Mileage 922. A cruise through more wine and brandy country into the foothills of the Pyrenees.

Mileage 782. From Coulon to Bordeaux via la Rochelle. La Rochelle mix of industry and classy town with well heeled locals strolling and cycling through parks. Retail therapy in Decathlon and Carrefour. Too many rond points in France now. Rauzan very pretty quietly tucked away. Mermaid and merman bas relief on front of 'manor house' in town centre. Oyster seller plying his Sunday trade

Mileage 598. Very short (in mileage) journey today after leaving la Fontaine at around mid-day. Liz and Alastair took us to the local dolman, a Wayland Smithy like long barrow but (a) uncovered and (b) with the most collosal rock on top that had, until around 100 years ago, been a single piece. L and A's hospitality beyond description. Stops during today's trip for first dose of French hypermarche and for stop in countryside to consume our purchases. Coulon ...

Arrived at 19:30 last night just in time for beer and nibbles. Liz as host and infinitely knowledgeable local guide took us to Brissac market to buy dinner and then to Saint Mathurin Sur Loire and Le Thoureil on the banks of the Loire. Alistair returned from Paris around 6:00 pm and settled into barbequing fish.

Overnight at Port-le-Grand. Mileage 209. Lunch at Saint Adrien on D6015 by Seine at Rouen.