As I rushed around at 5.30pm in my dirty gardening shorts in readiness for the first guests arriving at 6pm, already people were arriving with chairs and picnic baskets. The naetly laid out rows of chairs that I had begged and borrowed from various kind people were ignored. Whereas we had worried that we must fit at least forty people on the grass, about 140 chose to sit or lie there.

In all, 210 tickets were sold, on top of which we had 34 performers and many helpers. Over 80 cars were squeezed into the narrow roads around us.

The Costa Blanca Male Voice Choir enchanted us with the harmonies of their 30 voices, beautifully accompanied on the piano by their highly talented musical director, Heather Butcher. Jane Betsworth delighted the eye and the ear as she treated us to the full range of her soprano voice after having flown over especially from the UK to perform for us. John Butson, accompanied by his wife Rosemarie on the piano, stilled the audience with the haunting sound of his trumpet as the sun left us with a beautiful balmy evening, and then roused us all with a folk medley. To round off the evening, what better way than everyone joining in to sing “You”ll Never Walk Alone” even if I did sing out of key as I held the leading microphone!

Thank you to all of you who were able to attend, to those of you who helped make the evening take place and make it such an enjoyable success. All told, you helped to raise a total of 2706 euros for Thamsanqa orphanage in Port Elizabeth, Souith Africa. As they struggle to cover running costs, I cannot say at this moment whether the money will be used to purchase the 2 cooking stoves that need replacing or the winter clothing the children could do with. What I do know is that Tia Wessels will receive the money within the week and will put it to the very best use.

Thank you to everyone ho contributed!

Best wishes,

Eric.

The Lammergeier is the giant of the Pyrenees. With a wingspan of 3 metres, it surpasses even the Golden Eagle. These huge birds of prey glide silently over the high mountains looking for carrion. With a preference for bone marrow, any bones too large to swallow, (i.e. larger than a lamb’s femur), are dropped onto rocks to smash. Hence the name in Spanish is Quebrantahuesos .(quebrantar=to break, huesos=bones).

So it is fitting that the Spanish should name their biggest one-day cycle event after the bird in whose hunting grounds the race takes place. 10,000 cyclists from around the world converge on the small town of Sabinanigo to confront some of the most arduous mountain passes during 205 kms of cycling through both the Spanish and French Pyrenees.

From the little town house that Pete and I had rented in Senegue, five miles away, we set off at 7am last Friday to join the mass of riders at the start. Our Spanish friends, Dani, Toni and Cesar had set off the day before and we coukld not see them. At 7.30 we heard the starting pistol go but it took about twenty minutes before we finally got to move.

Pete at the start

Passing through the town to the cheers of the crowds we started the slow  57km climb to the border post of Somport. Already quite a number of riders were fixing punctures. One  rider was sat by the roadside holding his shoulder while being attended to by the ambulance.

Pete being a stronger, more ambitious cyclist than myself had already taken off. Many other cyclists were initially passing me too as I determined to pace myself. As the climb stiffened towards the border there was an eerie silence as the train of cyclists all saved their breath. In Candanchu, shortly before the border, the first of several well organised refreshment stops gave us the chance to fill up with water and grab a sandwich, some fruit or nuts or perhaps a bar.

Me at the first border post of Samport

Mist turned to light drizzle at the top and eveyone was putting on a waterproof top or stuffing a newspaper up their shirt in readiness for the long descent into France. I had seen one rider shivering uncontrollably at the top and indeed  I was not particularly warm myself. But compared to last year we were being treated very well by the weather.

Starting the climb up the Marie Blanque - where is everyone?

Perhaps the toughest climb of the day then confronted us, the much-feared Col de Marie Blanque, a  9km ascent averaging 7.6%, but 12% nearer the top. Some riders were actually walking this section.

Me at the top of the Marie Blanque

 There was plenty of time to recover on the descent before we headed south again to commence the 29km climb towards the border crossing at Portalet. With an average steepness of 4.3%, the Portalet is deemed difficult more for its length. Passing the impressive dam at Artouste, holding back the turquoise green waters, the valley opens up. Cattle and sheep feed on the lush grass, totally unbothered by our huffing and puffing.

The dam at Artouste

Once over the Col de Portalet, the blustery wind made the fast descent a little scary. I reached a top speed of 75kph, my personal fastest speed ever. Yet within minutes I was back down to 7kph. The route veers off the main road to take in the beautiful Hoz de Jaca. It climbs for only 2km but the 8.9% gradient is tough on tired legs. The views over the lake are impressive and as is in other places, local people hold out beakers of water for you to take in passing.

At the finishing line, you hand in your scanner, receive some free pasta and beer, go to collect your medal and rejoice .

Me with Cesar, Dani and Toni at the finishing area.

My overall time: 10hours 11 mins

Cycling time: 9hours 30mins

Average speed: 22.1

Fastest speed: 75.3kph                                                                                       

The Concert

The Thamsanqa concert we have organised for Saturday is now totally sold out. Hopefully we will make a good total for the orphanage. I will post pictures after the event.