Driving in France - at this time of year anyway - is a real pleasure. Today I covered about 600 miles from Brittany to the Basque country, and am less stressed than by a typical trip from Naas to Dublin. It would be nice to linger in some of the towns I could see beyond the vineyards, but I'm even more keen to get to Africa.

Tonight Biarritz feels very off season, but the Youth Hostel (I'm minding the budget!) is livened up by a school group singing I Will Survive at full volume. Tomorrow looking forward to the coast road to San Sebastian and Bilbao.

If this is Tuesday it must be France

Irish Ferries have redeemed themselves. Although the original ticket to France was 100 euro, because of the cancellation they 1. put me on the ferry to Pembroke in Wales (€127); 2. Gave me €100 for fuel; 3. have agreed to refund for my ferry from Portsmouth to St Malo (£175).

So I had a peaceful night in a cabin on the very impressive MV Pont Avon from Brittany Ferries. It was so calm it felt like we were docked all night.

P.S. My passport arrived from the Algerian embassy a few hours after I left home. So it has been couriered to Stefanie to bring to Malaga. It will come in handy.