Wednesday 27th April (Crag Martins on Mont Ventoux)


Mr. Kite looked out of The Joint window at the white observatory on the summit of Mont Ventoux. In the vineyards Magpies and Jays flew around in the morning sunshine. Today Mr. Kite was going to cycle up Mont Ventoux the easy route via Malaucene.

After a light 'petit dejouner', that did not include Kronenbourg, Mr. Kite cycled the six miles to the official start of the climb. With twenty three kilometres to go Mr. Kite slammed the beast into 'granny gear' and pedaled. Now the aging Mr. Kite was soon overtaken by three young Netherlanders on their carbon fibre racing machines but Mr. Kites sturdy Trek Ti30, complete with saddle bags, keep on going. With the first glimpse of the summit Mr. Kite had the three 'pretenders' in sight. With less than two kilometres to the summit Mr. Kite raced past them and reached the top after dodging piles of snow and ice.

Now Mr. Kite planned to spend some time on the summit spotting birds but it was chilly in the biting wind. Mr. Kite drank a bottle of Quezac eau minerale and headed downhill with his hair trailing in the wind. Three kilometres from the top where the air was warmer Mr. Kite slowed down and rode amongst Crag Martins, Blue Tits and Great Tits.

In the warm breeze Mr. Kite glided past the campsite into Bedoin where he purchased a bottle of Cotes du Ventoux 2009. Returning to The Joint Mr. Kite put the bottle of red into the freezer and went for a shower.

Now that Mr. Kite was clean and did not smell he checked the temperature of the wine and found it was seventeen degrees; perfect for drinking. Then Mr. Kite and His Lady sipped the juice of Grenache and Syrah grapes as they sat in warm sunshine in a vineyard. Marvelous.

With the Cotes du Ventoux consumed Mr. Kite enjoyed a few more tipples of Kronenbourg to quench his almighty and well deserved thirst. Cheers from Mr. Kite who will now cycle up Mont Ventoux the proper way; the more difficult way and who will be entitled to drink two bottles of Cotes du Ventoux. Cheers.