Actually just a few km shy of Grossetto in Camping del Marze which has a security system far in excess of amy national frontier we have crossed so far! We had a pleasant ride with Chris Spargo, who kindly pointed our some of the sights around his holiday area: “this is our supermarket” and that sort of thing! During this time Dave and Fluffy got ahead but were tragically lured of the route by an Italian road sign and Tizz and I snuck past to head of into the lead. Thus at San Lorenzo we were forced to have an interim coffee lungo!
A few more miles to Follonica where we found that some of the support crew had been frolicking on the beach! Disgraceful! George felt so refreshed by his swim in the sea that he leapt out to ride the last 10 miles, only to find that the gradients immediately cranked up and Bernard started swearing again “80 miles done and there’s a bl**dy hill” he muttered to all and sundry. The riders beat the van to the check-in but we were soon re-united to spend an hour or so checking in and discovering that our booking was wrong! A huge holiday centre in a wood of cypress trees and very loud crickets which we hope will be turned off later! Two big tents: a boy’s one and a girl’s one and a little one for Tizz who “wants a good night’s sleep”!!! A 90-mile day on total, taking me to 1204 altogether. We were pinging along at times to day, often at 20mph plus. All getting fitter. Just a word too about the charities today: Bradford Disability Sport & Leisure, Sue Ryder Care at Manorlands and Puccinu Cares – if you’re reading and enjoying this blog and haven’t yet made a donation then please do go www.justgiving.com/sportjohntomalta and make a pledge!
Tizz and I got a swim in the sea just before tea, where people gasped as I removed my shirt and shorts to reveals cycling tan and thousands of mozzie bites!!
A great day – good progress and a good crack, and sunny, sunny weather!