The post will be brief tonight, because we are having technical problems with Basil. The engine does not seem to be charging the battery as we travel and consequently we are running out of 12v electricity. We have found a Hymer dealer in Reims and we will give them a try tomorrow.

A text from and phonemail with my brother Joe last night has led to a change of plan. Joe has put his back out and can barely walk. So rather than meet up with him in Mons, we agreed it would be better for him to seek a chiropractor. He is supposed to travelling to England tomorrow.

As a result we reset our course to the Champagne region of France.  The drive was through continuous miserable drizzle and light rain. We could have been in Manchester!!

The gently rolling hills of northern France are not that appealing at the best of times, but in this weather we could hardly see anything.

We spent the whole day travelling arriving at 5pm in the little village of Mareuil-sur-Ay. It is in the heart of the champagne producing region and we were hoping for a tasting, but everything seems to be closed at this time of year. Or maybe we were too late in the day.

Basil is sitting in another lovely free aire (49.045285, 4.034946), right next to a canal. The village have even provided free wifi, but unfortunately no electricity at this time of year. It is one thing we can do with.

I will leave you with a few photos of the village. For the photographers amongst you I was shooting at iso 2500. That is how dull the day is!!!