Nick forgoes tasting this morning as he has to drive, but suggests Ali takes her cornflakes with her to have with the calvados. Didier has a fine set up, with an array of recently installed shiny stainless steel stills and a range of drinks from apple juice to a vintage calvados at €140/bottle. We know our place and just buy some pear cider. Yesterday we had wanted to combine everything into one service day, as we needed diesel and LPG, but with France close...

Once more we’ve enjoyed a silent night on a France Passion. The owners of the two French vans that arrived last evening go up to the shop but return empty handed before leaving. When we leave Ali tries the shop door to say goodbye but all is locked up. We need a service point today so we head to Pontmain past endless fields of maize except for a few herds of cattle. There is barely a car on the roads, supermarkets are closed and France seems deserted. Appr...