If I was in La Rochelle... It's 8.30am. After going hard last night (nothing new there) I feel a bit ropey but it's nothing I can't handle so we get dressed and head down for breakfast. Oh for a cup of PG Tips! French tea is like pee. After breakfast at the hotel it's time for a

quick bag check before leaving the hotel. Ticket,flags for swapping , purse - , phone . 10am - A walk round the food market to test the senses; if you can handle the smells of fish and cheese then you'll be safe for the rest of the day! Down to the harbour for a walk...

along the wall, enjoying the sea breeze. It's hard to keep walking as the bars and restaurants are populated by Sale Sharks supporters having something to eat and a cold lager or two or a glass (several) of wine. I remind them it's a marathon, not a sprint but I think a few are

already too late for that advice.
12pm - We stop and have some lunch then head towards General Humbert's Irish Pub. A quick stop at La Cave de la Guignette for a couple of glasses of their fruit wine then into The Humbert to catch up with everyone. Jerome is there and I give him

...the Yorkie bars I've brought over for him. There are a lot of tender heads and throbbing livers but that won't stop us!