France: recovery ride + lunch

It usually takes about an hour to ride from our apartment in Nice to the top of the Col d'Eze. That's about the same time that it would take Jamie Oliver to prepare two 30 minute meals - or Luis Suarez to put two goals past a hapless England defence. How do they do it? The guy sitting next to me watching the game in the bar last night asked who I thought would win. Listen, I said, I've been watching England disappoint at the World Cup for 48 years since they last won it in 1966. Why should tonight be any different? Sure enough, we emulated the Spanish by exiting the tournament at the group stage, but without the consolation the Spanish had of winning both the previous World Cup and European Championship.

Anyway, back to the Col d'Eze. Still taking it easy after a hard few days so spun up in an easy gear. Arrived at La Turbie too early for the drinking fountain to be switched on so had a coffee at the cafe over the road and answered a few work emails from back in Australia on the iPhone. I could get to like these recovery rides.

Coffee over and it was back on the bike on the quiet road to Peille with the vague intent of doing the Madone from one direction or the other, or maybe of dropping down to Escarene. In the event, once I got past Peille the knee became painful, I imagined a sore throat, realised the bidon was nearly empty due to the fountain not being operational in La Turbie, reminded myself that this was supposed to be a recovery ride - and turned around and went home.

56 km, 882 metres climb, 2 hours 30.

Last ride for a couple of days as visiting daughter in Juan-les-Pins this weekend.

Wine (and food)

Was browsing through the Monoprix wine section yesterday, searching for a bargain. Found a bottle of Prieure-Les-Tours, Graves, from the excellent 2009 vintage at just under 10 Euros. Not bad. Decent tannins with a casserole of Toulouse sausages but lacking depth and finishing short.

I came away to Nice on this visit with a shopping list of local restaurants to try, one of which was Le Flaveur. Common sense says you are more likely to have a good experience at a relatively new restaurant that is just beginning to make waves than at an established 'name', living on its reputation - and so it proved. Le Flaveur received its first Michelin star last year. The 52 Euro lunch menu only offered three courses, but we also received three amuse bouches comprising nine separate tastes. An additional 30 Euros covered matching wines with each of the courses. Helen, who is not given to hyperbole, thought it the best meal she had ever had.

Seven cheeses to finish, with a glass of Hudelot-Noellat Burgundy.