Monthly Chat Thread - July!

[Bean]

A good start to July here - the sun is shining! And the slugs have not yet managed to get to the second round of veg seedlings I have grown.

We've got the Tour de France kicking off near us this weekend, so there's a lot going on to mark the occasion. Don't look out for me on the roadside if you're watching it on tv though, as I don't think I can face immersing myself in the massive crowds expected to line the streets - I'll just watch it on tv to see if I can spot my kids who are being taken in by someone more exciting than me!

[3piggles]

Happy July Silly question but why does the Tour de France start in England? I have a friend who is a major cyclist and fan of cycling competitions, so she will probably be in the crowd I wouldn't be out there, either

Our independence day is Friday, so it's a long weekend here. Hubby is taking Thursday and Monday for 5 days off. The heat and humidity should move out for the weekend. We'll do a lot of barbecuing and some chores around the house, and a lot of relaxing

[Bean]

Sounds very nice indeed - apart from the chores haha!

I think it's just down to money why it often kicks off elsewhere - having the 'Grand Depart' in other countries generates audiences and investment they might not otherwise get for the sport. I certainly know a lot of people getting very involved who would never normally even mention it!

My son's spent the day at a cycling event with 50 other schools from across the city - kids of all ages doing races and other cycling stuff at a beautiful estate the race will pass by. You never know, they might have inspired a cyclist of the future!

[3piggles]

My friend is in St. Leonards, East Sussex. Not sure where that is in relation to the race route.

[Bean]

A lot further south! It's only going as far down as Sheffield, South Yorkshire.

Yorkshire is the big yellow county around the middle. Sussex is the purple one at the very bottom on the right.

[3piggles]

She'll find a way

[Bean]

Actually I'm completely wrong - the third (and final day in England) is down south around London/ Cambridge so much closer!

[3piggles]

I don't have to watch the race, just get the updates from her

[Bean]

I think I'll watch the start on tv, as it'll be fun to see it go through town. But after that I'll be out of the loop!

I've just started a few new game threads in this forum as the word games seem quite popular, especially when people can't stop by for long. But a bit of variety might be nice! Time will tell if they're any good!

[3piggles]

I'll check it. The word game threads have given us all reason to improve our vocabularies

[Bean]

I think we should have a geography one too - I could use brush ups there!

[3piggles]

I am sooo bad at geography!!! I would need an atlas

[Bean]

Me too - even more reason!

Oh my arms are about to fall off. Had to carry a monstrously large and awkwardly shaped model my son had made into school today. Not only was it pretty heavy but the wind made it like a sail so I think my arms are finished off for the week. To add insult to injury, I had the kids complaining about how embarrassing it was me carrying it because it was so big and how everyone was staring - at one point I did threaten to put it down on the pavement and sit on it if anyone said another word! Ungrateful soandsos!

For anyone who hasn't noticed the thread, we're running a photo competition so dust your cameras off over the next week or so and see what you can come up with!

[3piggles]

Kids, lol

[Bean]

His teacher said he could leave it in the classroom for a while so everyone could see it, so thankfully I didn't have to lug it home too - especially as it was raining and it has rather a lot of paint on it that would have ended up on our coats!

Le Grand Depart here today - I will have a peep on tv later and see if I can see anyone I know in the crowds, including my children!

[jolovespiggies]

Little monkeys, they should have been very grateful to you love LOL!! Hope the arms are better.

Hugs
JO xx

[3piggles]

Did you see anyone, Bean?

[Bean]

Not at the time, but when my sister came over after with her daughter and my two, we spotted the back of her daughter as she was stood up on something which put her about 4ft above everyone else around her wearing a bright yellow tshirt! They enjoyed being part of it anyway, although the kids were a bit perplexed they spent several hours waiting to see something that lasted about 5 seconds! The cyclists weren't even racing when they passed through the centre (it was the ceremonial start, the real start was a few miles away at Harewood House) but they were still super fast and as they were still close together, it was over in a flash!

I watched a bit of it and got frustrated with the number of people who step out on the road while the cyclists are passing - either to get a good view, to wave or to be idiots. Apparently it's very common - it must drive the cyclists mad. It was a good turnout of support throughout though and they passed through some beautiful areas so it was a nice reminder of what's on our doorstep.

Thanks Jo, they did ache yesterday but better today! I'm going to get the bus when we bring it home!

[3piggles]

We've noticed that race routes aren't blocked to spectators in UK and Europe, while here everyone is kept behind barricades of differing strengths depending on the type of race. No spectators allowed in the race route! Glad you got to see someone you knew, even if you didn't know it at the time

[Bean]

They had barriers up throughout the city centre and at various points - maybe it's too hard to do the entire course when it goes on for so many miles? The narrower country roads probably don't lend themselves as well to having the space for barriers either.

This video says it all - honestly, I'm not an aggressive person but watching how idiotic and disrespectful so many people are makes me want to slap them off the road!