Up and at it early for our ferry crossing to Calais. Really couldn't have asked for a better crossing the channel was virtually flat. We were getting a bit worried when the ferry didn't dock by 1145 as we had to pick the car up by 1200, when they closed for the day and wouldn't be reopening until Tuesday due to tomorrow being Bastille Day. We needn't have though as the nice lady was waiting at the arrivals for us. She ws lovely and took us through everything on the car, suprisingly we didn't have to go through any border control, like the other foot passengers, just in the car and out. We have a GPS system, hooray, so set it for the fastest route with no tolls and off to Lignac we went.

First impressions of rural France was a larger scale of England, all rather picturesque, at a distance. However up close it seems quite deserted, with very few houses open or people on the street. We drove mostly through the smaller towns however, also managed to take in Orleans, which provided the excitement of the journey with an accident. No, not us! some guy drove in to the traffic lights and half of France had turned out to help. Or so we thought, in fact a little further on we came upon an ambulance on it's side across the railway line.

Finally we came to the end of our 8 hour car ride safetly at John's door. Greeted the neighbors as we climbed the front steps to a very impressive traditionally french home. It was built around the turn of the century, the last one that is, and been owned by the same family until John was lucky enough to be offered it 18 months ago. A bit of a yak, bite to eat and then it was off to bed for the weary party.