Messrs Tom and Tom reliably informed us that we had 500 km to cover today if we were to reach our targeted end point. Having checked the orientation of the North Star, the southern cross and three seperate compasses we were satisfied that all remnants of the previous carbon dioxide intoxication had left our system and he was sending us in the right direction.

Heading on to the A6 the “autoroute du soleil”‘ the description could not have been less accurate, more like the “autoroute du brouilllard et pluie”.  An uneventful couple of hours  led us to the outskirts of France’s second city, Lyon where the A6 could now be accurately named ” the autoroute with a hint of sunshine”. It was here that I again disgraced myself by missing the very clear instructions to keep right on entering a tunnel and emerged the other side, in the middle of Lyons’ narrow streets on midday on a Saturday, where, it now appears that all the Lyonnaise drivers are aware that a Brit in a hired motorhome, with all insurance excess waived is probably something to avoid.  As we headed further south, I confess the autoroute du soleil lived up to its name.  The landscape changed once again , as mountains appeared on the horizon, the oilseed rape was in flower as if Spring had already been and gone and this part of France was heading headlong to summer.  The vines were still apparent but now and then fruit trees and olives could be seen.

Arriving at our stop on the edge of Provence but still, technically in Languedoc, we parked up for the night.  

I realise that I may have been remiss in not not introducing our trusty steed for the journey to the world.

“Rattling Reg” is a motorhome hired in the UK and has begun to develop his own personality;  he doesn’t like going above 110kmh very much hence we generally arrive at our destinations at least an hour after Messrs Tom Tom suggests we should ; he doesn’t particularly care for rough surfaces ( he has sensitive tyres) and will express his displeasure by rattling everything you possess to let you know, but he does like to have himself plugged in to the mains once in a while ( each to his own, I’m not one to judge !) This evening, as a special treat we parked in a pine forest on the bank of a river.

With Reg plugged in and feeding nicely, a barbecue dinner, a glass of red wine and a visit to the river were called for.

As I sign off for the night, with the sound of the river running past the window, I know I’ll be up in a couple of hours !!