Anecdotes from the team

Thursday, 8 July 2010

We continue to train in the morning and rest in the afternoon due to the heat.  I can not find any definite statistics, but so that you know we aren't just whinging, the cars have been reporting temperatures of 42 - 44 degrees in the afternoon!!  The local swimming pool and the airconditioners are well used. 

Steve's bike is now fixed and Mary's has arrived and they are both very happy.  Today we trained on a map that is adjacent to the long qualifying race - you can see a copy of this map here.  Kay set a short course such that we could avoid most of the hills and still get a bit of practice through the small villages, which are proving to be come of the most confusing sections.  They are generally small cobblestoned streets, with driveways that are also cobbled, so you need to be careful to take the correct turns and not end up in a dead end in someones back yard.  The training area was up the hill from the campground so the boys and Kay took the opportunity to ride home down the sweeping turns of the main road (I'll chase down some photos from them).

Tomorrow we move into the WOC accommodation and Saturday will be a model event.  In the meantime, here a couple of anecdotes that have been amusing distractions from training and the heat.

Ordering dessert at the local restaurant:
On the first night we got the offer of icecream and orange or apple. However we shortly discovered the choice was actually between icecream, orange or apple, a subtle difference.  When we tried to clarify the choices with the waiter he explained (in a voice that indicated he could not believe he needed to explain this simple concept) "No, no, no. Orange, orange. Icecream, icecream".  To complete the picture this was accompanied by exaggerated gesticulations that demonstrated that these were two seperate items.  Needless to say, we quickly learnt the difference and those icecream eaters have avoided ending up with a plate of sliced orange.  

Discussing how to make frozen orange treats:
Mel: "You cut them into boats and freeze them"
Kay: "But, how long do you freeze them for?"
Mel: "Until they are frozen"
Kay: "And how long do you keep them frozen for?"
Mel: (now quite confused about these questions): "Until you eat them!?!"