Microblog... everyday ramblings interspersed with posts from trips and other activities.
10:55
Boxing day morning. Time to clear the head after the previous night's festivities. Whhooooosh!! 
15:07
Doomed pie is in shock! Great ride this morning (if a little chilly), with the customary stop at Pie in the Sky.
10:59
@thejensie you are a living legend! What a ride in the #atoc today. Simply amazing & what an inspiration to all us 'old' riders!
20:51
Spent some time in Florence last year. Great riding! Love to watch pro peloton hit roads I know 
@inrng: Giro St 9 http://inrng.com/2013/05/giro-pr...
21:27
So let me get this straight... India is now outsourcing brewing to Australia? Not impressed 
14:54
So glad to have friends who drag you out riding when you're feeling crap. Obliterated PR on 1st of 4 gorges. Slowest time ever on last!
13:50
Last of the cloud is almost burnt off by 2pm. Lucky, because it's a great view down on Laruns from here!
The below are collections of posts/images organised by trip or subject or other events. Click on the title or image to view each.
Final weeks in France, Dec '12/Jan '13
Work in progress...
Ski Three Valleys, Dec '12
Work in progress...
Luberon & Surrounds, Nov/Dec '12
Well... I'm not sure if this is all entirely the Luberon, but that's what we're calling this segment of the trip, so...
After what was probably the last of the summer down on the coast, the time had come to return inland and see if we could cope with the winter conditions and add to our experience of Provence by exploring this more Southern Part. The timing was also chosen to kill a few weeks before (hopefully) returning to the Alps for a spot of skiing.
The question seemed to be answered that early in the season, in this part of France, it's chilly, but not unbearably so. Nice!
A word of warning though: you'd think Something-les-Bains would be a top choice for a winter's break. Thermal spa to enjoy and all that? Hmmmm... not so. We were very disappointed that all these spas seemed to be for medical purposes only. No tourists allowed to come and poach themselves in the steaming waters. Doh!
We had wanted to visit the Gorge du Verdon in summer but this just didn't happen, so was very glad to drive thought there a few times in this stint. It has to be said that this really is the highlight of the region. Amazing even in the dim light of a winter's day - surely a walk in the gorge will be a 'must do' experience on a balmy summer's day? Or a bicycle ride along the rim of course! 
Italian & French Riviera, Nov '12
Our time in Italy comes to a close as we head back to France via the coast. Lots of very nice little fishing villages along the way, and a nice (if rather wet) week spent in Manarola, in the heart of Cinque Terre.
Interestingly though, both Pratiwi & I felt very happy to be returning to France. Perhaps having a tiny (yes, very tiny) bit better grip on the language helps? Perhaps we feel more comfortable there after spending more time en français? Perhaps we think the French are friendlier than most Italians? Whatever it is, plenty of happy times in this sector of the trip.
Of course, it's the Riviera so let's drop a few names: Pontovenere, Manarolo, Riomaggiore, Portofino, Genoa, Sanremo, Monte Carlo, Nice, Antibes, Cannes, St Tropez... etc, etc
FWIW, I'm convinced the off season is the time to do this. The weather was beautiful and these places are busy enough in the middle of winter. Crowds would be a complete nightmare come summer!
Rome, Nov '12
When in Rome... erm... I mean, when in Italy... it would be rude not to visit Rome, so here we are.
A very pleasant few days of galleries and piazzas and lots of walking in between. That is despite the rather overcast and wet weather there was to contend with.
Annoyingly we lost a few shots from the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain. Doh! Oh well... next time?
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