Yup, so close but not so close. We’ll be there in about two weeks. I’m so glad the tour worked out so well for you. Which way did you come across the Pyrenees? Have a safe flight home.

Great story about the doctors visit! Our healthcare system has a long way to catch up. Hopefully now you’ll finally get yourself clear.
We’re in Perpignan tonight and you mentioned you were going to be heading here sometime soon. So close, yet so far. It would have been so great to have finally met you. One day.
Toulouse tomorrow, a train back to Paris to drop off our bikes and then the long trek back to New Zealand. Best tour to date. The Spanish Pyrenees very special!

Yes, I knew we were in Mayle’s country, though I’ve never read him for some reason. Rachael has, and coincidentally one of his books was on the shelf in our B&B last night and I considered cracking it open.

Say - we’ll be back in Portland for ten days at the end of November. Any chance for a coffee meetup?

Ooh, what a sharp reader! I must have had Roddy on my mind for some reason.

Meanwhile, the real Rodriguez smirks from the comfort of his storage unit.

It's really hard to beat the stunning Combe Laval, I agree.

Great story. One of our favorites was a blackie also; and this one was very affectionate, rubbing up against my shoes before walking off to join his snow white partner.

I wish I would have seen this cat but I’ve gotten to see a lot of cats in France!

Best cat I ever had was a black cat. Ludwig van Cathoven. Very affectionate. Never tried to steal my food. Had two annoying habits though. The first was past the age of three he refused to do #2 in the litter box no matter what litter or how clean the box was. He’d always go right in front of the box. The second was that he would get mad in the middle of the night and empty the contents of my trash can next to the bed. Still miss that cat.

Don't I know it. Our kindergarteners bring pocketfuls of the nuts into the school at this time of year.

So you’re right in the heart of where Peter Mayle's novel, Hotel Pastis, takes place. If you haven’t ever read it, you should pick up (or download) a copy. It’s really a fun read. One storyline is about the trials and tribulations of a corporate executive who escapes the rat race to remodel an old penitentiary in Provence into a hotel. The other storyline is about a bumbling gang of would-be bank thieves who plan to use bicycles in their heist. Apt and Saint-Saturnin are front and center. And weaving the two storylines together is masterful.

In the meantime, stay healthy.

Pretty sure you are. Its much more secure than it looks.

BTW....I hope I'm wrong about the pannier hack.

Human ingenuity at its best....good work to the mechanic and to you Scott for having the obscure parts to solve the problem

We're trying as hard as we can, honestly.