As the MIPIM merry-go-round starts to wind down the delegates retreat to the usual Croisette bars and with shiny sun and wind-burnt faces reflect on this year's show. Official numbers were put at 18,000 but some have guestimated that it may have been as low as 10,000.
While the talk has been of more business and less freeloading, there were still one or two lively sounding parties in tents at night on the Croisette and the bars at the Martinez end of the Croisette where the drinking action was taking place.
The lack of big announcements was also noticeable. Some of the UK's RDAs put their hands up and freely admitted they had nothing to promote, while others scrabbled around for what were obviously spurious announcements. One briefing was an announcement about... an announcement.
Notable faces that have caused a stir have been Boris (of course) who made his presence felt in the way only he can, Kevin McLoud of Grand Designs fame - who is very passionate about sustainability apparently - and Linda Barker, if you happened to go to the Bradford apartment.
The presence of Sir Bob Kerslake also caused a bit of a stir among those in the public sector.
And so it is time for a final bit of networking and then the clearing up after what has been a much more sober MIPIM.
Hard day racing against the clock to get to Cannes in time for Boris. Hope you've all caught it on the news tonight???
Steep climbs - great being a skinny girl as you can whip past the boys! Only for them to storm past you on the decent :-)
Boiling hot, beautiful scenery, bikes... What more could you want?
Perhaps a drink and some food on arrival.. Thankfully and generously supplied by Savilles.
C2C not over though... We're all back together in Cafe Roma proudly displaying our medals, reliving the past 6 day.
Until next year...
Last year, confidence in a quick recovery for property was destroyed when, the weekend before MIPIM, Bear Stearns collapsed. The conference took on a gloomy outlook, in spite of the sunshine.
This year, the weekend before the conference starts, the government took action to try to cure the ills of the banking sector through its asset protection scheme. This follows a period of gloom, with REIT share prices in the gutter and banks pulling back from property. Will we see a reverse in this year's conference, with people finally starting to believe it when they say now is a buying opportunity? The weather in Lille on the train down is grey skies and cold. Let's hope the sun is out in Cannes.
Woowoo!! We have completed 5 days - one left to go!
Everyone got their legs out this afternoon as the air warmed and the sun came out. Spirits high so the group was large as we sped at high speed through stunning scenery. Unfortunately you can get so hooked on the wheel in front you forget to look!
Day topped off with a questionable dinner bringing the conversation round to what everyone is going to eat/drink on arrival in Cannes tomorrow.
Its 170km with a 500m climb to start. Then we're picking up Boris Johnson as we enter Cannes for our honorary lap. And don't forget to watch the London Tonight news tomorrow who'll be interviewing those mad men who have completed every stage of this 1500km journey across France.
Doug has gone mad - he's definitly earning every penny you helped us raise completing all stages per day bar one when his bike broke. I think he's been secretly eating Duracell batteries...
Kevin stared slow, but is now averging 4 out of 6 stages a day. Perhaps planning a an all stager today??
Myself? 3 stages a day, but moving up to 4 today as its warm, sunny and the scenery is stunning. Body not quite broken yet :-)
Each stage is between 40 and 60km.
Bring on the hills!
Hi - Sara here - another of the 3 girls on the trip...
Really starting to feel the weather warming up now. The sun has warmth at 8am and the short gloves are packed in the daybag in anticipation for the afternoon.
We've been flying along on the flats these past days- averaging 35km/hr or so. With the front group taking the wind for the rest, it's a joy to ride and the speed is really exhilirating for the amatauers in the group.
Rolled through orchards and the usual small villages this morning, watching the sun rise behind the hills and mist. It's now 8.30am here and there's still 11 hours of riding to go. Realising most of London is still asleep as I listen to teammates call their children on the way to school.
Not sure what I'm going to have to talk about tomorrow at MIPIM- I've forgotten about the rest of the world. Can't wait for a long lie in on wednesday!
After a miserable morning following last nights miserable dinner... The wind dropped, the sun came out. Almost all 66 riders out enjoying the ascents and descents... With the thought of tonights steak dinner on everyone's minds we rolled into Chanas at a speedy 35km/hr.
The diet of carbon fueled energy bars, gels and drinks taking its toll.
Hampered even further by a strong head wind. Very little banter in the peleton.
The experienced ones weren't wrong when they said today is the toughest.
Scenery changing - lots of small rural villages - its like going back 50 years. Lots of dogs and horses going mad as we pass, and even the odd deer.
Time for a quick snooze on the coach before we head back out again...
Great day - spirits really lifted by time we reeled into the hotel at 8pm... Late but some great decents. Really got the speed up as we wound down the hair pin bends. And couldn't come soon enough - the morning rides had been rather dull.. Endless straight roads through an open landscape of vast fields.
Day finished on a rather strange seafood pasta dinner in Dijon (how far from the sea?). More testing than the road.
Everyone red faced and tired.
Half way there :-)
Longest day today - 320km. Not sure anyone has managed all of it, but def some who did 5 of 6 stages totalling around 270km + an extra 15km as we went the wrong way at one point! Myself? A respectable 175km today. Looking forward to dinner as starving!
Great day though. Chilly and icy start turned into glorious sunshine with a tail wind - not a cloud in the sky as we sped at speeds averaging 26km/hr through a beautiful rolling countryside where the roads stretched out before us. This is what its all about :-)
A few falls, but nothing serious - and a few aches and pains keeping the lovely SMART girls (Zara and Alison) busy. Thanks girls for taking care of us!
Bring on tomorrow...
Morning! Its very dark outside....
Leaving Greenwich Park at 9am this morning already seems a long time ago. It's good to be back on the road, my third c2c and perhaps the fact that I know the ropes means I've been even more excited about this one than previous editions.
Holed up in Calais holiday Inn this evening it's time to think about the journey ahead. Today's jaunt down from London to Folkestone like a mini rehearsal for the much longer, colder and
darker stages to come - tomorrow covers
over 300km alone! Allez Allez!
We are now in Folkstone - bikes packed away and riders on the coach.
A bit chilly at times today but can't have been too bad as I think I have got sunburn. Everyone inspired for the week ahead.
Today's 90km passed quickly and with no mishaps. An amazing sight - 66 cyclists in pairs weaving through the countryside.
Big thanks to the British Cycling motorbike escorts - superb job. And what a treat to go through red lights :-)
Next stop France...
Clear blue sky... A rainbow of lycra colours descends on Greenwich.
Excited and nervous banter as everyone prepares to head off. 20 mins to go...
