Awards and citations:


1997: Le Prix du Champagne Lanson Noble Cuvée Award for investigations into Champagne for the Millennium investment scams

2001: Le Prix Champagne Lanson Ivory Award for investdrinks.org

2011: Vindic d'Or MMXI – 'Meilleur blog anti-1855'

2011: Robert M. Parker, Jnr: ‘This blogger...’:

2012: Born Digital Wine Awards: No Pay No Jay – best investigative wine story

2012: International Wine Challenge – Personality of the Year Award




Sunday 21 September 2014

Loire ride for young cancer sufferers: Day 5 Chavignol (Sancerre) to Beaugency

Michel Mergot: deputy mayor of Epeigné-les-Bois 
will be riding part of the way tomorrow

Something must have gone seriously wrong with our calculations today – I'd thought it would be around 120 km from Chavignol, the leading commune of Sancerre to Beaugency. Instead it was the longest day so far with 166 kms ridden in 7 hours 48 minutes at an average 21.3 kmh. Only 189 metres climbed, which underlines how flat this part of the Loire is.

From riding mile after mile and seeing virtually no one and few habitations, you get a real sesne of how big France is in European terms. I was pleased with the way today went: for although it was long I still have the stamina to finish strongly. 

Tomorrow will be another longish day from here to Bourgueil (Café de la Promenade). I am delighted that Michel Mergot, the deputy mayor of Epeigné-les-Bois and previously mayor of the commune, will be joining me for part of the way tomorrow.

Delighted that donations are now steadily coming in: Gustave Roussy is now up to 775€ and Virgin Giving @£751 including gift aid. If you have already given to help care for and support young people with there is still time to do so.

Here's how you can donate:

For Teenage Cancer Trust in the UK: 
http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/JimBudd
For Fondation Gustave Roussy in France: 
https://igr.friendraising.eu/jim.budd
With anticipated thanks.
       

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