Short day today, starting with a 4km climb out of what we are affectionately referring to as "our driveway". Across the border yet again (not even a sniff of being stopped by border control), up the road and then off to the left to tackle the climb to Emosson.
We had a ringer on board, by the name of Mark. It is always good when someone joins the group who has the same name as someone already in the group, because let us face it - we are blokes and not good at remembering.
This was a 12km climb with virtually no protection from the sun. So hot and hard for over an hour. I was with Mark (new Mark) for half to 2/3 of the way and kept talking as he was the new guy and you always need to keep making pleasant small talk. He soon showed me a clean set of pedals though and was gone.
This one took a touch over an hour and we were rewarded with a cracker-jack view at the top of Mt Blanc and the surrounding mountains. Also there was Lake Emosson, which is famous for (apart from being stunningly beautiful) the scene in James Bond Goldeneye when he jumps off the damn wall (that is the high wall holding all the water in).
We cruised back to town and randomly bumped in to Dave McHugh in the pub down the road. Dave is a Sydney club member, sponsor (Kinselas Hotel) and general legend in terms of getting me names on doors, drink cards, etc. Also a great mentor in terms of this trip - he advised me to make sure I did 10-20km of climbing per weekend for 6-8 weeks prior to the trip, so that I could really enjoy it. Great advice, and while it does not make the hills any easier (he did not say it would), it is certainly making it enjoyable.
Back home and a BBQ for dinner with our new friend Mark and his wife Glynn. Lovely couple. Also, I neglected to mention that Doc and Julz turned up this afternoon to join in the shenanigans, I mean festivities.
Looking forward to the "depart" in Martingy tomorrow. More then.
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