Helicopters flying overhead, gendarmes moto headlights, sirens blaring - they're coming!

L'échappée with Europcar's Thomas Voeckler having a bite to eat and Team Sky's Kiryenka taking a drink.

Voeckler's PowerGel sachet and Kiryenko's bidon landed at my feet - nice souvenirs! 

Just over a minute later came the peloton with Astana at the head looking after Nibali in the yellow jersey.

The riders were strung out, climbing out of Pailhes towards 

Saint Girons.

 Suddenly I had to step back as a Movistar support car almost ran over my toes - crevaison!

It took only a few seconds to put things right.

 Pailes is a pretty little village just 30 mins drive from Tarascon.

 All was well prepared to welcome Le Tour 2014.

Below - this year's collection of 'Tour Tat' - plenty of key rings, caps, bags, snacks and fridge magnets and, of course, the Team Sky bidon.