Le Tour de France

Another glorious day with a temperature of 24*C! We arrived at the Champs-Élysées at 11:40 a.m. With an obstruction approximately every four metres, either a tree, a pole or a rotating advertising board it was difficult to find a perfect position. So, with a position not so perfect, Aussie flag fenced, Phil sporting his canary-yellow Tour de France T-shirt, supporters displaying flags from their respective countries, commentary & music added to the carnival atmosphere that consumed Paris. Today it was all about Le Tour.

A cry of 'Aussie!' & a fist punched overhead from a woman riding with the Discovery Tour Group, a sprinkling of Aussie flags & a Crows supporter made us feel very much part of the event.

My patience was tested when a late arrival, a Frenchman, attempted to push his way into the space I had occupied for hours. 'Non, Monsieur, ne pas pousser, s'il vous plait!' I'm not sure if it was my French he understood or the English bit that followed. Nonetheless, he obliged. Not so the French photographer! Immediately following the race the crowds dispersed & regrouped later for the lap of honour. A photographer who wasn't satisfied with the space he had claimed insisted he click his way through the passing cyclists, which brought his camera & arm into my frame. My pleas fell on deaf ears. He was rude, arrogant, intoxicated & French! It seems the tree to his left was a problem for him, but it was OK for him to become my problem!

The arrival of the gendarmes indicated competitors were not far away. But first an hour long parade of tour sponsors, event organisers & support staff was a grand event. The race call was broadcast, but because it was en francais, it was difficult to understand. Only competitors' names were distinguishable.
The photographs are for the children in my life & the child in me.

Following the official presentation to the race victors, teams pedalled one last lap of honour. And an honourable ride it was. Eighteen days in the saddle covering 3200 kilometres is a feat worth celebrating. By 7:05 p.m. we had ridden our race. Our return to Le St-Augustin Cafe for a meal was une fin parfaite à une journée parfaite.