Day one

On the road by 5 am it was a bit odd turning around and not seeing those excited faces in the back. We made it to Dover in time to catch the earlier ferry where we wandered around watching families chase their children about. We were travelling like grown ups and it was very strange.

There were some hairy moments when we got off the boat as we attempted to find the right road. We were desperate to avoid the toll roads so thought it best to tell the sat nav town by town. Some how it didn't work and we ended up some miles out of our way. Eventually though we gave it our final destination 'avoiding the toll roads' and it seemed to work it out.

We drove through some lovely French villages set against the most beautiful scenery. It was only spoilt by a lack of a toilet. I have thought this before but French women must have bladders the size of suitcases since they clearly don't need the loo as often as we do. In the end, in desperation we had to buy a couple of burgers in a 'Quick' which was anything but, in order that we could use their toilets. It was worth every penny though, such was the relief.

Arriving at Bar le Duc at around 5 pm we checked into the Ibis Budget - which is exactly what it says on the tin - we managed to walk up to a nearby Eleclerk (I think that's close?) for a couple of bottles of wine and a cork screw. After a couple of glasses we were asleep very early.