On the back of a frankly lacklustre season, we (Team Grumpy, a.k.a Gerry and Robert) were uncertain how things would go for them at the 2011 edition of the Duo Normand, the 30th time the event has been run (and the 8th in which Team Grumpy has competed). As usual, signing on was a bunfight in a large marquee in the centre of Marigny. On the day, we successfully dodged some quite heavy showers by decamping to the Sport Bar for a coffee while we waited out the worst of the showers.
Well, I joined Google+ while in France. Which has resulted in a strange blend of English and French in by Google+ page (Franglais?). Anyway, until I build up enough contacts in my circles, I see tumbleweed blowing. The interface is clean and easy to use, far less cluttered than Facebook. I picked up a link to this xkcd cartoon (amusingly, via Google+).[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="428" caption="Google+"][/caption]
Carol has caught a cold. Naturally enough, this has led to galloping hypochondria in me - though I do feel a little bunged up - not good preparation for the Duo Normand. So we both felt a bit under the weather (in contrast, today was the finest weather of the trip so far - very sunny and warm all day) as we set off in the car for Le Molay-Littry, where we planned to leave the car before pedalling off for Port-en-Bessain Huppain. This was a town that we'd always passed through rather than investigated in its own right. Actually it has a fine working fishing harbour which bustles with activity. We stopped there for Moules and frites. Also we picked up a pair of almond croissants for later consumption.Trundling west along the coast, we stopped briefly at the Omaha Beach military cemetery, always a sobering sight, particularly when you see the long list of names of soldiers whose bodies weren't identified. There's a profusion of Omaha beach related places along the cast road, ranging from small museums to collections of miscellaneous WW2 hardware to campsites and pizzerias. It's a bit hard to identify where to actually get down to the beach.Further along the coast, we stopped in Vierville sur Mer where the Omaha beach landings began. It's an astonishing long beach with a few people sunbathing, seagulls standing around, and with a banked set of duns on which holiday homes perch, punctuated by the occasional relic of the German 'Atlantic Wall'. We paused here for a bit, to eat the almond croissants. It was pretty hard to imagine such a peaceful scene was the site of such ferocious fighting during the D-day landings.Turning inland, we passed an enormous iron bridge brought by the D-Day forces. It wasn't obvious whether it was used in the actual landings or later in the campaign - in any event we couldn't stop for a proper look as we were being chased up a steep climb by traffic. On the other hand, incoming traffic was all slowing to have a good gawp.From there it was a pretty straightforward ride back to Le Molay to collect the car. An excellent day's ride, with lots of time to pause for the sights (and smells!) of the Normandy countryside.
Again, two rides today. First off, Gerry and I rode round the main part of the Duo Normand course (slightly over 25 miles). Quite good, though I felt rather lethargic to start with. Much cow muck on road. A brief rain shower caused serious muck spattering!Back to house via one of the Cerisy La Salle boulangeries. Had sandwich lunch before nipping out on the tandem to explore lanes around L'Abbaye d'Hambye. The abbey was closed (as usual). Many very steep (though short) climbs. La Baleine with the Krill restaurant (complete with baleen whale on signpost). Back via Roncey and Notre Dame de Cenilly.
After a bit of a late start (around 11am), headed off on the tandem through lovely green and lush countryside to Agon-Coutainville, where 3 course lunch was had [whelks; skate (R) turkey (C); creme brûlée]. Returned to the house by a slightly different route.
Still windy a.m. Went for brief walk up to Cerisy La Salle for some food. Back at house, decided to go out for short bike ride in the environs of Cerisy La Salle and Notre Dame de Cenilly. Rather good, different roads than usual. Encountered a line painting crew emitting solvent odours.Later, out for regular training route with Gerry on time trial bikes.
Only brief notes just now, due to flaky internet access!Very windy today, with occasional showers (remnants of one of the american hurricanes, apparently). Slept late, then out to do shopping. It was clearly not a day for going out on the tandem. Discovered french supermarkets close at noon on Sunday. Eventually went to Villedieu where bought baguettes and an apple tart.Back to house where cooked dinner (butternut squash risotto) and awaited Gerry & co.
Just quick updates, internet access flaky!Packed a.m. then drove to Portsmouth. Despite stopping for lunch, we still arrived very early (2h early, around 3h after leaving the house).A very smooth crossing, despite the rising winds. Interesting "Ocean Nature Documentary" with no sound. Sun over Normandy as we approached Cherbourg.As we were first on the ferry, we were first off, and zoomed off southward. Took less than 1:30 to reach the house, which is between Cerisy la Salle and Notre Dame de Cenilly.Unpacked, bite to eat, checked weather forecast, not good. And so to bed.
Well, it appears that the latest in Nadine Dorries' attempts to limit women's reproductive freedom got pretty short shrift in Parliament (The Guardian). From the Guardian's live blog:
What does it mean? On Twittershortly before the vote took place Labour's Chris Bryant posted this:I suspect Nadine Dorries has done more harm to social conservatism on abortion than anyone in 25 years. Hurrah!Really? It is certainly a terrible defeat, perhaps even a textbook example of how not to approach a free-vote, conscience issue. Dorries tabled what appeared at face value a relatively technical change, and yet she ended up losing the support of her government, a large section of her party and even the co-sponsor of her amendment (Frank Field).But this wasn't really a decisive encounter in the culture war; it was more a case of Westminster ganging up on one of parliament's easiest targets. (Which is why the PMQ's exchange earlier was significant. When your own party leader treats you as a figure of ridicule, you are in trouble.) Does this really tell us much about the balance of power between social liberalism and social conservatism in Britain today? I doubt it. The only lesson that really stands out is that, if you want change legislation on a contentious issue, don't ask Dorries to take the lead.I don't suppose that will stop her attempts to limit abortion rights.