David , you really must study regional habits in greater depth. Baler twine has multiple uses mainly to secure ones donkey jacket against incoming draughts or to restrain trousers in danger of vertical collapse. It's main use in Yorkshire (after being released from hay or straw bales) is for securing field gates in the closed position.
Whippets are held with pieces of slightly stronger cordage, usually the type of rope that BT use for pulling cables through ducts. This can often be found at the side of the road or in some fella's yard after the cabling has been disposed of for scrap recycling.
Real men use chain between hand and dog collar. (we used to anyway)
Seriously, I drove over to Skipton yesterday and there are LOTS of TDF related flags, bunting and yellow bicycles all along the route.
Yorkshire really has got into the Tour in a big way and I for one am proud and pleased about that.
Even villages not on the route have put up yellow ribbons and bikes.
Downside is that all the road closure signs are in place as well and that is going to put many people off. Cars parked anywhere near the route will be towed away.
