4 hrs 45 mins. A Scottish summer - four seasons in one day and in difficult circumstances.

This is getting a bit daft. Today was supposed to be a day when things calmed down, the media circus leaving town leaving Hugh with a generally flat run further up to a quieter part of the French coast . The run was duly completed but with an element of drama.

The run from Biarritz started from the previous day's finish point at the lighthouse. The weather was utterly filthy, wind and rain buffeting our high sided campervan. Lots of people crowded in and there was last minute filming before Tripod and Tim caught their flight out. Hugh was trying to get ready in the melee but found that his backpack containing passport, water reservoir and bespoke running insoles was mislaid. He was very tired anyway and this is the last thing he needed. Despite everyone's help (Toby and Tim jeapordising catching their flight driving round town to all the places it could have been left), we couldn't find it. Having no time to further delay the run he made a start, with Jamie from Media Tree (one of our sponsors) lending him his camelback.

The weather continued to be mercurial, hail at one point followed by warm sun. Strangely enough though, the run went well. There is some release in just being out on the road unable to do anything but concentrate on putting one foot in front of the other. Jamie did a great job of staying with Hugh for 16 miles and later walked the last couple of miles with him. For Hugh this was a day of just getting it done, fortunately the old insoles holding up in lieu of the new. The run was varied - the boulevards of Biarritz giving way to the industrial seascape of Bayonne, haulage and timber yards lining long, straight, blustery roads. The last half was along forest roads, remarkably similar to those in coastal Portugal which now seems a lifetime ago.

During the day, the backpack was located. Max at Media Tree in London had done a great job of talking to the Biarritz police (the benefits of an international operation you understand) and a blue rinse grande dame of the town had handed it in. As the passport is a legal document Hugh had to pick it up in person. Options were for it to be sent to the British consulate in Bordeaux and collect it there or do a whacky races trip back to Biarritz after the day's play. Stumps drawn, Hugh legged it into the mean machine, and whilst he was massaged by Samia, Jonny PR navigated and I coaxed the old bus down to our day's start point once more. We made it just before the police station closed at 8pm.

Feet up blowing smoke rings over a brandy? Not a chance. A long drive back to our hotel to find it closed despite having phoned earlier. 'A-ha' we tutted and feeling a little weary of the day's little tests drove around in a very rural area trying to find a hotel, avoiding closed up places out of The Shining. Just after 10pm we found a beacon in the night, closing up for the evening but they found us rooms and fed us even though the kitchen had closed. This was their first day in business, the mayor had attended the opening and they had their first adventurer guest. I must give it a plug owing to their sheer hospitality. Hotel Cote D'Argent in Vieux Boucau les Bains. A splendid two star with five star food.

Tasty blonde lady owner as well. Jonny PR was shameless 'Mais oui-ing' all over the shop throwing his hair this way and that coquettishly trying it on. All I have at my disposal was the sad tale from school of Madame et Monsieur Dupont and their petit chien struck by lightning outside their windmill whilst chasing the pet monkey. 'Mon singe et dans l'arbre' I muttered sadly in defeat whilst chewing on a splendid entrecote de beouf in between sips of a lightly chilled Buzet.

All ended well with a reasonably tired 50in50 team grabbing some sleep, post midnight as usual. Samia wasn't well unfortunately but has now recovered and never waivers in her treatment of Hugh in difficult circumstances, often treating him on the go. Ice is no longer readily available nor baths, not great for Hugh as this the ice helps prevent inflammation. Bags of petit pois may have to suffice. He carries on with good humour without any melodrama. It's very telling to see how people react to circumstances thrust upon them and he does so calmly, philosophically and with practicality despite the fact he has to get up and run yet another marathon in the morning. He could do with a trouble free day tomorrow. The route will be flat at least. We all grind on, day dreaming of 8 hour sleeps.

Apologies for the irregularity of blogs but we have limited time at the moment and are having problems getting hold of a French sim card for the mobile internet phone thingy I plug into the lappy and also have limited availability of wifi at hotels. Our carrier pigeon got eaten in a weak moment and our messenger's horse is lame. No doubt you are all in hand wringing despair. A few despatches are making it through the lines so bear with us. Alternatively If you're thinking 'what is this chump on about?' I would advise you to switch off Coronationside and tune into this. It's certainly eventful.