Up bright and early for the journey to Biarritz - not that far, about 160km.

No problem getting off the pitch, pushed the caravan into position with the help of people who had dragged themselves out of bed early on a Sunday morning to see us off.  Hitched up easily and said our thankyous and tearful goodbyes.

Left about 9.30am, weather quite cloudy. Had torrential rain going round Bilbao and for the first half of the journey, then the clouds slowly cleared and the sun came out for the rest of the way. Easy journey, all motorway With three separate toll charges – 7.33€/1.48€/1.70€. Filled up with diesel before the border at 1.28€ per litre – good job because it’s 1.54€ in France. Also a national tanker driver strike has just started in Spain, hope it doesn’t spread to France.

Found the site quite easily, a smaller one than usual, and managed to get one of the few larger sunny pitches. Many of the sites over here have lots of trees on them as in the height of summer everyone wants shade, but not this time of year. Spent the usual long time deciding which way round the caravan should go (Anne) because of the sun, and come on lets get on with it (George).

So here we are on the Basque Coast of France, at the foot of the Pyrenees, 2k south of Biarritz, 1k from the beach and a very short walk from the village square in the centre of Bidart. Looking forward to exploring.

We are told there is free Wi-Fi in the bar here. If you are reading this it must have worked!

On Tuesday we are flying to Essex and staying with Anne’s Mum for eight days for her 90^th birthday celebrations. Really looking forward to it. Back here on Wednesday 18^th June.