In which I discover a whole new world, kinda.

So I'm at Stage two, Mile 12 right now, I'm running a little behind. This puts me right outside of Pluvigner, which has a very pretty church:


In this area of the country, a lot of people speak Breton. I never knew about the Bretons before today! How cool is this? The next time I'm at a Celtic festival, I will have to look for some more stuff about them. I already like the music-



If I dance around for a couple minutes, would any of you mind?

Back in the saddle again...

Some offline stuff ate up my day yesterday (more on that later, if anything comes of it, but I will say- I not only roll, I also ROCK)

I went seven miles today, to get back into making things easy to count. Which puts me at Mile 7, stage two, or about halfway between Le Cosquer and Treavec. I can't find anything out about the latter, but Le Cosquer has a nice little B&B with an English site. The place looks beautiful!


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A Gîte, in case you're wondering, is a French guesthouse where the owner lives onsite or nearby. They even have Gîtes d'Enfants, which are special, family-friendly places for rent.

You know, starting this project, I really didn't have much interest in visiting France, I figured maybe one day we'd make a side trip from Ireland (I have family there) or something, but not a full-blown vacation in the country. I am slowly but surely talking myself into a quite expensive proposition. But I'm enjoying doing so.

Apparently, I am le tired...

I completely fell asleep on the sofa after dinner, and I'm a little worried that if I try to start Stage 2 NOW (it's 11pm my time) I'll rev myself up enough that I can't get back to sleep. But I can take in my virtual surroundings before starting the trip tomorrow!

So, Stage Two (I am so excited to be in Stage Two!) is another 103 Miles, running roughly up the peninsula from South To North. I'm starting out in Auray, below. (If you click on the map, it'll take you Google Maps, you can click on the "More" button in the top of the map for photos, it's a very pretty town.) As far as I can tell, I'm at the intersection of Rue Aristide Briand and Avenue du President Wilson. And this place seems to be pretty good food, maybe I'd settle in for a nice dinner and nightcap first. Hmmm... if I'm going to keep this up, I'd better look into actually learning some French.

I looked into the Rosetta Stone language trainer- wow! Just one level is $229.00! So I'm perusing Craigslist and e-mailing a couple tutors instead. (Hello, tutors!) I think I just want to learn enough so I can read simple sentences and say nice things about places. Also, it would be nice to know a couple really good curse words for times when my skirt gets wound in the pedals or I have to stop for a second to let the dogs out.


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And now... a little song I wrote...

I finished STAAAAAAGE One

And I'm in PLUUUUUUMELEC

I wrote all EIIIIGHT miles

In just one NIIIIIGHT...

I uh, had a little dance for it earlier, but no one was impressed.

Okay, I'd be rolling past a window like this:

(Thanks, letsgetmoving!)

Okay, so it took me a couple weeks to do what those folks do in a day, but I don't care. I'm sticking with something, and that feels really good!

Took some time off for the holidays, but I'm back, baby!

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And I got Google Earth un-kaflooied! And I am on the Rue des Déportés, but sadly, there doesn't seem to be much of interest here.

8 miles until I finish Stage One! Perhaps I will try for all eight tomorrow.

Pedal to the medal.... if the medal is in stuck in one place.

Five miles yesterday, five today!

But Google Earth has gone all flooey. So I believe I'm at 115, but have no idea where that is!

Should I try for another 5 while I watch Castle, or be a responsible person and clean the living room? (Or bring up my real bike and ride AROUND the living room, cleaning up while watching Castle?)

Put a hurt on myself somehow...

And my legs feel like they're stuffed with burning wires today- not sure if I slept funny or what, though.

Will have to make up for it tomorrow, even thinking about hopping on the bike makes my thighs cramp.