Hot 8 @ 8

8am and the campsite sleeps. Early risers are in the minority. They sit proudly in the early morning sun with their prize....the freshest and most delicious pick of the onsite bakery! Croissants, Pain au chocolat, baguettes in all sizes and widths! By 9 30 the choice is much more limited. They sit quietly sipping their oversized coffee's.

I gave my Garmin plenty of login time today!! Pleased to say it coped well.

I ran out towards La Palmyre, It is 1.3m from the campsite along the cycle path. the small port is an array of colourful boats. The gentle clinking of masts and buoys is such a 'holiday' sound to me.

My legs were sore and achey for the first 2 miles, my left clf felt tight.....the heat even at this time in the morning was quite intense and so once more I considered it an achievement to be out and ideas of attempting to up the speed were shot!

Following the path around the outskirts of 'club med.' (which looks like a concentration camp from the outside with it's high fences and security! Not sure if they are trying to keep us out or the clients in!) I enjoyed amazing view across the sandy beaches and calm water. The 4th & 5th miles allowed some welcome shade. Just enough time to get my head together for the last stretch of the run back to the campsite!

8miles-1:10:47

The Journey...not running yet.

Despite having just as far to drive the french side of the channel as in the uk...the uk always seems longer!

We set off Sat late afternoon and drove down to Somerset. Jeremy's dad was away but he was kind enough to allow us to stop-over at his house. We arrived around 1am. It is very odd being in someones' place when they aren't there.

The kids made themselves at home....Grandpa keeps a small box of ancient toys and a number of vintage Snoopy books and annuals which seem too be an important feature of a trip to Somerset. I think it is more to do with their past owners than their content, but I have to admit I share their fascination with the aged remnants of a long gone era!!

On sunday we went wild and had a full English breakfast in Sainsburys, Bridgwater! We stocked up on a few last min buys, before we left the familiar sanctuary of The Priory...yes that's the name of the house -named long before the rich and famous claimed it!! We had arranged a rendez-vous with my parents in Wellington they're looking after Daisy while we are away. She get's totally spoiled.....she loves her holiday!


Despite having loads of time to get to Plymouth in time we managed to cut it fine. Spent ages trying to buy stamps and diesel!! There are hundreds of speed cameras in Plymouth, practically every half mile...infact I bet you could plan a run by them!

We were last to board but ended up right at the front of the car deck...so 1st off:-)

After a double G'n'T we scoured the shop, investigated the boat then hit our cabins and with the help of the gently rolling sea managed to forget we were in the bowels of the boat and passed out!!

Rudely awakened at 5am by the tinkly bell they use to rouse the passengers,I managed to drag myself into the land of the living. The give you an hours notice that the boat is going to dock. It took us 10 mins to get up but it wasn't until we got a fix of strong french coffee that my eyes were truly seeing!! The children allowed us to usher them to the car still pretty sleepy.

We rolled of the boat at Roscoff with out any bother and headed south. Jeremy took the wheel for the first part and it wasn't long till the kids were all snoozing. I took over North of Nantes. The french roads are brilliant and it makes the driving easy.

We arrived at the site around 2pm congratulating ourselves on our efficiency. It then took over an hour to check in..I won't start on that story, but suffice to say after covering nearly 1000miles to get here we weren't impressed.

Still we had arrived and all we had to do before sinking into that holiday relaxation was set up the trailer!

Campsite Bonne Anse Plage, La Palmyre
1000m-2.5days