey consisted entirely of those infamous hills is becoming irrelevant now - in other words, they have adjusted to the terrain ..... for now!
They are staying the night at a Chambre d'hote with Madame La Battleaxe as their host!
Enfin! A woman has made our two lads submissive! Vivre Madame La Battleaxe.
Jenny
Two happy pedallers arrived in the village of Lentigny, South West of Roanne, late this afternoon. With another 51.5 miles under their belts, God willing and a following wind, they should arrive at Le Puy en Velay on 4 May.
Two stops en route which were for lunch, where they were pestered by two village lads and for the first time ever - Ben had to restrain Paul when he was about to tell them to .....get lost. The second halt was to buy lip balm for both of them plus (this was when the fun started) some cream for Ben's rather sore derriere. Their knowledge of French was not sufficient for the lady to understand but Ben's hand actions were understood!
The countryside's beauty goes from strength to strength - cycling through beef production area yesterday and this morning, which progressed to dairy this afternoon. The weather is sunny, warm and perfect. The fact that the journey consisted entirely of those infamous hills is becoming irrelevant now - in other words, they have adjusted to the terrain ..... for now!
They are staying the night at a Chambre d'hote with Madame La Battleaxe as their host!
Enfin! A woman has made our two lads submissive! Vivre Madame La Battleaxe.
Jenny
Friday, 1 May 2009
REVITALISED PEDALLERS
1 May
Following a good night's rest, Ben and Paul left Nevers at 9.25 this morning and were back in motivated and perky mode. They came to the conclusion that the cheese and coffees consumed after their evening meal (Oh no! it couldn't have been the wine) gave them a sleepless and restless night's sleep.
52 miles under their belts today and they are now ensconced in Dompierre sur Besbre for the night. Of course, there were numerous of those now famous hills to conquer, but spirits remained high and so did the hills! Their journey today gave them the opportunity to follow the very beautiful scenery along Le Canal de Loire.
On a personal subject, Ben has had his 2nd shave of the expedition and has come to the conclusion that he doesn't 'do beards' - too much food and too many flies get snagged up in the hairy mass. Why he wanted me to add that astounding bit of information, I will never know. Apparently both pedallers look like tigers where the sun has caught the parts of their heads and faces that their helmets leave exposed. I'm sure that they both look 'tres chic'.
Ben has been able to receive emails and look at the blog - for the first time - today, but remains unable to send emails or messages to the blog. He is seeking help and advice with this issue.
Jenny
Following a good night's rest, Ben and Paul left Nevers at 9.25 this morning and were back in motivated and perky mode. They came to the conclusion that the cheese and coffees consumed after their evening meal (Oh no! it couldn't have been the wine) gave them a sleepless and restless night's sleep.
52 miles under their belts today and they are now ensconced in Dompierre sur Besbre for the night. Of course, there were numerous of those now famous hills to conquer, but spirits remained high and so did the hills! Their journey today gave them the opportunity to follow the very beautiful scenery along Le Canal de Loire.
On a personal subject, Ben has had his 2nd shave of the expedition and has come to the conclusion that he doesn't 'do beards' - too much food and too many flies get snagged up in the hairy mass. Why he wanted me to add that astounding bit of information, I will never know. Apparently both pedallers look like tigers where the sun has caught the parts of their heads and faces that their helmets leave exposed. I'm sure that they both look 'tres chic'.
Ben has been able to receive emails and look at the blog - for the first time - today, but remains unable to send emails or messages to the blog. He is seeking help and advice with this issue.
Jenny
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