Have been through an area of poor internet availabity and also very short on power, needed for map.

Topsy main concern. Have made shoes out of 2€ pink booties and are falling apart after 2 days. Problem is in keeping them on and I am becoming a  expert on French tapes. Have even tried duck tape!

Once secured they do help but she still likes a soft surface such as through woods, then goes well.

The woods round Bezè give views to North and South and looks as if in for a few hills.

Massive fields round here, stretching as far as the eye can see and reminiscent of the Canadian Plains.

Topsy was slowing down and choosing the soft parts of the paths. It was hot and I stopped to fill up with water at a farm at Buffageasse. No one around except a combine reaping sunflowers in one of these huge fields opposire. With 4.5 litres of water on board and sufficient food, I was now prepared to spend two days in relative isolation crossing a forest.

It was crunch tome as to whether to go on or not. Sat by a bus-stop I knew I could not put Topsy through it.

The rest of the day is described in tomorrow’s diary (Sept 5), as it was an emotional time kept barely under wraps, and I really wasn’t up to writing a diary at that time.