After a day of driving winds and torrential rain, we stayed the night just outside the beautiful city of Avila in Spain, at a golf resort offering a good deal. After all, who wants to play golf in those weather conditions — apart from hardy Brits perhaps!

We woke with relief to a much milder day, so we were able to enjoy the views of the city walls and the countryside, and walk the dogs in the resort’s lovely gardens.

After collecting the last of our Spanish passengers, we headed to Narbonne and stayed the night with friends. Yesterday we made our final collections in France, and expected to make good headway towards Calais. But the combination of Ascension weekend and the horrid wet and windy weather meant that the motorways were heaving with traffic, and the driving conditions were less than ideal, so we didn’t get as far as expected. Today we’ll make up as much lost time as we can, to stay on track for our Channel crossing from Calais tomorrow.

Mikas and Onda

Our friends and colleagues at Global Pet Travel in Lisbon arranged for Mikas and Onda to travel to the UK with us. Owner Ana is working as a care professional in the Gloucester area. We collected the two dogs from their grandparents in Nazaré, who gave them a very loving send-off.

Cute little Mikas… from Spain

Cute little Mikas…

 …sharing with best pal Onda from Spain

…sharing with best pal Onda

Snowball

Daniella is just finishing her Erasmus year in Madrid, before heading back to university in Edinburgh for her finals next year. While she was in Madrid, she adopted a stray cat called Snowball, who’s relocating to Scotland with her.

We popped Snowball and his carry bag into his bedroom, along with his own special blanket. A proper home from home!

Daniella's friend Enis came to help see Snowball on his way in Spain

Daniella’s friend Enis came to help see Snowball on his way

We can see why Daniella fell for him — Snowball has amazing blue eyes and very delicate markings, Spain

We can see why Daniella fell for him — Snowball has amazing blue eyes and very delicate markings

Sally’s hamster

At Sabadell in Catalonia we met up with Sally and her partner, and their gorgeous little black-and-white hamster — a late addition to our trip. We received an email in the morning asking if she could travel —fortunately, we were passing nearby that very day with a space to spare, so now she’s on her way to Wakefield.

Our littlest, last-minute passenger — very cute and alert, Spain

Our littlest, last-minute passenger — very cute and alert

Cohiba and Albisor

These two rabbits belong to Sinzy and Alex, who’re relocating from Barcelona to London for work.

As we pulled into our meeting place to collect Sally's hamster and Sinzy and Alex's rabbits, we saw that the two couples had met up and were exchanging stories about their travelling pets!, Spain

As we pulled into our meeting place to collect Sally’s hamster and Sinzy and Alex’s rabbits, we saw that the two couples had met up and were exchanging stories about their travelling pets!

Sinzy saying goodbye to her rabbits in Spain

Sinzy saying goodbye to her rabbits

Charlie and Louis

We collected this wonderful pair of dogs from James at Domaine Bégude near Limoux. Part of the family is moving back to Yorkshire so that daughter Millie can go to secondary school there.

Even on a rather bleak afternoon, the views over the vineyards at this organic domaine are stunning, France

Even on a rather bleak afternoon, the views over the vineyards at this organic domaine are stunning

James explaining the domaine's wine-making processes to us. Their biggest UK client is Majestic Wines; and Waitrose stocks their chardonnay. With the wine market becoming more global every year, they have clients as far away as Thailand and Australia.

James explaining the domaine’s wine-making processes to us. Their biggest UK client is Majestic Wines; and Waitrose stocks their chardonnay. With the wine market becoming more global every year, they have clients as far away as Thailand and Australia.

James with just a small quantity of wine in the stockroom

James with just a small quantity of wine in the stockroom

Domaine Bégude's award-winning chardonnay

Domaine Bégude’s award-winning chardonnay

Courier M making friends with both dogs in the time-honoured tradition — with a couple of tasty treats!

Courier M making friends with both dogs in the time-honoured tradition — with a couple of tasty treats!

Charlie checking out his accommodation before hopping on board

Charlie checking out his accommodation before hopping on board

Handsome black Lab Louis all settled in

Handsome black Lab Louis all settled in

Thor

The final passenger on our list was ginger tabby cat Thor from Montpellier. Owner Céline has moved to London, and Thor has been looked after by a friend of Céline’s until he could join her.

Gorgeous Thor got on board and immediately hunkered down for a nap

Gorgeous Thor got on board and immediately hunkered down for a nap

Meanwhile, reunions in the UK

While couriers J and M wend their way towards the UK, courier Mike has got there first and has already reunited his passengers from France with their owners.

Helen meets her new Peke puppy Ludo

Helen meets her new Peke puppy Ludo

Jean is delighted to have Misty back in her arms

Jean is delighted to have Misty back in her arms

Gorgeous Gloucestershire countryside for Apache and Kali to enjoy

Gorgeous Gloucestershire countryside for Apache and Kali to enjoy

Both dogs happy to be home

Both dogs happy to be home

After all that rushing about, time for both dogs to have their supper

After all that rushing about, time for both dogs to have their supper