This place is so relaxing, even the birds don't start singing until 05:30

A herd of white Charolais cattle is in the orchard, young cows with their first calves and a few steers. As we are eating breakfast the farmer comes and they are driven noisily up the lane.

We receive some texts for our wedding anniversary and set off with not much of a plan other than needing to top up our LPG. From the available places we opt for the supermarket in Falaise. We retrace our drive back down the narrow winding lanes and through Vimoutiers. It's all pretty farmland and, as for the last few days, plenty of 'Haras', [equestrian farms] and horse boxes.

At Falaise the fuel station is height restricted and although it appeared just high enough we don't risk it, so it's off to another one in Argentan. Here there is only one LPG nozzle and it's on the wrong side for our filler. While Nick reverses into the bay Ali goes to the cashier's kiosk to explain we're not doing a runner.

Filled and paid we head for a France Passion out in the sticks near Carrouges. It means another climb up a narrow road with a tractor taking to the ditch and hedge to let us pass. We turn into a very tidy and picturesque farmyard with barrels and presses nicely painted and neatly pointed stonework for the buildings. The owner shows us where to park, with a table and benches for our use and a view the owner tells us, in English, is 'the dream'. We look across a valley to fields surrounded in trees, including some white May trees. In front is a high knoll of log grass leading up to more trees. Oh, nearly forgot to mention; it is another cidre farm. We've collected a few bottles of cidre over the last few days as expected on the route de cidre, but here we buy a bottle of his AOC 4 year old pommeau, for which he received a gold medal yesterday, as something a bit special.

Birds sing well into the sunny but cool evening, crickets chirp away and after sunset the sky is filled with stars.

A sad footnote to the day; we receive news that Nick's uncle John died last night after a long illness.