4hrs 32mins. Fast, but not furious.

I dunno. This is supposed to be a long haul effort and here he is, tonking along like it's 'only' a one off 26.2 miler. in the quickest time yet.

After seeing none at all of La Rochelle owing to the wetroom with a bunk bed we stayed in last night (it's good for Hugh to experience such things, though possibly not now), we legged it off to something that was supposed to be a beach but turned out to be a new roundabout by the sea. Still, a carpark for the warm ups, an all important facility.

Scenery, is, in reality, a secondary consideration at the beginning of the day when we want to start ASAP. Hugh likes easy roads to run on, preferably small, traffic free ones but above all those that have a good surface and a clear vista. One needs to get into a zone, particularly during the first 10 miles when you're trying to settle into the long day ahead when there are still a shedload of these damn things hanging over you, or rather, Hugh. Just in case I've painted too Disney a picture of this.

Nice day though, rain free again and a countryside run, interspersed with a couple of attractive towns. Hugh felt the best he has done during the whole trip, helped no doubt by my 8 mile trot with him at the end. He's under a new regimen, devised by Samia which cuts down breaks to a minimum and means I have to ensure the pasta is al dente and on time. This is all geared to getting Hugh to a non stop performance at Brighton if any more credibility were required by that stage. Still, as a VIP runner, he wants to give it a good crack (as I do if I ever get back to fighting weight).

George arrived tonight, joint head of the UK desk. He has the same impressive amount of hair as Jonny. We are concerned it is a Folicle Conspiracy to steal the limeight and Hugh is also watching shampoo related expenses very carefully.