My sugar levels were high all night after my truckers feast and I woke up feeling dizzy. I knew they’d go high once the insulin I injected before bed wore off and I planned to inject through the night when my dexcom high alarm woke me. Unfortunately the dexcom alarm failed, as technology does. On the plus side, I got my levemire dose bang on so had perfect sugars the rest of the day.

I was at the toll station by 5.30 am ready to catch people setting off on long journeys, but only lorries, not allowed to take passengers in France, poured through. It started pouring with rain and by 9.30 I was fed up and wondering why I didn’t just fly to Genoa. The reality was that I was stuck in this random town in the middle of France, miles from Italy.

The bus to Moulins was a consideration but then I spotted a service station 25km along the motorway. Anywhere was better than staying in Montmarault so I started the long walk.

Gravel tracks with wide views of the wooded farmland followed the road and although my backpack was heavy and uncomfortable, I remembered why I was doing this. Its travel for the sake of travel, not just a means to an end. I have time, so why not slow down and enjoy it.

A stream trickled through a small wooded valley and having not washed since leaving the UK it felt great cool off from the sun.

Wildlife spotted: lizard, bright orange slugs, deer, fox, rabbits, wood ant (that bit my foot).

I followed a deserted road past crumbling and boarded up farmhouses and arrived at the services happy but sweaty. After 10 minutes Matteo pulled over in his mini. He was driving from Orléans where he worked at the nuclear power station to his family home near Valence – perfect for me! Thanks Matteo.

Matteo dropped me at a busy services just north of Valence and I had to wait a couple of hours in the 33 degree sun before a campervan pulled over. The road was busy now and made my palms sweat, but I kept in mind that none of the drivers want to die either.

I slept in the kids playground at Mornas services after having to flee a mosquito infested field that bought back memories of a horrible night in Bordeaux. Good progress today – Genoa is getting closer!