This blog started as a self-advertisement, the idea being to generate interest in or at least awareness of my book about cycle touring in France – France On Two Wheels.   I also seem to be using it as a dropbox for unused travel articles, having lost quite a few recently on a crashed computer.  It gives me the luxury to write what I like and tinker with it to my heart’s content, but deprives me of the chance to blame editors and subeditors.  I have promised not to write anything rude about my friends, fellow travel writers or anyone else.  There is more than enough rage on the internet without a contribution from me.  But if a little rant makes me feel better and saves my dogs a kicking, why not?