Tour de France

And when Mark Kav was more interested in kissing baby Delilah than being interviewed - not a dry eye.
I thought BW's winners speech a nice contrast to blooming Garret singing.
"Time to draw the raffle tickets then. Thanks to everyone...... My mum's here - her son won the Tour de France. have a good trip home everyone and don't get too drunk"

France, gj - and I do try, just hopeless at it! And yes, Bravo to BW - on both counts.

Butternut - where do you live? I think it is fine for French people not to speak English if they don't live in England, lol. Sorry for digressing on OP- just think that anyone who goes to live in a foreign country should make some effort to learn basic communicative language.

Anyway, Wiggin's French is excellent - so just wanted to say 'bravo' for that. Back to topic

I am fine with speaking French, but by the time we got to pudding (just before midnight) they were talking in Norman patois, so we were a bit lost...

Mamie Funnily enough I was at a 'do' last night as well, with a mix of French, German, English and Dutch. There was no expectation that anyone should speak one language or the other, so it sort of swapped around in between everyone, with English being the filler.
I am hopeless at French, although get by after a fashion, but when I (always) apologise for my lack of ability in speaking French well, it is frequently met with the reply that there's no need to apologise because they don't speak English well, either.

Yes, I had the wrong bloke. Bradley a bit disappointing when I saw him on the podium. Never mind. He's quite nice.

Loved the "We're gonna draw the raffle tickets now" joke. Very English.

Leslie Garrett looked as though she'd draped the nearest union flag round herself!

One of the commentators (an ex-cyclist) is really fluent in French as well. Mind you, we were discussing this last night at a dinner party with (fourteen) French neighbours and they were saying how bad the French are at languages too.

I don't really watch sport on TV- but well done Wiggins. I am especially impressed with his French, never mind his cycling. He makes a few mistakes, and like my OH has a lovely British accent - but he communicates and expresses himself very well. BRAVO!

I find it sad that so many expats in France (Spain, etc) never really make the effort to learn sufficient French (etc) to communicate effectively.

Lesley Garrett was the singer - I thought it was awful too. The dress looked like it had been cobbled together at the last minute!

Yes I found the singing deeply cringeworthy. Brilliant win though!

Three cheers for Wig, Chris and Cav. What a magnificent trio. Feel quite exhausted just watching the last half hour!

Wasn't it wonderful? Have to say, though, that I cringed with embarrassment when the national anthem was sung. I have no idea who the woman was, but she had on a Union flag skirt! I must admit that I don't like our national anthem sung by just one person at sporting events - the only thing, to my mind, is a brass band, but I don't suppose the French could get one of those for us, though I wouldn't have minded if they had just played the music.

Isn't it good not to be the "gallant losers"? Proud to be British and very proud of Bradley and Mark- great sportsmen in every sense of the word.
And yes, I agree a great precursor to the Olympics - even the sun has come out!
Go Team GB !!

The sun was out in full force in the garden but I was so enjoying watching the final part in Paris, so exciting right to the end, they were an excellent Sky Team. Such a great beginning to the next few sporty weeks, ( not forgetting Murray at the tennis finals)

Respect, yes. Just got back from a boozy lunch to see the end of the Tour. Brilliant. Now for a little lie down....

Didn't have to ride like that today; set it up for his team mate. Respect!!!

...and, we're told, only 4% body fat. Now I understand why he can ride like the wind and I'm knackered after just 10 mins on the flat, on an exercise bike.

Oh - I clicked, saw a pic of Cavendish and then unclicked. Yes Wiggo does have sideburns.

Common sense says she means Mark Cavendish.

Wiggo has long side-burns...

Yes, it is he, Jess. I did wonder who jingl was referring to....there are several photos, but in none of them does Wiggo look particularly handsome!

And his dad (a cyclist) peddled off.
Yes but the good looking bloke in the pic is definitely Mr Cavendish and not Wiggo. Mark is the hot (!) tip for the final sprint up the Champs, and also for the olympic road race.
Bradley kinda sweet but not exactly handsome - long streaky rasher of chap.
Somehow makes me think of wallace and grommit.
I think the other chap is Le nouveau president de la Republique?
but also def. not wiggo

Bags ...either that or she has just swallowed a bluebottle fly.

The lady behind him doesn't look too chuffed . Do you reckon her son was a competitor?

Good looking bloke isn't he?