4 hrs 47 mins. Another day without incident. Thankfully.

An excellent performance from Hugh, running across wine country. Duly completed in time for a small aperitif.

We set off from Asque in Fronsac, on the north bank of the Dordogne and of the Gironde estuary. This is very attractive wine country, to the north west of the prime regions of St Emilion but still very good, producing merlot based full bodied wines. In the main these are for early drinking, which is just as well for us. Gently undulating countryside with well ordered vineyards - lines of wires train the vines, generally established gnarled vines with thick trunks. They made an attractive patchwork to look at, as we drove along slowly in the intermittent rain and sun. This sort of weather will be just the job for the ripening season. That's enough of that. I'm getting well out of my depth.

Hugh was joined early by Gavin, who is incidentally - as well as another friend, Adam Wilton - a member the fastest unsupported UK team to the South Pole. No hotels or vino for them, to put it into perpesctive. Gav tag teamed with Jonny and later Emma and me who ran the last few miles. Lots of junctions and checking of the route as we were on small roads but great to run on.

Passing vineyard after vineyard along the Rue des Vignes we weakened and felt compelled to visit one - the Chateau de la Prevote. After a tasting we tottered back into the vehicle after a couple of brave souls climbed onto the top and stored the five cases we purchased (mainly halves of 2005, an excellent vintage) into the top box. After, this the van tottered a bit too. During our visit we gave directions to Hugh - as he stoically continued his run - which he followed splendidly, a pleasant surprise for him and us all. Hugh's in laws own one of the oldest vineyards in Portugal so he understood this was a necessary diversion. We videoed Madame's reaction to Hugh's quest. She thought it important his red blood cells are kept healthy. We agree.

We stayed the the night in Montgyon. Surprisingly there were no restaurants open (I'm sure your hearts bleed) but we found a decent brasserie and had an excellent meal in the end to say good bye to Gav, Emma and Jonny who all leave tomorrow. Wine country again, how will we cope?