What a drive! We set off at 6pm, arrived in Calais at 9.30pm and then over to France by about midnight, local time. Colin did really well driving for such a long stretch. I should have been sleeping but I really struggled - not even Paul Mckenna relaxation waffle on my ipod could send me off. By 1ish we were both knackered so stopped in a french service station and had a few hours kip. At 3.15am I felt ok to start off again and I drove for around 4 hours until we stopped for breakfast. After that, I fell asleep with no problems and then we got into a rhythm of driving and sleeping for the 1000 mile journey to Pau. Each time we stopped for a driver change, the temperature on leaving the car got warmer and warmer. By the time the pyrenees came into view, the car temp guage was showing 30 degrees. Oh, how wonderful that heat feels - not great for cycling but the forecast had shown rain and cooler temperatures for the big day so we knew that it wouldn't be like that on Sunday. Sometime around 3pm we arrived in Pau and to our hotel. The room was fantastic - ground floor, 3 rooms with doors out to the car park so we could easily load in the bikes and kit. I will definitely be using Cyclomundo for next years Etape.
18 hours driving had taken their toll on us and we went straight to sleep for a few hours before heading out to explore the Etape Village.
I registered so that I could get my bag and tshirt but I handed over my transponder there and then. I explained to the lady in french that I had a problem with my heart. They asked if I was sure I didn't want to start the race and I was tempted but with a tinge of regret, I said non.
The village was great - loads of really gorgeous bikes and kit, lots of cyclists milling about; now it was really starting to get exciting. We ate in Pau near to the Chateau - a wonderful place full of narrow streets and ancient buildings with a stunning view of the pyrenees - before retiring early to bed. I had my own little battle to prepare for in the morning.
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