Here goes, my first attempt at a travel log on my mobile! I haven’t bothered with the ride down, although we enjoyed the journey, nothing spectacular to share. A day off the bike and we had a wander around the market to buy a new picnic knife and some saucisson sec for our days out.
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Out on the bike again, this time with Wim navigating me to la Combe Laval and Col du Machine, returning via the Col de Rousset. Another massive thank you to Wim for sharing his routes with us. This was a great day out in lovely sunshine but not enough to cook us!
The start of Combe Laval, with the first of many arches over Rose’s right shoulder.
Approach to Col du Machine.
Lunch with my new (legal) picnic knife. I was warned by one who knows, that the zombie knife I used to keep in the top box could cost me my liberty!
A heartbreaking visit to pay our respects at a cemetary and tribute to the WW11 Resistance based in the Vercors region. Men, women and children died fighting or in reprisal executions in 1944 in the space of a few days. Over 500 houses were destroyed by explosives or incendiaries.
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On our way back to the digs, riding down Col du Rousset.
Now the tricky decision, where to tomorrow?
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That all looks perfect - and my idea of food heaven!! Have a wonderful trip.
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Looking great, Paul! Happy to have been of some assistance! 
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I’d suggest Gorge du Nan…
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Great pictures and the food looks interesting.
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Yesss! Thats the one!
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You’ll love it Paul!
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They are actually very good. Fried in parsley butter ( buerre persil) and a pichet of local vin blanc. Very nice.
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I always thought it was a grotesque idea to eat frogs legs until I tried them, same as snails. But I enjoyed them both. French beer probably helped 
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A longer day today, so an earlier start. About an hour and a half of main roads to drop us in the start zone for some great riding. The Gorge du Nan, Gorge du Bourne and the fantastic Col du Rousset back into Die. About 140 miles and almost as many smiles!
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Well done Paul! Looks like you’re making excellent use of the routes!
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Saturday was very wet so we decided to have a mooch around the market. A very pretty girl sold me a very small slice of cheese for a very large amount of money. But it tasted very good for our picnic lunch. Out on the bike today, wet roads soon began to dry and the scenery was fantastic again. Great choice by Wim to include so many passes in one ride. Col du Menee, Col du Grimone, Col du Croix Haute and lastly the Gorges de Gats.
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Lunch is looking great! 
That was a great route, that one. And it appears you had better weather than I on the first bit…
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Agree about the lunch… nice snack TP!!! 
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A great ride up the Col de Rousset and col de la Battaile. Our hotelier recommended a visit to the Resistance museum and glad we went. They provide audio guides for us non linguals which really made a couple of hours into a worthwhile history lesson.I am reluctant to take photographs in museums which deal with death and sacrifice. However, the German glider frame outside seemed fair game. A lovely bit of tube cutting and welding to make a one use aircraft. The wings and tail plane were made of wood and fabric. Our own Horsa gliders were all wood! 10 soldiers and one pilot in each of these. Must have been terrifying inside waiting to see what the landing site would be.
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A little sadness at leaving Die, but good to be moving on. Over a couple of Cols and valleys into a different department and up the intimidating Mont Ventoux. We paused at the Tom Simpson memorial to remember what a great cyclist he was and could even made world champion. Tom died on Ventoux from dehydration, heat exhaustion and sadly, amphetamine misuse in the 1967 Tour de France. The french fans loved Monsieur Tom as he paraded around in a bowler hat, the quintessential English gent! Onwards to the Gorge de la Nesque and more amazing roads. A well earned beer and a Gallete for tea and we are heading East towards the Gorge du Verdon tomorrow. Cant wait!
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That’s a pretty one!
Done that a long time ago, awe inspiring! And it’s on the cards for next year with mrs. V!
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