My worst fear has occurred. I have broken down on a motorway in the pouring rain. Green flag said I had to find an SOS phone somewhere on the motorway as the French have to do this. I started to walk but not seeing any sign of a phone, doubled back and walked off the slip road to an ordinary road. There was nothing open about to get help it is a special holiday time when all businesses close. I flagged down a car with GBG (Guernsey) number plate and they kindly ...

This Aires is described as pleasant and it was. It is next to a small marina and a big park. There some horses in the area next to me for riding. It is a pity that I am useless at horse riding. I was thinking about staying there when a couple in a van there made friendly overtures which made me the decision easy. They were from Portugal and fruit picking in France to earn some money. After I had set up the van I took Sacha for a walk in the park. 3 big dogs came...

The day started well enough. After the usual protracted goodbyes I set off for an aires to save money. I chose Challones sur Loire in the direction of home. Pleasant journey despite mixed weather which at first took me through the centre with many lakes. We know why there are lakes! We stopped beside one for a picnic. It was all cross country or through little villages. I had driven 250 kms and was looking forward to arriving at Challones sur Loire. Just 5 kms ...

Visited HSBC bank in the hope of being able to send money to myself. A long two and a half hours on the phone to various departments and robotic people and all I achieved was for them to send £300 no more. They either treated me like a criminal or made out that they were doing me a favour. I am having to return straight away. The £300 will only cover the ferry and the payment to the vet - if that. Since then I have spoken to Brittany Ferries and it seems that...

Bought a baguette and coffee from the boulangerie before driving off. Didn't get very far as I came across a flea market at St Julien. All very interesting and I bought a small blue and white striped parasol which matches my bedding. I changed my destination as I remembered that there was a HSBC bank in Le Blanc about 2 hrs away. Chose a campsite about 20 kms from there. It has been raining hard all afternoon. Going through St Benoit I saw HSBC bank right next ...