Life in England

Greetings!  Today is another lazy Sunday, but I have many tasks to accomplish before I head off to Paris on Tuesday.  I've just returned from what for me is a long run.  Almost 5K!  I'm in virtual training with two good friends back home who are preparing for various races this fall.  For those who know Tunbridge Wells, I've been alternating between laps around the lake in Dunorlan Park and 120-meter sprints up the hill in front of my cousin's house, which is pretty steep.  Stacy and Anna-Lynn, I'm with you in spirit!

Hopefully not much has changed in 136 years.

The rain has stopped and the sun is shining, so I can do my first load of laundry and take advantage of my cousin's solar dryer.  The weather for the Tour de France has been excellent thus far, so keep your fingers crossed for the Pyrenees and my voyage deep into Spain.  I could use a little tanning before the Olympics begin.  My plan is to take the Eurostar from London to Paris and then catch an overnight train to Luchon, which will be the finish line for that day's stage.  No hotel rooms booked, so I will be camping and/or riding overnight trains for the next few days and hope to make it to the Costa del Sol before returning to Paris for the final day of Le Tour.

Hopefully not much has changed in 136 years.

I'm not sure how much access to the Internet I will have next week, so if there are no updates here or on Facebook, don't worry.  If you're watching the Tour de France closely, you might just spot me as I plan on being one of the crazy fans doing something wild to show my support, especially with two Brits leading the way.  Didn't have the time or money to run with the bulls in Pamplona, but promise to make up for it this week.  The French and Spanish people are famous for knowing how to enjoy themselves and I intend to discover it firsthand.  That said, it was a beer from the past that I enjoyed on tap in Crystal Palace.  Paul, wish you could have been there for the Bitburger and some world class hurdles.

Drink Bit, Stay Fit!

And finally, someone I hold very dear in my heart lost her mother this week and it only reminds me of those horrible phone calls we are all eventually going to be making and receiving.  Some of you have already experienced this and my heart goes out to you.  Life is far too short and we need to celebrate every single minute!  Gretchen, this one is for you!  Cheers!