The Tour de France has come and gone

The Tour de France is a french institution - it is a cycling race that takes place during the hottest months of the year in France and its neighbouring countries. I find it rather painful to watch - both in terms of ever increasing boredom levels and the actual physical exertion in generates (for the riders - not me !). It also evokes memories of my childhood. Summer months spent in front of the TV trying to stay cool by literally not moving an inch usually from 13h to 16h, sucking on a fluorescent Mr Freeze. At that time, French television was limited to a paltry 4 1/2 channels (the 1/2 comes from the fact that we never had a clear image of M6) and the only TV programs worthy of my attention were (in order of preference) : Tour de France, Inspecteur Derrek and L'ecole des Fans (for sundays only!). We were spoilt, i know! But anyway...

I can now officially say that I was there!

London played host to the start of the event and I have to admit it was extremely fun. I know nothing about the sport of cycling (apart from the obvious) and now that Lance Amstrong no longer runs - i do not recognise anyone. But none of that deterred me. I reveled in the atmosphere and i enjoyed the vibe of rural France that comes with the Tour; the image of the Bidochon Family - popping the folding table and chairs out on the side of the road, enjoying a lunch of sauci-flard and cheap french piquette - springs to mind.

Ah...douce France....