Technology

The last time I was in France was for 3 1/2 months rockclimbing, nearly 14 years ago. Back then, all the electronics I carried  were a cassette walkman, SLR camera and head torch... Life was simple - the hardest decision was whether it was a day to climb or take a rest day. The latter involved relaxing in the sun reading anything in English that was available, which meant some novels I wouldn't normally read! Then hitching a lift into the nearest town for supplies and whiling away the afternoon drinking coffee at a suitable cafe in the town square watching the people go by. Communication was by infrequent letters and even more infrequent reverse calls back home...

At its core, this trip will be the same. Each day will revolve around the decision whether to climb (this time on the bike) or have a rest day. But the list of electronics has snowballed! With Wifi available the Netbook will allow me to email and Skype my lovely wife and family, keep up to date with current events, and update this blog with the days exploits. The Garmin 310XT GPS watch will record the days stats from distance ridden to vertical height gains (of most interest) and can be uploaded. Camera, bike computer, mobile phone, car GPS with western Europe maps, and finally all the chargers and a couple of travel plugs!

I'm hoping I will still find the time to wander into town, relax over a coffee or two and watch people go by.