J47 – 2/2/2006

The road is very pleasant with snow capped mountains, orchards along the roads, little traffic.  It’s easy to see that  Serge is really enjoying  it.  After Edessa, the traffic became heavier and a long straight stretch took us to Giannitsa. 

It’s not in the guide books that you can have information about this region, which has several winter sports sites, archaeological sites and hot springs.  Near Giannitsa there is a museum having to do with Alexander the Great, who was born in the region (information I got from an English speaking bus driver at a service station).

At Km 73, Serge should have stoped but an incident delayed the team.  The camper got stuck in the mud and the 4 wheel drive had to pull it out.  Serge continued on his way and made a 2 km crossing of Giannitsa, and we picked him up leaving town as night fell. 

Serge was very talkative all day long, joking at almost every feeding.  Then at dinner when he is normally so talkative he didn’t say a word.  He is extremely tired, really exhausted and his body demands rest.  At 20H30 he was in bed, e.g., 19H30 in France. It is difficult to explain that time is counted.  Serge takes time to sleep, to eat and to run.  He sits in front of the computer but I read him his messages.  When he arrives at the end of the stage he has a good shower, then a good massage, following which we eat and then it’s to bed.  The team’s life isn’t clocked but it is centered on this rhythm, which is a kind of ritual.

English translation by Lee Hecht