SWMBO just phoned. She has gone to Nancy to see the family while I play cameras this weekend. She has just phoned to say her train tomorrow is cancelled. Seems the trains are playing silly buggers all the time then. Just on my way to the cellar to find some good wine.

Not as much as needed I feel. It was about 2008 when the tunnels at the circuit were 8 ft deep I seem to remember and it was as bad last weekend if not worse. Whatever, the grass must be a yard high and they won't cut it until the Monday of the race if things are as usual.

I don't think so Aricus since you'll board and there'll be a delay the other side on arrival I think, so more time on board for the full English more like. That's a complete guess by the way, but logically I can't see why they would delay the departure. Might just slow the ferry down giving more time for zzzzzzs though. The strike a week or so back knocked out three days Portsmout/Le Havre though to be on the gloomy side. Still, you should be better off than me Aricus; I'm doing Prescott on Sunday with the XKSS, take the ferry Monday and arrive of course on the 14th - strike day 

As regards the beer on board the Portsmouth/Caen, it has always been beyond my capacity to drink them dry 

Had a chat with Brittany Ferries for those interested. Next general strike Tuesday 14th and Le Have won't run. Others will have an hour or two delay. Railways have a rolling Tuesday and Wednesday strike but about 80% of Eurostar ran. It's difficult to predict just what will happen.

Just shows how optimistic that site is! Thursday was dry, the weekend showery but then supposedly my seaweed tells me that it gets better. If not those on Beausejour are advised to only bring a 4x4, wear waders and have floating tents. Last weekend we had 100 mm in three hours, or one month's worth but it carried on raining for days. Blue and MB are sandy so drain but Annexe and BSJ clay based.

I am a member of Brittany Ferries club voyage and it pays handsomely. from memory it is about £70 per annum yet you get a reduction of 30% on each trip plus free breakfasts in the restaurant. I've just booked for my daughter to come (I had added her as a member on my card for £25) and saved £120 on the one crossing. I make about five crossings a year and save £500or thereabouts.

The next general strike is the 14th June. Le Havre will be closed but Caen, Dieppe and St. Malo will suffer an hour or two of delays. Calais I know not. Also the SNCF have a rolling two day strike in operation on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

To change the subject a bit, I've only just found out that the roads are closed from early doors on Thursday instead of noon.

My garden tractor is stranded! No jerry cans allowed now. I suppose you call that the coup de grass. Currently there is a 30 euro limit on the pumps here at Le Mans, and rather than go through it all over again perhaps having a look here might be helpful.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=25&t=1596637

Ditto. Will be at the Dunlops and Indy.

Well, if the local info is anything to go by, they were using tennis balls full of flammable liquid and fuses, firing them with catapults. The loss between Mulsanne and Arnage is bad, but the other side of Mulsanne was 230 acres. No one has as yet appeared in court although it was announced in the paper in October that they had go someone. Incidentally, they are starting to replant apparently, or so it said in this week's paper.

To finish, hope the weather gets better. It is 15C and has been absolutely hissing down since yesterday evening. Hail, thunder, lightning - you name it , we've got it. I can hardly hear myself think.

A most spectacular thunderstorm as I passed today but it looked finished and all tarmacked. I'll take a photo next time if it isn't hissing down like today.

Again, like dottore I am awaiting accreditation. I'll be at Indianapolis and the Dunlop's if accepted.

Hope you have a lovely time. The test day is a week later.

Péages; I've had one for 13 years now, and it costs not a penny if you aren't using it. They charge you 2€ admin fee for the month you do use it, and I use it often - most months in fact. It is not a question of the cost but the facility of use; Instead of hanging around waiting for people to put their card in and pay you just drive up in the outside lane, stop, wait for the beep and the barrier to raise and off you go. Worth every penny, or centime as may be.

Jeanine will never sell as long as her health holds out. She is so well known, so many people pop in, Pescarolo still eats there once a week, and I reckon she'll leave in a pine box. But anyway, glad you are all aware. And as a tip, if you like Jeannine, just turn up with a nice bunch of flowers between you. She'll love you for it.

PS You believed the ACO? I mean, they said that 70,000 turned up for the 24 hour bike race 10 days ago. They were using man maths on steroids I reckon. Such beautiful weather, camping in zero temperatures, wind and rain and if you watched it on the TV as I did the stands were empty.

Pray tell me where you gained the knowledge that Jeannine has left Aux Portes du Circuit?

I had a coffee with Jeannine yesterday and she is very much in fine form and looking forward to the season.

With due respect, I hate rumours like this. Unless nipped in the bud they spread like wildfire.