Skyride

A change of pace today with a visit to Alton Towers. The kids love the hi tec, high speed thrill rides but my favourite part was finally getting to ride in a monorail - which I've been waiting so long to do I can't remember exactly when and where I first encountered the concept - possibly in a Tom Swift novel the best part of half a century ago. Disappointing, therefore, that there were no jetpack rides - I'm pretty sure Tom promised us jetpacks as well as monorails.

I was also quite happy with the sedate pace of the cable cars on the 'Skyride' which, together with passing through Brailsford on the way there and back, I took as a good omen for continued success for Chris Frome and team Sky in today's stage of the Tour de France after his sensational victory at the top of Mont Ventoux. I'm off to watch the highlights on catch-up to find out.