Back in Pukekohe

October 7, 2023

It is now over a month since we arrived home and we have had time to think about our trip and about the possibility of future cycle touring

After getting rid of the bikes we took the TGV to Paris. A couple of nights there and we went to Moret sur Loing (very near Fountainbleau and it is where Louise lives) for the weekend. What a lovely time we had and it was so great to have a really relaxed time to catch up with the three of them. The highlight for us was just spending time with the family. However on the Sunday they decided we needed to do some exploring so Michael drove us to Chablis for lunch a lovely trip through part of Burgandy.

We had time to examine the bikes we had given them at the end of our 2019 trip. They were in perfect condition and the bike I rode that suited me so well naturally has the battery on the down tube not on the rear rack (so no more toppling over). It made us think that perhaps we had been too hasty and what we really should have done is to dispose of the bikes in Reims, go to Moret pick up our other bikes and continues on. Probably a decision made too hastily but it was the right one at the time - we didn’t know if they still had the bikes or if they did what condition they were in

Back to Paris for a couple of nights then the long flight home followed by a nasty bout of jet lag then Covid (our first lot).

Such a chilled out cat waiting at the Gare de Lyon for its train

On the train to Moret. It is good not having to travel with bikes and just observe others

Ken and I love galettes and we have a favourite place near the Gare de Lyon

Louise has a cool and peaceful little garden

We arrived at Louises place to a wonderful welcome with balloons, medals for our efforts and a red carpet

This makes me think so much of our friends the Stoppards and the time we have spent with them

We went to afternoon tea at this lovely place in Trembly which is close by

waiting for the afternoon tea to arrive. Elegance

I took this for Mark (our son in law) as he loves Burgandy wine

Our last meal in Paris at our favourite galette place Louise and Michael joined us after they had finished work

We were staying at the mercure right next door to the Gare de Lyon such a handy place to stay and an excellent hotel

What to do next? Can we really dream of another cycle tour? The answer is YES. Ken will be 87 next year but he really doesn’t have any problems. I am the weak link. The difficulty this year was me toppling off the bike when it was stopped and very unstable (both the bike and me!) Since arriving home riding my bike here with the battery in the sensible place i.e on the down tube I am having no problems at all. There is a very ‘Tricia friendly’ bike waiting for me in Moret. What we are hoping we will do is a big loop starting and ending in Moret involving the Loire and virtually all to canals in the Burgandy area with the apex in one direction Macon and the other Nantes. Yes we have of course done lots of this before, but not all. That doesn’t matter it will be suitably easy cycling and I know we will have a fantastic time.

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Kathleen ClassenHow wonderful! This has been a happy read for me this morning. I did a lot of thinking yesterday on our rail trail ride about how long we can do this, and you make me very hopeful that it will be a good long time! We haven’t been back to New Zealand since our delightful lunch. Perhaps we can meet in France next fall.
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1 year ago

Tricia GrahamTo Kathleen ClassenLovely to hear from you Kathleen. We are really enjoying your latest journal particularly how you always manage to put a positive spin on things. My estimate is that you have at least 15 more years of cycle touring!
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1 year ago

Scott AndersonThis is such an upbeat, optimistic post. I’m so happy for the both of you that you’re gearing up for another round.
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1 year ago

Robyn RichardsLovely to read this reflection, Tricia, and so pleased that your future includes at least one more cycle tour in Europe! (We've already booked 5 weeks in July-August.)
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1 year ago

Tricia GrahamTo Robyn RichardsGlad to hear you are off again will certainly enjoy following you and I bet it includes work Runs each Saturday
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1 year ago

Tricia GrahamTo Scott AndersonOptimism is the only way to go.
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1 year ago

Jill BrinsleyBrilliant !! I really enjoyed this update and I’m looking forward to following the next trip!!!( also great to see Louise’s face again. I think she was 16 when I last saw her!!🤣🤣)
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1 year ago

Tricia GrahamTo Jill BrinsleyLouise is really lovely. You will be interested to know that she was employed as a translator doing the English sub titles for French films which as you can imagine was an extremely stressful job. After several years she is now working at something a bit more relaxing. She is equally fluent in English French and Swedish. I gave her your best wishes
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1 year ago

Suzanne GibsonWhat a happy wrapping up of your tour! Another year another tour! Way to go! I admire and am encouraged by your energy and joie de vivre!
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1 year ago

Steve Miller/GrampiesSo very glad to hear that more cycling is in the cards for you two. We are hoping to be heading up towards Nantes in late April, and along the Loire heading east in early Autumn. Maybe, fingers crossed, we will intersect with you on one of those journeys.
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1 year ago

Tricia GrahamTo Suzanne GibsonIt will be great if it works
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1 year ago

Tricia GrahamTo Steve Miller/GrampiesWould just love it if we actually got to meet up
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1 year ago

Susan CarpenterWhat an uplifting post - you and Ken are such an inspiration to all of us- young and "old" alike! I'm delighted for the both of you on the prospects of another European tour. I hope everything works out for you, and I'll dream that our paths might cross somewhere in France in 2024.
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1 year ago