Woke at 0400, loaded his already heavily ladened BMW with his remaining items and kissed his darling wife farewell whilst she still slept.

Thomas immediately encountered problems and had to manually open the usually automatic exit gate from the under ground car park. He suspected the motor had burned out.

Hampton was grim and he prayed for a rain free ride along the boring, direct motorway to Portsmouth. On arrival at the port, Thomas befriended a fellow biker, who, unbeknowing to them both would meet up later in the day.

The wind was strong and a rough ferry crossing to Cherbourg was anticipated. Surely enough, the fast ferry rolled and dipped across the waves. Once the ferry left the bay, it seemed to reduce knotts. Thomas noticed lots of pale faces as no one dared to leave there seats in fear of falling. The shuddering duty free shop should of been off limits due to the crashing of boxes and smashing of glass.

1130 French time, the ferry docked in the Military port of Cherbourg. Thomas departed a bit worse for wear and programmed his Tom Tom to take the most direct route but avoiding tolls and motorways to Couhe near Poiters. he found the long. straight dual carriageways a bore and soon took to the back lanes after approx. 200 miles.

On his first fuel stop, hunger set in as required a much needed energy boost and opted for cakes and coffee. A familiar face then entered the service station, it was the bloke he met on board the ferry. they continued their journey together until evenyually veering off in different directions.

After the 542 miles, Thomas was glad to locate his first campsite with no problems. The site was not fully open but had a beautiful setting with a slow flowing river running through the middle.

Whilst pitching his riverside tent, a Northampton biking group arrived and piched opposite. They shared routes, reputable campsites and good roads along the way. After whispering amongst themselves, the bikers then asked ‘Are you that Gas Emergency Biker off TV?’ Thomas proudly announced he was then found the conversation became distant. was it really that bad he thought to himself.

Later that evening the bikers invited Thomas to join them for a beer, he politely declined as he had to locate some food as the campsite restaurant was closed. it was a long day and Thomas was asleep bt 2130.