In the morning, we collected the van from the secure parking area and then drove back to Kuno’s to pack our personal bags and bicycle. It was a snug fit, although there was plenty of space towards the roof in the back half of the van.

We then drove out to Mutti’s to have a final brunch with her before leaving Bern this time around. We left Rita’s two childhood dolls snuggled up together safeguarding her bed for when she next visits with Mutti.

We then commenced the drive home, although we would be stopping near Valance overnight. Since we were bringing a load of furniture from Switzerland to France, Rita had enquired about any Customs regulations, and was told that we would need to obtain a customs clearance and to have the load checked at the border. She had been in touch with a customs clearance company who would do the paperwork for us and give us a certificate to present to the border officials on entry to France. They gave her directions to get to their office which was located "right at the border crossing point in the two storey building on the right”. So as we approached the border we stayed in the right lane looking out for the two story building, which we duly saw. However, there was no entrance to the parking area in front of the building, apart from the truck entrance about 100 metres back from the border (which we had now gone past). So we just kept driving slowly looking for another entrance and before we realised it, we were in France, having not being stopped by any border officials along the way (perhaps they were also on strike!). So we just kept driving, having saved a couple of hundred euros in customs fees.

On the drive along the tolled Motorway in France, we passed many rest areas (aires) and finally pulled into one for lunch. In Australia, rest areas are often put at the least attractive spots along the road, but in France many/most of them are at locations of scenic value, and this one was no different, which a great view of the mountains.

After about 5 hours driving, we approached Valance and so we pulled off the motorway to find our hotel for the night at Saint Paul les Romans, where we would be meeting up with Nico and Miyu (and Massa). A few hours later, Miyu (and Massa) met us at the hotel and drove to nearby Romans, where we then met up with Nico who came straight from work. It was great catching up with them again, and we conversed as if we had only seen each other last week (Facebook is great for keeping in touch across the globe).