I had a day off paddling in Nice, mostly spent thinking things through. I met Virginie and the manager of the watersports centre who gave me coffee, food and a bed in the centre for the night. Also, a clean T-shirt, which I took as a hint that mine probably stinks! Many thanks for looking after me.

The next morning I woke at 6 am and packed up while it was still cool and dark. The sun was rising as I left Nice, and I’d majorly overdressed so had to stop and delayer.

It wasn’t long before I was in Monaco, the second smallest country in the world. I paddled around the harbour, full of huge superyachts, surprised the police didn’t tell me off. Perhaps a sleek surfski is the kind of toy that sits on a superyacht. Less so the scraggly beard and salt coated clothes. I left my boat at a very smart sailing club and had a shower in the fanciest changing rooms ever.

Everything in Monaco is glitzy and glamorous, even the bins are chrome! I walked up to the casinos of Monte Carlo, supercars roaring through the streets and into the tunnels. I hoped I’d bump in to Chris Froome, but if I did rub shoulders with any famous people, I had no clue who they were.

On my way out of Monaco, I paddled up to Dilbar, the biggest yacht in the world, to say hello. I was quickly identified as a threat and a bunch of security guards rushed out and shouted at me to get away. Any hopes of staying the night were shattered.

The wind had picked up and I battled into a headwind to cross the border into Italy. This was an unceremonious affair and I passed through unnoticed. I decided to save my energy for another day, so came into Cala Del Forte, a big marina by the town of Ventimiglia.

There was some kind of event going on which I guessed was the opening ceremony for the brand new marina. I washed in a pristine shower and then joined the party. Live music, delicious pissaladière, pasta, arancini – what a welcome to Italy! I got talking to Orazio and then met Federico, who laughed and explained that they’d done a sailing race today and this was the after-race party. I don’t think anyone minded me gate-crashing!

In fact, I was introduced to the rest of Federico’s crew – Raffaella, Ale and Daniele – and invited to stay on their yacht, Aspra, for the night. Thank you so much guys, it was great fun!