Arriving at the Dartford crossing en route to Dover I was pleased to see that there were no toll booths but this was not indicative as I first thought of an absence of tolls. As I crossed the bridge I saw a big notice - DART CHARGE FIND US ONLINE and a couple of hundred yards later PAY BY MIDNIGHT TOMORROW.

So I stopped for a coffee and found them plus newspaper articles about how much dosh had been collected in fines from motorists for non payment in the short time this new number plate recognition has been in operation.

I didn't want to join their ranks so rang up and paid for the crossing and my return trip later this month. But how would I have fared without a smartphone and a coffee shop with WiFi?

The somewhat longer crossing to Dunkirk passed pleasantly and there was no sign of the rain that had followed me down from Edinburgh and I haven't seen any since.

On the contrary France is experiencing a heatwave. I've slugged down lots of water and smeared on factor 50 on the golfing outings that I've already had with chums from my summers spent at Barbansais to keep me safe and it seems to be working. It's not doing a lot for my game but I had a nice couple of pars this morning and some beautiful putts so I'm not discontent.