Karon spent the first half of the year recovering from a lengthy stay in hospital after her immune system went into overdrive, so no holidays or trips were planned. By June she felt well enough to travel so we planned on taking The Beast to France (and Switzerland) in September – once the schools had gone back.

We took the Chunnel to Calais but stayed overnight near the terminal this side at The Marquis at Alkham  so we didn’t have to rush for our morning train. Once out of Calais, we headed South, stopping in each place for at least two nights so we could get a ride in.