In the Midnight Hour…

I was up bright and early at La Colmiane, having decided to go a cross to Puget Theniers, for another Via Feratta, which I’ve done and enjoyed before…

I was soon winding my way down the mountain roads, almost to the valley, until I turned towards the Var region, and drove alongside the river, which I’d been hoping I could have a dip in later…mucky black sludge !, the storms must have brought all the sediment down ! a quick stop at the supermarket for some fresh food, and onto the car park and gearing up for the Via Feratta… it was already hot, and getting hotter…by the second !, and I knew the climb went up a south facing rock wall, so expected a lot more heat as I climbed .. I got to the bottom of the cliff, and looked up into the shimmering heat.. just as I was about to set off, 3 other people arrived to climb it, although let me go up first …thanks

Up I went into the heat, and soon the sweat was running down my face, dripping across my sunglasses, and down onto the rocks beneath me, this was going to be fun ! I was soon towering above the ground, the route went straight up the wall, quickly gaining height, so I kept going ! soon looking down on the valley below, whilst my knees trembled and knocked ..up to the top of the first of the Aiguillettes, where there was the first Himalayan bridge to cross,up onto the middle Aiguillettes, across the ridge, and onto a further, single rope bridge – which I let the others cross first (to get some pics, honest !) and I followed, up and around the last tower, before attaching myself to the Tyrolean traverse,  and shooting across between the last towers, and an overhanging downclimb to finish me off !! Good fun, and nice to have someone around when I’m climbing.. I wandered back to the car park, looking up at the towers which I’d just climbed over,along and down..phew !

I had lunch, whilst pondering my next move… everything seemed down towards the south of France, and then I decided…I’d go across to St Amond Montrond..to watch the hopefullly sprint finish of tomorrows TdF stage, it was a fair way, but it would take me across to the middle of the country, from where I could go anywhere, and I deserved a ‘day off’ !

By mid afternoon I started on the long journey, I’d decided to do half today, and the rest tomorrow, but even half was a tortuous journey…up,across,down mountain passes, as I crossed the Alpes Maritime, skirting the main alps, and Switzerland,passing Grenoble around 6 p.m., where I filled up, and continued…it was getting tough, although I did have a break around 9-30 p.m., whilst it went ‘properly dark’ as I traversed Lyon, getting used to driving in the dark again,and with my headlight strength reduced…not easy, as I kept going hoping to get somewhere out of the way, where I could safely stop for the night…

I’d heard that Mark Cavendish had just been beaten in today’s race,and I realised it was good idea to go and lend my support…that did keep me going !

I did eventually find somewhere just after midnight, off the RN7 ( Route Napoleon) and parked in a forest clearing next to another van, and promptly fell asleep…what a day/evening/night !