NICE

Hello,

Just a brief note to say I am going to South of France today to begin a bicycle tour.  I dont expect to much it terms of cycling great distances because I am not particularly fit.  I will fly Easyjet to Nice then the idea is to cycle back to the UK, taking the odd train ride along the way.  I have approx 3 weeks to accomplish this trip.  I hope to get to one or two of the big Tour de France climbs, particularly Mont Ventoux, Alp D-Huez and Col Galibiere.  Will see.

Andrew

A DROWNED RAT REACHES KRAKOW

Hello,

Just got off the train from Zakopane and received and managed to catch a thunderous cloud burst and get a soaking as I walked from the station to my hostel in the market square in the Old Town. 

My excursion to the Tatra mountains lasted 4 nights, including stays at three different mountain huts.  One of the days in the Tatra will qualify as a IML quality mountain day.  That involved climbing up a steep snow gully to cross a col at over 2,000 mts a trip of over 5 hours in duration.

I am now in Krakow for the next few days.  Fly home on Friday.

Best Regards

Andrew

HEADING TO KRAKOW

Hello,

I am lucky.  I am off to Krakow in Poland in a couple of days time.  It is an Easyjet flight from Liverpool.  6:30 am departure.  So a long night at the airport for me.  Ive been to Krakow two times before.  In 1993 I was on inter-rail and was in the area for 3 or 4 days.  Then I went for a more detailed excursion about 6 years ago.  Ive already done most of the attractions.  Wielicka salt mines, Aushwitz, Shindler's factory and John Paul 11 birth town. 

Will be staying the first night at the Crakow Hostel in the main Market Square.  Then next day I will go by train to Zakopani and the Tatras.  In Zakopani I will stay at the Stara Polana hostel.  I will then head into the mountains and stay in the huts.

Andrew