We finally got away this morning, and despite a frozen neck (caused by sleeping in different beds every night) and the driving rain, I felt quite optimistic about the journey ahead. We said our goodbyes to the Irish, and the reception staff who now referred to me as Mr Bean. I even had time to berate Korker for calling me celabataire. She told me that it didn’t mean celibate it meant bachelor. She then gave me a little peck on the cheek that made me feel like a schoolboy. Just for good measure I trod on the tail of the camp site dog and then we were away.

We set off and made fantastic progress on the clear toll roads. Someone had

told me that the French police could not be arsed to nick English because of the paperwork so I put my foot down and ate up the miles listening to loud music to keep me on my toes…..then all of a sudden Nee Naaw Nee Naaw………………shit I was doing 105 mph……not good!!!!

“Bonjour Monsieur……tres rapide”. All of a sudden my basic French had gone, bloody hell would I

have to ring Jo again to get her to explain I had left all my details at home on my desk!

The copper explained it was 45 euros fine but they would not take a card……cash only. I had 20 euros on me. They escorted us off the road and through a barrier and in to a field. Was this to be “Le Speciale Kicking”. The road through the field took us through another barrier then to E Leclerc supermarche where they escorted me to the cashpoint. I worked out that they would take the cash pocket it and let me go, so I got 50 euros out (Cashpoint couldn’t do 45) and gave it to him with a nod and a wink. He looked at me as if though I had offered him 100 grams of cocaine and sent me back to the shop to get the right money while he wrote out my reciept! This was no bent copper! I handed over the money and he escorted us back to the motorway. Playing on stereo was The Clash song I fought the law and the law won. They certainly had.

We arrived at Le Mans behind schedule and George gave me the following bit of advice. “Dad….. speeding only works if you dont get caught.” He is such a lovely boy.