I have survived the second leg of my UK tour for Guardian travel. The tour was billed as a time to meet people who do interesting things. And I certainly have done that, but I've also been challenged: the first time by plunging into icy waters in Penzance in February and, now, by flying in a gyroplane...

Heading for a spa? There are some things you need to avoid says Susan d'Arcy, travel writer and spa expert for The Sunday Times.

Everywhere has a spa these days but treatments are expensive so choose wisely by which I advise that you avoid the following:

Life as the Sawday's office pig was good, but the countryside proper is luvverly (but don't tell Mum or anybody at Sawday's)...

I’ve never felt so comfy. I’ve got a whole corner of a lush green field at Kate's Farm all to meself with views. But the best thing, the most nicest thing a pig could have, is Kate. She knows just the sort of thing I like, where to scratch behind my ears, on my tummy and on the inside of my back leg and under my chin. Even better she knows I hate having to get up!

Kate comes to me, just like Mum used to do, and most times she brings me a treat too. Here’s a picture of her feeding me some carrots while I have a doze in the spring sunshine.

How do you define stoicism? Is it 'putting up with agony' for any reason? What if the stoic is mad or feels no pain while doing what for others would be immeasurably brave?

Alastair emerging post-swim

Well, I now consider myself a Serious Stoic. Watch the video on the Guardian travel website and let me know if you agree.

I was in Cornwall for the first leg of a UK tour for the Guardian meeting people who do interesting things. I  plunged in my (mostly) bare flesh into the February sea in the company of a handful of far madder Stoics who do this sort of thing every day.

More news from Kerry O'Neill, our newest inspector, who is working her way around Ireland for us in a be-flowered campervan... Once she found Lawcus Farm she wasn't at all sure she would ever want to leave... Read her own breezy blog posts.

Sheffield, sadly, has no Sawday places in its city centre so, bereft of all the usual input he gets from our owners when in a place he doesn't know, he sends this missive...

Yesterday we brought you the first instalment of Géraldine and Ann's icy inspection tour of France. Here in Part 2 they head for Cahors, and a truffle market...

Monday morning

Cahors' garden under a blanket of snow

Snow scuppers our plans again... we can't get to the Manoir de Malagorse, who had very kindly agreed to give us coffee and show us round their wintry house. They are renowned for their willingness to go the extra mile but even they cannot make their road accessible for run-of-the-mill cars today.

We try but we can't get up the lane to Mas Baronet where we are booked to spend the night. Such a shame, Pat and Rob are really good company. But not so bad a thing: the bottle of wine we were taking for them turned to ice in the car last night and popped its cork.

Our newest French Châteaux & Hotels book is published today. Leafing through the 380 dreamy places, you'd never guess the herculean efforts that go into checking they all deserve their place. 

Géraldine Roul and Ann Cooke-Yarborough, devoted Sawday's servants both, set off to visit properties and meet owners and inspectors. The only problem was, they ran into snow. Lots of it. They take up the story...

Sunday morning