Great Day to be British !

A well deserved nights sleep, in what turned out to be a lovely woodland setting, where I’d ended up in the early hours…no time for relaxing though, I still had a few hours drive to the days destination..however by shortly after 11 a.m., I had made it, to St Amond Montrand, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint-Amand-Montrond  in Central France , this is great I thought, as I parked in the shadow of some trees, alongside the canal, what a place to stay ! – not quite though, I found out at the tourist office, that the finish was a short distance away, and as I returned to Wally, to find some kids messing with my bikes…thought I’d drive there..which I did, going along the finishing straight (up to 500 mts away from the line ! ), and eventually finding my way to a parking field..a mown meadow, glorious perfumes from surrounding bushes,although not much shade, and again it was hot ! I’d brought my own shade with me though, and soon had the decorations out also !

I had a quick wander round the area, working out where to go, watching the British ex-rider and now commentator for ITV4 – Chris Boardman –doing his interview piece for TV, showing what a dangerous finishing 1km to go to the line  -entertaining watching him having to do many re-takes, as different people walked across the road,or stopped in front of him - I did offer to stop the traffic, although he didn’t accept !

Then along the finishing ‘kinks’ and to the finish line area and presentation stand, where I hoped to see Mark Cavendish later (and Chris Froome ), I was excited and ready for the finish (still 5hours away), bumping into a small British contingent near the finish, who gave me some useful info on the area… then it was back to Wally for lunch and cool in the shade, even so it was still hot and humid..

By mid afternoon I decided to go near where I was parked for a while,watching the cars go zooming by, including the Vittel water cannon ! ,then it was time to pack my things, drape the union jack over my shoulders, and head for the finish line area, just as the Publicity caravan was passing, including several cars from ‘York…Shire’ as the French commentator said !

I stood near to one of the giant TV screens, opposite the VIP stand, and within the last 50 mts of the finish, with a view of the line, it was as good as I could get…and the build up was electrifying…I was ready, and the crowd was – I’d like to say I got a picture of the sprinters…whoosh they were past, with Mark Cavendish sprinting superbly to win today's stage, I got a good view of him finishing, and as he threw his arms in the air…so did I ! Well worth the travel across, I knew he needed my support !

I did manage to see most of the  other riders going through, Cavendish’s team mates with arms aloft, and Chris Froome wearily going through, retaining the yellow jersey, albeit pegged back a little

Then it was time to get to the presentation area,packed already, how was I to see anything, then an opportunity beckoned-a wall at the back of the crowd, behind the TV camera platform, with a rail to hold onto, perfect for any climber, and I was soon up on it, well above the crowd, with a view straight across to the platform area…and then the view I’d come for…Mark Cavendish  arms aloft, as he was presented with the days prize, quickly followed by Chris Froome, still the race leader, and wearer of the Yellow Jersey, along with another of Cavendish’s team mates and others, before Cavendish was presented with the ‘Most Combative Rider of the Day’ prize  - a fitting finale

I had a wander round the area, trying to get into the press area and compound, didn’t quite manage it, watching French TV interviewers, and spotting one of my own villages ex-rider and now radio/TV commentator Rob Hayles- he didn’t have much to say,indicating it was too hot ! Then a final peramble,with Frenchman congratulating ME on Cavendish’s win –it was worth the trek ! More  pictures and slow wander back to Wally, as the clearing up had already begun…

I found myself a nice Aire, by a lake, just outside town, near to some shops,water and toilet waste disposal with the Bastille day celebration weekend to come…I think I’ll stay !  I didn’t quite sleep with my flag around me…almost , Good night !