Never has watching a sport for so little time taken so long – such is a day, and it takes a whole day, watching a stage of Le Tour. Nevertheless, it’s great fun and a real insight into French culture.
Une journée à Le Tour
Le Tour – It’s not just about the riders
In total the tour is said to consist of about 5,000 people, a huge infrastructure exists not just to support the riders but also just running the show and bringing it to the viewing public.
The Team Leaders – Le Tour 2018
All images taken at the rider presentation in La Roche-sur-Yon on 5th July – all taken handheld with the PL 100-400mm mainly at 400mm (800mm FF equivalent) wide open, iso 640-800 and shutter speeds from 1/160-1/400.
Team direct énergie at Le Tour 2018
direct énergie are a French team based in the grand depart host region of the Vendee – for the 2018 tour the team is to be lead by Frenchman Lilian Calmejane.
Astana Pro Team at Le Tour 2018
The capital of Kazakhstan lends it’s name to this pro cycling team that has something of a chequered history – today it is lead by Dane Jakob Fugslang.
Team Katusha Alpecin at Le Tour 2018
Team Katusha Alpecin are a Russian Swiss based team lead by Russian Ilnur Zakarin although perhaps the star of the team is the German sprinter Marcel Kittel.
Team Lotto NL – Jumbo at Le Tour 2018
The only Dutch team in Le Tour, Lotto NL – Jumbo represent the Dutch national lottery and are lead by Dutchman Robert Gesink.
Team Sky at Le Tour 2018
Team Sky’s leader Chris Froome faces a tough test this year to retain his title, if he does so it will be his fifth consecutive win placing him amongst the sport’s absolute elite.
Le Tour de France – 2018
The 2018 edition of the world’s largest sporting occasion begins this weekend with Chris Froome from Team Sky vying for his 5th consecutive win.
6K Barn Swallow
I was busy photographing the Oyster sheds at La Baudissier when I noticed a Barn Swallow shooting in and out of a gap in one of the sheds, presumably feeding some nestlings. Up for a challenge I thought this might be a good opportunity to once again test out the 6K functionality of the G9.
Hip to be Square
One of my favourite functions on the Lumix G9, that comes as a consequence of having an electronic viewfinder, is the ability to see the results of different crops (picture modes) in camera or indeed filter effects such as monochrome.
N – E – S – O
Le Phare de Chassiron lies at the western tip of Ile d’Oleron facing out into the Bay of Biscay and the Atlantic beyond. Around the lighthouse the gardens have been laid out in the pattern of the cardinal points of a compass creating leading lines from the north, east, south and west or nord, est, sud and ouest in French.
At the Market
Anyone who has been to France knows that the French have an obsession with food, culturally it is a very important part of their lives.
More Cabanes
More colourful Cabanes – this time in Le Chateau d’Oleron. A number of these old Oyster farming cabins have been converted into artists studios whilst others remain in their original use, all in all a rather odd mix – still they do make good photographic subjects although enough is enough and other subjects await.
Saint-Savinien-sur-Charente
Saint-Savinien-sur-Charente is one of the most picturesque villages in Roman Saintonge. Climbing a rock buttress on the banks of the River Charante the village affords nice views and provides some good places to stand.
Saintes
Saintes an historic town in southwestern France, in the Charente-Maritime department. In Roman times, Saintes was known as Mediolanum Santonum, and during much of its history, the name of the city was spelled Xaintes.
Royan and The Coast of Beauty
A little mish mash today – all taken on a cycle ride along the “cote de beaute” between St-Palais-sur-Mer and Royan.
Charrelets – Belle Epoque Architecture – and that Catherdral again.
Wow !
The most striking building in the French coastal city of Royan is undoubtedly the Cathedral (église Notre-Dame) – it stands on the site of a former neo-gothic church that was destroyed in 1945 (as was much of Royan). Designed by architects Guillaume Gillet and Marc Hébrard and built between 1955-58 entirely of concrete, it is considered one of the leaders of French contemporary architecture.
Lumix G9 – New Firmware 1.1
On 30th May Panasonic issued the first firmware update for the G9. It can be downloaded from Panasonic’s website here.
Citadelle de Brouage
Founded around 1555 Brouage was at first the centre for European salt trading, before it became a military base under the drive of it’s governor: Richelieu. It was once the most impressive sea-port of France and Louis XIV, today the bastion lies some distance “inland” surrounded by brackish marshes and provides some interesting photographic opportunities although is perhaps best appreciated from the air.
A Good Place to Stand 