4hrs 42mins. A cracking run on small winding roads.

Hugh has now completed 70%; a serious achievement. That would normally mean he's got an 'A' before doing anything else. He's a running swot though, and in great shape, so we continue.

Rich farming country now on a very warm, sunny day. We're in between recognised wine regions but have stocks so are OK until we get to the Loire. Spring is definitely here - the green shoots of crops, blossom on the trees, lamb gallivanting (probably) etc ad nauseum. Reminds me of that time just before the summer term of university; the feeling of Spring sun on one's back followed by the certainty of imminent failure before fear and focus pulled another save out of the bag.

Hugh is relaxed and cheerful as ever on a beautiful day. It's a bit like the Cotswolds here; honey coloured stone, pretty villages and undulating countryside; all of which attract would be landscape painters, caravanners and other criminals. We had a fortuitously placed lunch stop in a village square with a church, loos and a couple of aces of tarmac on which to turn our nimble jalopy. We filled the water tank and Hugh reclined briefly on a bench, during which time I was able to 'conjur' up something resembling pasta before our hero hoofed off once more.

I joined Hugh later for 7 miles which felt OK and it is good to be running with him again - the peacefulness and unspoken conviviality of it all. Samia spotted several species of hen today and some different coloured cows and a red squirrel was sighted. She's happy. The days just fly by..

In a motel south of La Rochelle tonight. Hugh and I have a double and a bunk bed above. He insists on the latter and sits scoffing pizza and coke like a schoolboy with a beard.

We start from the quayside of the town proper tomorrow so this will be our last sighting of the French coast before Calais. Heading north east tomorrow in the direction of Blighty, but still some way off.