From our own correspondent, and friend.

Hello all,

We have had a strange day here in Vichy. The plan for the day was that we would have a walk and a picnic lunch, then split up, for Tony to go to a rugby match, and for me to watch a festival of country dancing. Our walk was shorter than expected, so we walked into town for a coffee. It was completely dead. I think Sunday lunch at home must be the tradition, as people appeared later in the afternoon, and the lovely, old-fashioned children's roundabout got going.

Anyway, after our quiet coffee, Tony went to the match and I went to the dance venue, only no-one else turned up. I waited a while then went into the town centre and had a wander. I found a row of three lovely brasseries, reminiscent of Paris, and had just settled down with a drink, when the folk dancers appeared, dancing in a procession down the street. It was a really nice moment. The children were really cute, all dressed up.

I have tasted the Spa water today, so I should be healthy for a while now. While I was doing all this, Tony was enjoying the experience of being at a French rugby match. So now I'll hand you over to our own sports correspondent in France, Tony Dolan.

Stade Louis Darragon is near the river, just a short walk form the town centre. It cost 8 euros to get in and I presume it was a second team game in progress when I entered. The main game was Racing Club de Vichy against Vienne.There were about 500 people watching and the standard was pretty good. I sat in a big stand which ran all along one side of the pitch. The atmosphere was good. Lots of friends meeting, saying hello and shaking hands. It was the first home game of the season. It was an intense match between two well matched sides. As usual the ref got loads of good natured abuse each time he penalised the home side. That abuse started at the kick off when the announcer introduced the ref and said he was from Ile de France. There was some niggle and a fight early in the first half spilled off the field around the back of the stand. There were no players or ref left on the field. A man behind asked me smiling if the match had finished! The ref handled the niggle well and showed four yellow cards during the game. Vichy scored a good try early on, but were then under pressure. Vienne's stand off kicked all their goals well and they won 11 - 12. Vichy had a chance in the last minute with a penalty kick right in front of the posts, but the poor lad missed it to the dismay of the crowd. I didn't go into the bar afterwards, but I enjoyed the experience. The rugby fraternity is the same everywhere. It was a friendly and warm atmosphere.

Thank you, Tony, for that match report. It only remains for me to sign off. One more day here, we think, and then on to Orleans. Love to all.