Announcement Imminent

Word has it that the announcement of this years route will be at the same time as the official TdF (Tour de France) stage announcements on the 25th October. (Next thursday, and one day before my wife's expected delivery date)!

I have heard through the grapevine that this years Epate is likely to be from Pau --> Hautacam, which means its in the Pyrenees again. The route is likely to include Tourmalet (a big mountain!!!), and obviously Hautacam which in itself is pretty terrifying! Will be interesting to see if the sources are correct!

Normally the Etape is run on a tour rest day, so looks like it might be the 13th July, although fortunately for me its not a Friday!

Will be a long wait until next week now, before the organisers seal my fate.

A little bit about Keech Cottage

Before I can even think about asking anyone to sponsor me, I think its only fair to make you all aware of the charity which you will helping.

The Pasque charity (incorporating Keech Cottage) provides specialist palliative care for adults and children with life-limiting conditions. Their mission is to provide the best quality of life for their patients and their families as they prepare for a dignified death. Their multi-professional approach involves medical, nursing, social, spiritual and emotional care and is provided 24 hours-a-day, every day of the year. Care is free to all regardless of race, religion or culture. The Pasque Charity operates two hospice services - The Pasque Adult Hospice and Keech Cottage Children's Hospice. The hospice buildings are located together within beautiful countryside just north of Luton. They also run a children's community nursing team who work with families in their own homes.

Operating the two hospice services will cost £4 million this year. As an independent charity, they rely on the generosity of the local community to raise 75% of this figure.

The money I will be raising will be going specifically to the childrens (Keech Cottage) part of the charity.