J5 – 12/22/2005

Departure at 7H30 from the parking lot of the Pont de Normandie. 

A runner, Alexandre, came from a small town near Le Havre to accompany Serge for about 20Km.  He was celebrating his 1000Km because, like many runners, he scrupulously counts ever kilometre he runs.

Serge missed a turn which added 3Km to this stage.  On the road to Beuzeville the police clocked him at 8-9 Km/h, whereas Laure, at the wheel of the camper, almost got a ticket for speeding !

It was a day of surprises.  Philippe Billard, Editor of UFO Magazine, arrived in the morning to get fresh news and take some photos (to be followed monthly in the magazine). 
Dominiue Robert, from internal communications of Employee Networks of AGF, arrived from Paris early afternoon and took some photos under a very dark sky.

At 17H45 a third visit: Messrs. Ayashi and Tadashi, directors of Mizuno Europe arrived in Broglie.  They were on hand at Serge’s arrival in Barre-en-Ouche to give us pastries and good luck charms for the long race which lies ahead.  To sum it up, there has been much happiness since the beginning of the race, in particular, the surprise visits and the sharing with all these runners.

Serge is going gently.  He feels he will be able to go far only if he is attentive to his body.  The most difficult part for him is at the end of each stage, when nights falls, it gets cold, cars become a danger and his watchfulness is put to the test.Today the weather was perfect: 5°C – no wind – no rain – 60% humidity: idea conditions for a runner.

The town of Barre-en-Ouche (900 souls) welcomed us this evening.  Mr. Courvalet, the mayor, opened the town hall so Laure could get a telephone connection.  He also made available a connection to electricity  for the camper, in which we will sleep for the first time on the Trans-Eurasia.  We hope we will have the same welcome at every village stop.

Our next bulletins will be online Monday.  Best wishes to all for a Happy Christmas.