France beat England yesterday, rather thoroughly, thus redeeming the weekend somewhat for me and Alexander, and miring poor Rachel and her family, no doubt, even deeper in the Slough of Despond. At the moment of writing, it looks as if the England cricket team will lose a test match in India today, too.

Maureen, it’s always fun when the Welsh come up for the rugby. They come days in advance, the whole nation, with their grandmothers and their babies in pushchairs, and fill all the B&B’s, as you discovered.

We’re off to London this morning, returning on Saturday. Blogging should resume on Sunday.

I finished row 66 of the Princess border last night – the pre-determined cut-off point. I’ll photograph it when we get back. This morning must be devoted to train-catching.