Day: February 16, 2006

What sunshine!

We decided to change the route we originally planned  to take and instead go along the black sea until Trazbon and from there go down toward Erzurum.  By doing so we believe we will have better weather and less traffic on the national highway N°100, which is a very commercial road.

This morning at feeding Serge arrived with an adolescent, Simi, who ran with him in regulation school clothing: suit and tie.  He spoke excellent English and explained to Serge that he had seen him on TV last weekend.  He warned him about Iran and mentioned that the cartoons really weren’t very smart.  We agree, even if we know that they are just a pretext for political squabbles.

From Sakarya, Serge went on toward Karasu, where we joined the sea.  There was snow along the road down to the beach and out into the water.  The scenery was really unusual and truly splendid.  At kilometer 55, no fewer than 7 hills followed until the end of the stage and one of them had an incline of 20%.  Always serene, Serge put his heart into trotting along.
 
The scenery at the end of the stage was a real treat for the eyes.  It was a just recompense.

As for the followers, today Georges was in the 4 wheel drive as feeder, coached by René. Serge is happy to see Georges, who is his uncle and at 69 the doyen of the followers.  The whole team is fine and the morale is good.  It goes without saying that when you spend your day outside bright sunshine recharges the batteries.