This is a great place – enlivened by the TDF today. After breakfast back at last night’s Cafe de la Table Ronde (famous writers wrote here) we spent the morning watching the riders sign on and then leave town. Here are Nibali and G. If you want to see the other 170 odd then just ask!

Just don’t mention that the Col de Lauteret is the 1st of 3 today for them – whereas we are planning to take 2.5 days! But, as Helen says, they aren’t carrying camping gear (and Helen’s washbag that I have christened ‘Nemesis’ because it will probably kill me sooner or later).

Turning to other matters, we visited two museums – a rather conventional art gallery and a rather unconventional museum of local life including such diverse topics as skiing and lingerie! Both fascinating.

Altogether a good day’s relaxation. Sadly the weather is going off again and it looks as though the next few days over the Alps will be wet at times – perhaps very wet for 24 hours. Oh well. It’s been a lovely hot few days.

Woops – just realised that comments have been stacking up waiting for ‘approval’ and we hadn’t seen them. Sorry folks …. they should now be visible. Thanks all…

Helen’s track of the day:
I’m Getting Ready by Michael Kiwanuka
The next 5 days are the key cycling days on the trip so I have to have my brain in a positive frame of mind to get this done. Wish me luck.