Day 4 - Tuesday 23rd June

A much easier day today. And hopefully a shorter blog entry.

Up for a 40 minute run with Matt whilst Katie roller-bladed along Promenade des Anglais, before breakfast.





Down to the beach for a dip and a snooze before lunch. The sea was pleasently warm. Felt cold as you went in, but was then okay once there. Kind of like jumping into the UEA pool. Will probably stick with the wetsuit for race day, but for warm up swims might not bother. Noticed a current moving along the beach. 260 strokes one way, 200 the other. Would actually say that's quite a strong current. The water is really clear. When you float vertically you can easily see your toes. It's very easy seeing swimers beside you and with a tourquise tint to the water it feels like your swimming in an aquarium. The salt taste is strong. Didn't note any taste of diesel, which is what I had been warned about. The issue is the shingle beach. Have now invested in some disposible flip-flops for use during the remainder of the trip.

Had a good lunch - not cheap eating out here. 30Euros. Going to have main meal at lunchtimes now as part of race prep as I don't want to be eating late particularly on race night. Another habbit I'm going to try and get into is getting up early. With a 6:30am race start sunday we're going to be getting up at 4:00. That's not going to be nice, but if I'm used to getting up at 6:00 then it won't be quite such a shock.

After lunch we went upto the Nice Ville grounds and snoozed and read on the grass up there. Far more comfortable than shingle and far more chilled than a busy beach. Discovered more of historic Nice - it is very pretty. And then out for a very very easy 1 hour bike ride with Matt. A mere spin along the prom dodging mobile obstructions.



To save money, and becaused we'd had our main meal mid day, we just bought some Yop, ham, cheese, bread, dried banana and pan du raisin, which we ate in a local park whilst the local residents played boules around us. Washed that down with a beer on the quayside. We asked for a half and got a half a litre. Noticed on another table there were steins so glad we didn't ask for a grande beer.

Up tomorrow for a dip in the sea at 6:30am. Spot of breakfast then off to take Matt round the route I cycled yesterday. A second opportunity to practise the descent. This time I won't got lost in any scenic villages. Katie I think is going sunbathing.