First Week Back in Euroland!!

We're back!!!!! And it is so cold and rainy!!!

I landed in Milan last Monday, Caley and Ramsay picked me up in the still Giro be-stickered  (akin to bedazzled) Renault Megane wagon.  That car has some serious pick up and some serious room.  We had to fit my bike box, two small rollies, and a backpack (and a purse) into the car.  They already had about two bags each, plus Caley's Mosaic.  So yeah, the person in the back seat was nice and cozy. You could definitely tell that at least two, and at times three, bros had been living out of that car for about a month....

First stop was the Mediterranean  We dipped our toes, scarfed some crappy tourist trap pizza, then checked in to a sweet Residensia hotel.  We had a stove, dishwasher, clothes washer, table chairs and couch in the room.  Perfect for Caley who has been eating out for a month.  A quick trip to the store produced a chicken for roasting, potatoes, tomatoes, fresh salad and some insanely cheap Campari (according to Ramsay).  We feasted and conversed late into the night.

Second day dawned with misty rain (oops, we left the laundry on the balcony).  We headed west along the coast, then cut up into Provence headed for Le Coquillade.  Seriously fancy.  Wine tasting in the caves followed by  dinner in a Michelin starred restaurant accompanied by the best and brightest of the cycling tech industry folks topped off an incredible 24 hours in Europe.

On Wednesday Caley headed off for a ride on the new BMC, the entire reason we were there in the first place.  Ramsay and I took off to explore the vineyards, ruining our shoes tramping around in the woods and the mud, but the views and the fresh air were definitely worth it.  By the time Caley was doen riding and eating lunch with the surprise "guest of honor" (Cadel Evans...) we were ready to head North to Annecy.  The drive was pretty painless, just long.  After checking in to the hotel, we headed in to one of our favorite restaurants in downtown Annecy, le Belle Excuse.  Salads as big as your head! Bigger in fact!

And today! We moved in to our house!!!!!!!  It is incredible!!!!!!!!  I didn't take pictures in time to add them to this blog post, but I will update with some soon!

I seriously can't wait to get settled and start riding every day.  It is still very early spring here, the mountains still have fresh snow on them from last nights epic rain, and it is chilly!  We are in the Alps, so I guess it makes sense...Next week the weather is supposed to be in the mid 60's though, so hopefully we'll get out for some good rides.

Caley has the Dauphine this week, not sure if Ramsay and I will go with him to the race, but he gets to ride the train to the start, and come home to sleep in his own bed each night, that is a treat for sure.