This morning appears calm with just the occasional squally shower. Whether we stay or leave, the van needs servicing and we need to move from our grass pitch to one of the vacated hardstands.

Very glad we took the trouble of putting mats under the wheels, we get out of our sodden corner with no trouble. By the time we've dumped and filled there are tiny patches of blue sky, and better still, no wind, so we ring ahead to Toulouse and set off at 10:45.

Last year we went in the same general direction along the parallel N'road. That took over six hours including a leisurely lunch in the sunshine. http://www.offexploring.com/marylou/blog/france/montolieu/2014-05-18%2022%3A16%3A38

None of that dawdling today; all but 5 of our 157 miles on the autoroute, running at 65mph most of the way.

We have a few small showers but the wipers are never on full and around half way we stop for a cup of soup in an aire under the chateau at Buzet sur Baise. In the car park is a replica of a 17thC pigeon loft, like a mini Tudor house perched precariously on stone columns.

At 14:30 we arrive at Camping Le Rupe on the northern edge of Toulouse. We will wait here until Sunday to meet Nick and Grete [currently in Limoges] then travel south together.

For this afternoon we will look into access into the city if the weather permits tomorrow but we are glad to have moved on a few miles closer to wamer areas.