Rest Day: Picnic and Surprise

The VeloDrone's picnic took place in a grassy meadow outside Saint-Flour. He had organised a special surprise. The bearers of the picnic baskets were Belle et Bonne, and Marie!

After the necessary introductions, they sat down and began to eat. Belle et Bonne's basket was crammed full of local sausages, Saint Nectaire cheese, aligot and baguettes. Marie opened her basket to reveal a tempting array of chouquettes, macarons, a baked tarte tatin, still warm from the oven, a bowl of wild strawberries and a pot of fresh cream.

Gustave: What is there to drink?

The VeloDrone: Don't worry about that! I've brought champagne galore!

Farky: No water?

The VeloDrone: No, of course not. I do have some Powerade somewhere, I think.

Farky: Erk! That stuff makes me break out in spots.

Belle et Bonne: Oh poor Farky! Don't worry, I have some water in this bottle.

Sweezus: Oh Belle et Bonne, Marie, it's so good to see you!

Belle et Bonne: You too, darling Sweezus.

Violetta: Ahem. I've heard so much about you two girls.

Marie: We've heard so much about you too, SPLOSH!

Violetta: Really? You've heard of me? No way! Wow!

Gustave (munching on a sausage): Violetta, you and I need to talk.....

Le Bon David: Well isn't this lovely! The meadow flowers, yellow gentians, lilies, butterflies, sunshine, cows......

Gaius: Red and black kites, eagles, buzzards....

The VeloDrone: What? Buzzards? Where?

Gaius: I can't actually see any just now.

The VeloDrone: Good.

Marie: Well, everyone, how's the race plan been going?

Le Bon David: It's been going great guns! Violetta here has something up her sleeve.

Gustave: I think it's well past being up her sleeve...

Le Bon David: ...and Farky has made friends with Cadel Evans' dog, Molly the dachshund. He tells us she's into Japanese literature.

Marie: Oh how sweet! Manga comics?

Farky: No, much darker than that.

And Farky was once again off on his favourite theme.

Norwood to Strathalbyn

Stage Four of the Tour Down Under, from Norwood to Strathalbyn. The VeloDrone and Gymnosopher Ten are well out in front. Gymnosopher Ten has the ochre jersey in his sights.

The VeloDrone: Will you wear it, if you win it?

Gymnosopher Ten: Yes, I think I will, but first things first. I need some Powerade.

The VeloDrone: I'll call Marie. ( He gets out his phone ). Marie! Send Angel up to the front with some Powerade, will you. What's that? Oh! Outrageous! Tell him to get a move on. And you too.

Gymnosopher Ten: What's up?

The VeloDrone: They're still in Norwood, drinking expressos.

Gymnosopher Ten: Ah the young....

The VeloDrone: Marie is not that young.

Gymnosopher Ten: Nor is Angel. And he's getting a bit up himself lately, I've observed.

The VeloDrone: How so?

Gymnosopher Ten: Resting on his laurels. Always same answer. Hard questions have hard answers. Yes, we KNOW. But the girls seem to love him.

The VeloDrone: Jealous?

Gymnosopher Ten: Just wait till I get that ochre jersey. I'll show you jealous.

The VeloDrone: Hee hee!!