Harry explains that yesterday was a bank holiday and so is tomorrow. But not today? I ask. No says Harry, but they call a normal day like today sandwiched between two bank holidays 'the bridge' and there is a marked tendency in rural France for it to be indistinguishable from the holiday days either side. You have to admire the logic. Well the day starts bright and warm. After a few days on the road I'm a bit slow getting out of my pit. Added to that the bike is showing signs of needing some attention, - peformance down, fuel consumption up and the engine doesn't want to idle.

The morning wears on as I work on the bike without much improvement. When I finally call a halt to the tinkering and go out to fuel up I can't find a garage that's open.

Returning to base, Harry explains that yesterday was a bank holiday and so is tomorrow. But not today? I ask. No says Harry, but they call a normal day like today sandwiched between two bank holidays 'the bridge' and there is a marked tendency in rural France for it to be indistinguishable from the holiday days either side. You have to admire the logic.

Harry clowns for the camera

So when one of my new found friends - a chopper rider on an extended visit to france of some 5 years offers me a beer while I work, the decision gets made. Today will be 'the bridge' for me too. A days rest is called for, and by God I'll have it even if it means a marathon trip to London tomorrow.

Lurking at Harry's

And so the day wears on, people come and go during the day and residents for the night begin turning up, the beers go down well and in the evening a four course meal is prepared by some local ex-pat ladies and washed down with suitable beverages. What a great , relaxing sunny day of rest amongst new found friends.

I retire, bushed, to sleep around 11 but the party rocks on till the small hours. Around midnite I hear one of the Yamaha's fired up, rolled into the bar area where the Kiwi owner performs a bunch of doughnuts to universal acclaim, filling the entire ex-stable with acrid burning rubber-smoke. It's all in the best possible taste.