T de T: in which Nick rediscovers his mojo

Written by Nick after a night in Brive la Gaillard (spelling highly suspect). 

Yesterday was Wednesday, and a day in which Merle surpassed herself.  She is used to London traffic and hates it. But now she is on the open road and in the environment that Harleys are designed for. That said, Stefan served us up with spectacular riding - hairpin bends, steep gradients, winding descents. There were a few straight bits but they didn't last for long. Just as well for Jony, naturellement, who gets easily bored when the road lacks hair-raising excitement. He rides behind me to check that I am taking the bends with appropriate aplomb ie leaning over so far that you have to wipe road-kill off your wing mirrors. Actually I have come to suspect another reason for Jony's rearguard vigil - a secret briefing from wifey to keep me in view at all times... The trip was full of variety. Stefan's satnav directed our little convoy of 2 BMW 1600s, me and Jony's BMW 1200 down a farm track with low overhanging branches that had never seen a Harley before. I was expecting a farmer to stand in the middle of this grassy chemin with a pitchfork and a few chickens shouting "On ne passe pas!". A great day. 

Fascinating way of holding up a metal fence!

Ten hours in the saddle = ???

This was taken in Collonges-la-Rouge, a very cute sandstone village 
'nestling in the chestnut and walnut trees of the Bas-Limousin", close to Meyssac.
Very touristy, very pretty, very hot. 

If you're passing, check out Curemonte, 13km south east of here, whose  'brazier' golden-coloured sandstone mark it as one of the most beautiful villages in France - a high accolade indeed. 

Stephane shows no sign of wilting in the sun, 

despite wearing his biking jacket