From the television coverage, this afternoon, it looks like a beautiful day in the Loire Valley. Just under an hour ago, now, a large number of particularly fast four-wheeled machines started speeding their way around one of the greatest and most celebrated circuits in the world: Le Mans.

Twelve short months ago, I was there watching the famous 24-hour race with some of my friends and family. Watching the start of today’s race from the sofa convinced me that I shall be there again next year. It’s a bug, I tell you. Once you have been there once and experienced the wonders of watching some of the World’s finest drivers doing battle on the track in the glorious beasts that compete at Le Mans, you just have to go back for more. It’s not just the race, though, dear reader. Oh no! The whole ambience of Le Mans is indescribable. Hundreds and hundreds of motorsports enthusiasts all gathered together, ogling each others’ cars. Egging drivers to do burn-outs in their cars as they pass by. And just general good spirit. Oh yes! I shall return.

Today, though, I have been setting up webcams and microphones to facilitate transatlantic marital communications over the forty-something days and nights ahead.

Tomorrow, as Mrs Johns is curled up on the aeroplane with a good book, I shall be curled up on the sofa watching the end of the aforementioned endurance race, followed by the Canadian Grand Prix.

Meep meep.