A Parkrun in Pierre de Bresse
BEAUSEMBLANT
Awake early and head to the start of the parkrun. Meet a couple from Darwen Runners in the car park and direct them to the start. Unfortunately, the toilets are closed so a visit to woods is required.
The Darwen Runners have friends who arrive from Calais on the stroke of 9 am. Their young lad is a fell runner. Everyone introduces themselves before the race, easy to do when only 14 take part. Imagine how long it would take at Huddersfield.
One of the runners is a German who works at the University of Essex, Colchester, teaching political science. Our warm down consisted of a discussion on the role of the US in international politics.
The course is covered in mist which adds to the atmosphere and is three laps through the woods. I finish in seventh in a time that would have won last week.
The latecomers are from Rossendale and he hands out scarves celebrating the club's 50th anniversary.
Rosie announces that the electricity has been turned off so no wash for me.
An uneventful 4 hour drive down to Beausemblant which is south of Viene.
We stop for lunch at a nice boulangerie and collect provisions for dinner on the outskirts of Viene.
There are 4 camping cars when we arrive but they are squeezing them in by 7pm. Rosie shows her skills in guiding me as close to hedge as possible including resting the bikes on top of the hedge.
The temperature is a good 10 degrees Centigrade warmer than last night. It certainly improves our mood. We don't even need the heater on in the evening.