This week I have been
Reading
The 2011 Tour de France race guide.
Watching
An Idiot Abroad
Listening to
The xx
Discovering
(Or rediscovering) Hamlet - Nicki Greenberg's beautiful new version, thanks to the fabulous Snarkattack, who invited me along to see Nicki talk about the creative process behind the book.
Eating
- An enormous serve of bangers'n'mash and a nourishing pint of Kilkenny at the Town Hall one dismal Tuesday evening.
- A "Chachi" - chianina meatball sandwich - another brioche donut and some amazing chocolate tart at Beatrix, which Essjay has reviewed.
- A lazy Sunday lunch at The Crimean. The Polish hunter's stew (bigos) was just the thing to revive me after a chilly bike ride.
- Generous piles of fried food with oodles of chillies and sichuan peppercorns at Sichuan House
- Succulent suckling pig at Liberteene.
- An array of bright, zesty flavours at Chin Chin, where the only problem was having to choose only some of the items from what looks to be a menu that is all hits, no filler.
Can’t wait. I’m off to Toulouse a week on Friday and will take in the stage finish there and the following stages in the Pyrenees. My money’s on Damiano Cunego to win but I think Cadel Evans will push him all the way. With Denis Menchov, Carlos Sastre and Alejandro Valverde all looking in good shape too, it could be one of the best and most open Tours for years. I predict Brit Mark Cavendish will win the opening stage in a sprint finish to take the yellow jersey.
Which is why Jan Ullrich’s reaction to this year’s race can only be read as sour grapes! It is shaping up to be a really good, competitive race. I’d love Cadel Evans to win, obviously, but Cunego and Valverde are both looking very good. Look, I’ll be happy if it’s an honest race for three weeks! I’m envious that you are going to be there – that’s a plan for the future.