Sunday, May 24, 2009

Latest update

Well, I went to meet Bernard, the guy I met on the ramparts, and was invited to a rehearsal of a Baroque choir by an Irish guy who is a professional (graduate of RSM etc). Bernard is the President and they tour regularly. It was a really great night. The work which goes into the performance is immense and much of the rehearsal was on Handel's Messiah. It proves that "engage all passers by in conversation" is a good maxim. I tried it at the station the next day and asked a bloke with a pedal/motor bike if it would get nicked if he did not lock it. I got a 10 minute tirade of which I got about 10%. I think he said something like "it will probably be ok but you never know". I was getting the train to Dijon then on to Geneva where I am now, in a Youth Hostel. The city reminds me of the bit of London around the western end of Oxford Street and the lower part of the Edgeware Road but with a lake rather than Hyde Park. Very cosmopolitan with a strong Levantine/African influence. Not as expensive as I expected; in fact not much different to France. I saw the Alps from the train yesterday and it scared the hell out of me. I need to shed some stuff from the pack.

The last lot of pictures included the couple from Cambridgeshire who shared their food with me. They were a really interesting couple who had cycled from Alaska to Tierra del Fuego as well as having similar bike trips to India and Africa. Pasta, salad and a glass of red before settling down for a night in the cabin. Great. The big house is the "best chambre d ever" I mentioned and there is another one of the lady owner. Great gardens to sit in and really simple but nice food. Green salad followed by an omlette with herbs (eggs from own chickens).

May go a bit quiet for a week as I can't remember any cyber cafes in Puglia.

2 comments:

  1. Congratulations on completeing the first leg! Enjoy your well deserved break. I have every confidence in your assault on the Alps (I assume that you're not intending to clamber straight over the Matterhorn?). Remember - what goes up nearly always comes down! Bob.

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  2. Hope the weeks rest has prepared you for the ascent. Just received the card - starting a collection in prime position. Tested out kayak this week - great fun but out too long in hot sun. A lesson learned. We're all looking forward to seeing you again, it seems that you have gone forever. Don't shed the crampons. John

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