A good 700km drive home yesterday - it took me four-and-a-half hours to get to Dunkirk - but then autobahn all the way - and instead of catching the 2000 ferry I had cautiously booked, I squeezed on to the 1600 sailing to Dover and three hours or so to home. The channel crossing was smooth and comfortable - but as usual there were some fellow passengers who decided that every minor ripple was a good excuse for throwing up. "Go by train dear!"

The car was packed to the gunnels with kit returning home - as I only have two further days at Muckermannweg 8 on my return from leave. Today will be spent unpacking the car and getting the majority of the gear stowed away in the loft for another day.