Our advanced party Robin and Barbara Cooper are enjoying cooler temperatures in Italy..

We’ve made it to Lake Como and only 5 miles left of Italy which is good because I’m looking for one of those St Bernards with a Whisky barrel round it’s neck. Today has been a nasty shock to the system. After days of flat cycling, as you can see, it’s rather mountainous and the tops still have snow on. This has been the first day when the heat has only got to 33 and it even rained for 2 minutes. The 9 mile there and another 9 mile back detour in completely the wrong direction led to a minor sense of humour failure but I’m sure it will soon be forgotten and put down to much needed extra training. Waves are lapping under hotel window, mini bar’s being raided and dinners on it’s way then Switzerland tomorrow and on via the mountains to Bellanzona. Despite rumours we always need to be one country away from the Spartans all that will come to an end as they catch us up in Lucerne. R and Bxx