If it wasn't for Alison I think I would have given up the idea of continuing with the expedition, what with my right leg still swelling whenever it remains idle for sometime and the Libyan visa still in limbo. And most of all the thoughts of missing the comforts of home and having to go out into the cold. But bookings had been made for the channel tunnel crossing last night and we couldn't very well stay at Hannah's forever, could we?

Anyway, this morning was not too bad as far as packing was concerned as we have had a few days to do it in. The only worrying thing remaining outstanding was the Thuraya phone that had been delivered well in time on Saturday but without the phone number given nor the sim card activated. There was frantic one hour of waiting after contacting the supplier to activate the card which was attended to immediately.

With the Thuraya activated we packed the rest of the things in Tuah and left Hannah's at 1100hrs, with mileage reading of. The weather was foul with very strong winds and heavy showers. After getting one last item, a small box with cover, at the Homebase in Aylsford we headed for Folkestone and arrived at the chnnel train loading area in good time for the 1350 train.

After lunch of Burger Kings, when called to board we headed for the immigration and was stopped by the French authorities with loads of question. I eventually had to park to the side and had to go into their offices for more questions, what my job was, if Alison was my wife, what was the registration number and make of Tuah, where was I headed for and bla..bla All these just to make sure we missed the train and had to wait another 1.5 hours fot the next one? If that is so then I agree with the English that the French are Bastards!

When we got to Calais it was almost dark and after some miles we decided it was not worth continuing to drive as I was getting tired and sleepy and stopped at a Burthane. Fortunately for us we found the Premier Class hotel just off the motorway and at 38Euros with wifi it wasn't a bad deal.