I have spent the past hour double-checking the count - five beers and three glasses of Muscadet.

I stay tonight at Camping Du Migron, 30km west of Nantes.

I became woke this morning at a lock gate near Blain. I had had a terror in the night where I heard (imagined?) a large creature was dozing against the tent and pressing against the tent. I have had this before - I must attract beastly behaviour. I survived.

I was suprised to find on leaving that a lock keeper was in attendance. He had a deep tan, haiiry and burley arms and a string vest, Apparently it takes a lot of effort to press the button to open the electro-mechanical lock gates,

Later I enjoyed the part deux of the gut busting sandwich whilst stitting in the Jardin Botanique in Naates.

Heading out I had an easy 33km to Camping du Migron. However it turned out to be 10km of very heavy hill climbing followed by the flattest 22km you could ever have - under a hot sun.

Tomorrow I see the Atlantic.