Bastille Day Blues: Tuesday, July 14th!

Literature encourages tolerance - bigots and fanatics seldom have any use for the arts, because they're so preoccupied with their beliefs and actions that they can't see them also as possibilities. -Northrop Frye, writer and critic (14 Jul 1912-1991) 

Storming of the Bastille, by Jean-Pierre-Louis-Laurent Houel

David Kessler Happy Bastille Day everyone!!!! Patrick James Dunn Up even earlier than usual, Cactus? Guess you needed to start celebrating or were you watching Le Tour? Or both? Are the loaves dyed to resemble Le Tricolore? Onward!

Bastille Day is the name given in English-speaking countries to the French National Day, which is celebrated on 14 July each year. In France, it is formally called La Fête nationale; (The National Celebration) and commonly Le quatorze juillet; (the fourteenth of July).

The French National Day commemorates the beginning of the French Revolution with the Storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789, as well as the Fête de la Fédération which celebrated the unity of the French people on 14 July 1790. Celebrations are held throughout France. The oldest and largest regular military parade in Europe is held on the morning of 14 July, on the Champs-Élysées in Paris in front of the President of the Republic, along with other French officials and foreign guests.

Hi Raymond!! Trust you are well Thanks so much for the good wishes for Sunday's ride. Must away as I have to load car for our trip to Vancouver. I hope I can drop by to say hello, at some point. Am bringing my Trek so maybe we can even squeeze in a ride! Fondestos from Cora Lee to you and Sylvia. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Morita Maniacs! Trust you are both well! Thanks so much for your good wishes for my ride. Must have been all of your positive mental energy, (Obviously, no physical energy left with all your last minute chores and preparations to leave. Bon Voyage!), that spurred me on. 

Funnily enough, I heard the same radio program with Michael Kaeshamme. Saw him a number of years ago at the Vogue and Jill Barber opened for him. Both were phenomenal and will see her and her brother, Matthew, at Folk Fest this weekend. [ I will probably sleep under Robo Man's deck!] Would certainly have gone to hear him had we been in Penticton. How ironic! Fondestos from Lady Mary, one jet-setter to another, busy packing her bag for New York, to you both. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Pat, You did extremely well on the ride. By the time you're 70, you might be down to 6 hours, although it would require you to up your average speed to 26.7km/h which is getting up there. Wondered if the have age categories in their results? After burning 5941 calories you probably could eat 16 oz. steaks and lots of potatoes for a week without noticing. The temperature probably was something of a factor but to knock off 45 minutes might be due to improved fitness also. Sounds as though you met some nice people en route. Can't say the same for my fitness and I've hardly ridden. Sylvia had to have day surgery out in Surrey last week and I took the bike and Guildford area which was very nice. She is starting to get over the anesthetic and seems to have more energy today.
 
I'm walking with Mike Carter in the morning at 9 and still involved with house jobs. Got to get walking fit to accompany Jim Brownlee on the Durham Coastal Walk in August. Would like to get in a ride on any other day, morning preferably. Hopefully you're still a little fatigued after your 160. Best wishes to Corinne for her New York jaunt. Ray