Paris 🇫🇷🗼

Today peaked at 36 degrees (feels like 38) and I'd have to say I noticed it!  I've just had a month in Northern Ireland where it was at least 20 degrees less each day and I haven't had a summer since September last year 😂. Lots of water, locating shade, but absolutely loved my day.

An early start and a bus, train and bus and I arrived at the Rowing venue. 

Volunteers at all the transport stations making it easy for the visitors 😊. I had a great spot right on the fence line with two fun American girls from Ohio on one side and a couple from Saddleworth near Manchester on the other.  Lots of nice conversation between races.

I was cheering on Aussies and Kiwis all morning and they won or qualified in all but one race.  I think I was the only supporter in my section, so I made sure they could hear me 😂

I've purchased the 'Visit Paris' transport pass (70 euro for 7 days) and today racked up the equivalent of 30 euros worth of fares #winning.

After the rowing I decided to be a Tourist and caught 3 different forms of transport to visit Sacre Coeur, Paris's second highest point. 

The views are extensive and lots of visitors enjoying them.  I visited inside the church and sat for a while cooling down 😊.

Then down the stairs to the fountain where kids and adults were splashing around and I sat on the edge with my feet dangling in.

I wandered around Montemarte with cafes full of relaxed people.  I think the ratio of visitors to ice-cream/gelato may have hit a record or two today 😂 stopped outside Moulin Rouge.

I arrived back to the apartment about 6.30pm, nearly 12hrs after.  Step count 17,000 which was mostly this afternoon.  I was feeling a bit hot and fatigued but, a cold.shower and a few iced waters helped.  I made a big lentil and vege pasta which will keep me in dinners for a few days.

A nice evening chatting with Stephanie.

Tomorrow I have tickets for Beach Volleyball.  Purchased before the draw announced and so not seeing Australia play but looking forward to the Eiffel stadium venue 😊

Belfast 🍀 - Paris 🇫🇷✈️

A big travel day. Cycle to Belfast bus station, catch bus to international airport, pack down bike, check-in, delayed flight, arrive Paris, go through customs, collect baggage, rebuild bike, meet friend Stephanie, catch a train with bike, cycle 5kms and arrive at Stephanie's lovely apartment.

This visit to Paris has been on the agenda all along as I purchased low cost tickets to the Olympics more than a year ago. I've had to try and sell/ forfeit a couple of events as I couldn't enter France any earlier, but I'm here now and pumped for my first event Rowing, tomorrow morning. I'm staying with Stephanie an Englishwoman who lives in Paris and I met her in Bavaria last August and we have kept in touch. She met me at the airport and we caught the train. She then hopped on the tram and I cycles 5kms to her house, grinning in the 28 degrees as I was cycling in Paris as the sun was setting🗼Such a blessing to have somewhere to stay at such a peak time. I'll be in France for the remainder of my adventure.

I'm sitting at Belfast airport surrounded by Irish accents and reflecting on a wonderful month. If you visit in July expecting warm summer days then you would be disappointed. I came expecting variable weather and it delivered. I had wind, rain, cold, warm, sunshine and sprinkly rain. The natural scenery is beautiful with rugged coasts, UNESCO listed landscapes, great hiking in the mountains, courteous drivers who gave a cyclist a wide berth on the roads. There's a lack of campgrounds from my level of investigation but many other accom types. There are pretty little villages, worker villages, lush farmlands, bustling larger towns, coastal views. Historical sights, castles and many historical sights. great local bus network. Most importantly, all of this is boosted by friendly, curious and welcoming Irish hospitality. Don't be put off by the political issues of the past. There are still rumblings and as with any place I have visited, it is wise to know areas to avoid. I'd highly recommend a visit to Northern Ireland. It gets a ✅ from me.

It's midnight and I have a 6am alarm. Olympic fun awaits.

Portaferry - Belfast 🍀 75kms 🚴‍♀️

I lay in bed this morning listening to the sweet sound of Dan and Grace's little 3yr old River singing nursery rhymes 🥰

Chatting out route options last night with Dan, I completely re-routed based on his advice and also kind offer to drop me to the ferry.
Instead of cycle lane beside the highway, my longer route involved a ferry from one quaint village to another and a day cycling the South East coastline of Northern Ireland. 

The weather turned on a perfect day with sunny skies, light breeze and temps reaching 19 degrees 😊
I cycled for 15kms with 71yr old Alan who rides every day and twice a week does a 50-60km.loop.  he had lots of tidbits of history to pass on 😊

I stopped at the most Easterly point of NI and had morning tea beside the sea.

I lunched on the sea wall at Donaghadee and said hello to an older gent standing near the bin.  I put in my lunch scraps and commented on the lovely weather and he replied that every day beyond your use by date is lovely.  He then proceeded to tell me one dad joke after another and we were both laughing loudly much to the amusement of others.  I bade Carson farewell and he said I'd made his day by saying hi. 

I followed the coastal path to Helens Bay upon recommendation from a man who spotted me and asked what route I was taking.  The path hugs the beach and was slow going as busy with every man and his dog, and kids with buckets and spades, but fun being amongst happy ambling people. 

I arrived at my warm showers host who had looked after a few items for me for the month.  Sam has been away, arriving back at 10.30pm and had hidden a key.  Such trust and kindness.

I did my calculations and I'm 4kms short of 8000kms cycled but didn't feel like a lap or two round the hilly block here just to tick that box today😂

I'll be sad to leave the warmth and friendliness of Northern Ireland.