Ambitions realised

9th May.

First, a rant about wifi access, and they way ISPs dominate and dictate who can access a service paid for by an individual. Apologies for the lack of updates over the last few days. I had hoped to share Ann’s service,and then Jane’s, but it was not to be.

Ann uses a Spanish Vodafone 3G card, so really it was understandable that it wouldn’t work. I didn’t try using her card in my PC,instead I hoped to share the connection using a network cable – no go.

Jane’s was a different situation. She has a modem provided by AOL, and it seemed the only way to share this was to install the AOL software, which for me was a step too far. Surprisingly, it wouldn’t even allowme to log onto the (AOL) blog page, I could view the actual page, but was denied the log in script, so I couldn’t update it!

Anyway, on to the events of yesterday and today.

I had a really good nights sleep in the tent, only disturbed by the moonlight shining down, reassuring me that the weather had cleared. In the morning it was beautiful day, and the Pyrenees looked majestic in the hinterland, capped with snow, . No chance of breakfast soI broke camp and got out on the road. The stretch of motorway that runs from the border up to Beziers was littered with wind socks, so I guess it is renowned for high winds, and today was no exceptions, by the time I hit the turn off for Beziers and the A75, I was already feeling battered by head winds,but the journey north up the A75 left me thinking I had grown weaker(er) overnight, as the wind forced my head back and even worse, tried to force my legs out from the bike.

This stretch of road is now unbelievable. The last time I made this journey, vast stretches were under construction. It’s now finished and the road surface is perfect, and even better it is toll free. The road rises to over 800meters above sea level, and the scenery is stunning. What was concerning me as I made this journey was that the high winds would make the Millau viaduct impassable. I don’t like heights, but the last time I passed this way I had to go through the town of Millau,and could see this enormous construction dominating the landscape and since that day I have watched the progress of the viaduct and looked forward to making the crossing. Today was the day.

Finally the viaduct came into view and I was relieved it had a 110kph speed limit. I slowed down to 90kph anyway, to enjoy the view of the supporting towers, which really are a work of art, and the town, far below. The only disappointment was the viewing area is not completed, so I couldn’t stop to take photographs.If you haven’t seen it, google “Millau” and you’ll find pictures.

The only stretch of the A75 that I used that was subject to a toll was the bridge, and at €3.50 it was worth it.

After this highlight I left the motorway as I had been gradually chilled by the winds, and was feeling hungry. I stopped at a the Hotel des Voyageurs in Pont de Salars and enjoyed a Entrecote Borderlaise steak and chips, followed by a coffee, and felt warm and ready to go on.

The day grew warmer as I worked my way to Jane and Steve’s, through Rodez, Figeac and Rocomadour, where we had visited a few years ago with our friends Rob and Linda. Riding off the motorway on the N roads does not make the same progress, but is much more rewarding, and reminded of how fine the south of France is.They know how to do forests. Mile after mile, as far as the eye can see when you're on one of the higher view points. I was enjoying the bike, it is behaving flawlessly, and I discovered that while I don’t have to change down to overtake, when I do, it makes for the horizon at an impressive pace. It also spins the back wheel if too much throttle is given when pulling away.

I arrived at Junction 42 of the A20, around 5:40, and if I had followed Jane’s instructions, I would have been there at my predicted time of arrival, but I overshot by 15 minutes. Not bad.

Steve, Jane Dave and Naomi were all home and greeted me. The Barn is unbelievable, and has enormous potential. This place is huge and the family are slowly working to modernise and add the creature comforts. Progress is steaming on, and Steve and Jane are working with the myriad of organisations to ring the changes.

The highlight of the evening was provided by Dave who prepared a superb meal of slowly cooked spicy pork Puerco Pibil called , made famous by Rodriguez in an early film featuring Johnny Depp. Apparently, if the meal is as good as it can be, you have to kill the chef, but Dave was spared.

Many thanks to Jane and Steve for making me so welcome.Progress on the barn can be found at http://journals.aol.co.uk/janeswardrobe/RamseysBarn/

It was Jane who inspired this blog; it seems sensible to post news once rather than to a host of friends and relatives, so once again a big thanks to the lady with the bruised leg!.