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    A Wine Lover's Tour de France
    A Wine Lover's Tour de France
    A Wine Lover's Tour de France
    Ebook79 pages1 hour

    A Wine Lover's Tour de France

    By Barry Johns

    ()

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    About this ebook

    The story tells of a lone traveller, Bede Jamieson, who makes a long cycle journey of 2,500 kilometres in the spring of 1989, through the main winegrowing regions of Franceâ involving sightseeing, vineyard and winery visits, and other interesting encounters along the way. Bede, a lawyer on sabbatical from his busy commercial law practice, makes his journey in search of adventure and new challenges. He is keen to test himself in a country he perceives to be both romantic and culturally significant. He is an experienced road cyclist and a lover of fine wine.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublishereBookIt.com
    Release dateApr 26, 2016
    ISBN9781456621834
    A Wine Lover's Tour de France

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      Book preview

      A Wine Lover's Tour de France - Barry Johns

      )

      1. Preparations - Arrival in Paris

      To get away from one’s working environment is, in a sense, to get away from one’s self; and this is often the chief advantage of travel and change. (Charles Horton Cooley)

      It was in late 1988 when Bede Jamieson was informed by his then law partners that it would be his turn to take two months’ extended leave, euphemistically called ‘sabbatical’, the following year. It was left to him to decide at what time of the year he would be away and his actual destination. With a background in French language studies, a recently discovered joy for road cycling and a well-established love of fine wines, his thoughts were that he should undertake a cycling tour of the main wine regions of France – a tour des vignobles, pour ainsi dire ( a tour of the vineyards, so to speak). Bede also had it in mind that should too much cycling prove a hardship, France was a country likely to offer compensations.

      At the time he was caught up in the grind of corporate client work in a busy office environment. No matter how hard he worked – and the law is a demanding mistress – he always seemed to be only just staying afloat, both emotionally and professionally. Bede needed an extended period of time out, a change of scene and a bit of adventure. This was his main motivation, coupled with the desire to more fully acquaint himself with things French: the people, the language, the countryside, the food and, of course, the wine.

      Back then, Bede could be described as being of medium height and wiry build, he has dark hair, an olive complexion and hazel eyes. He is in his early forties. He has a reputation for his sporting skills, particularly tennis and squash. A man for challenges and not given to failure, Bede is keen to test himself in every sense as a lone traveller in a country he perceives to be both romantic and culturally significant.

      He set about planning his intended journey by reading up on the main wine regions of France and poring over Michelin maps. He drew inspiration from reading a book written by Michael Busselle, The Wine Lover’s Guide to France, published in 1986. Busselle had spent some five months in the two years to 1986, driving almost 50,000 kilometres in and through the vineyards of France, taking photographs and collecting information for his book. Bede wanted to follow at least some of Busselle’s footsteps, though his preferred mode of transport was a bicycle rather than a car. He had recently become actively involved in road cycling and was full of enthusiasm for it. He saw cycling as a great way of maintaining general fitness while allowing him to range far and wide. Travelling by bicycle also had the advantage of considerable cost savings compared with hiring a car for such a journey.

      Bede sought the advice of a bicycle retailer as to how best he could set up his 12-speed yellow framed ‘ Greg LeMond ‘ racing bike, fitted with Italian Campagnolo componentry, for such a long and potentially punishing journey. It was decided that he would not carry a backpack when cycling, and that his possessions and gear would be stored in two panniers attached to a lightweight metal carrier fitted over the rear wheel. He had already decided to take his own bicycle rather than buy one in France. It was light but strong, and his correct frame size. It was, and still is, a familiar and reliable friend.

      To transport his bike, Bede purchased a sac à vélo ( cycle bag ) made of lightweight synthetic fabric measuring some 1.2 metres by 0.9 metres   and with shoulder straps. By releasing the front wheel and removing one pedal shaft he would be able to pack the complete bicycle in the carry bag and take it as accompanying baggage when the time came to take to the skies.

      He also compiled a list of clothing and equipment he would need on such a journey and that could be squeezed into two panniers. In the end this list came down to the following items:

      • Michelin maps

      • Michael Busselle’s    The Wine Lover’s Guide to France

      • the Berlitz French for Travellers (a phrase book)

      • a Swiss pocketknife

      • a lightweight shower-proof windjacket (K-Way)

      • a cycling top, pants and shoes

      • one pair of casual-wear shoes

      • one pair of cotton, long-legged trousers

      • one casual, cotton, long-sleeved shirt

      • T-shirts (assorted)

      • socks and underwear

      • a woollen jersey

      • toiletries, including a battery-operated shaver

      • Carrera sunglasses

      • a first aid kit

      • two replacement tubeless tyres

      • a cycle security lock

      • a Collins pocket diary

      • a Nikon RF 35mm camera.

      As well as gathering together his belongings, he had a weekly session with his French tutor to help prepare him linguistically for the journey.

      Bede flew Singapore Airlines on Monday 1 May 1989 bound for Paris. His partner, Jane, had given her ‘little darkie’ an affectionate send-off, overlaid with expressions such as ‘bonne chance’ and ‘bon voyage’ as he proceeded to international departures and the first of many customs and security checks along the way. His air travels were to take him to Singapore for a brief stopover at Changi Airport, to Dubai in the Arab Emirates, then to Rome and Paris. He eventually touched down at Roissy-Charles-de-Gaulle Airport in Paris at 9.45 am local time on 2 May, after 30 hours’ flying time. The airport was crowded and noisy at that time of day, but the passengers were processed through the immigration counters efficiently and then left to find their own way through the milling crowds of similarly bewildered tourists and travellers spread out over a number of levels of the airport facilities. Many had friends or contacts waiting for them, who could be seen holding up cards with names written on them to attract their attention. The mood was one of unrestrained excitement and activity – with shouted welcomes and joyful responses.

      Bede was to put the locals’ goodwill towards les étrangers ( foreigners ) to the test within minutes of his arrival when he had difficulty

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