We've finally made it back to what you could call a normal life...living in a country cottage, close to a lively little village with the prospect of a few hazy summer days in Provence!!
France has been amazing, with its boulangeries and boucheries characteristic of all towns and villages along the way. I miss the anticipation of a new place in the distance with the appearance of a steeple on the horizon, typical of the north. The steeples have gradually disappeared as we've travelled further south and replaced by square towers with fancy ironwork on the top, usually with a town clock incorporated. All the planned destinations haven't disappointed, La Rochelle, St Maries De La Mer, Arles and now Saturnan Les Apt all been worth the mileage!
I plan to make the most of the week in Provence painting and selling my ever increasing gallery...too heavy to drag up to the top of the Alps! I've enjoyed the buzz from painting on the street and beach, and tried my best to communicate with those interested in my work. Most are interested in what we are doing and I'm sure are following us on the blog 'bonjour mes amis!'...Didiya, maybe an exception, living on the streets of Bordeaux, full of strong opinions of my work and its presentation, he criticised me for the square format by asking if I'd heard of the 'golden rectangle'!...I asked if he'd heard of the 'magic square!'..which didn't seem to impress him much...he then went on to try to sell some of his work to my passers by. He taught me not to be too friendly to street living winos!! Much more helpful the Spanish guy in St Marie de la Mer, he'd struggled to make a living fifteen years earlier after arriving in the town with nothing, but through getting to know the locals had established himself in his street business...his advice was that the police are always right, move on when they ask, but set up again around the corner!! I'm going to go to the local Marie and book a spot at the market in Provence.
The journey has exceeded all expectations, I've got a decent suntan, working on the six-pack but could do with bulking up a bit...probably not much more than ten stone, but feel a lot healthier. Looking forward to finding a base in the Alps...must have set up the tent about fifty times so far..and I won't miss the mozzies...it'll be good to have a new routine based around skiing...then we plan to fly back home to see family and friends. We talk about future plans of what we could do and where we may go, but we don't have anything set in stone...and I like it that way, more exciting and opportunist.
Its mid afternoon here...had a nice salad for dinner..listening to 'Paris After Midnight' tape..most of the music on the radio is 1980's...maybe have a cool beer and sit and paint for a couple of hours..hard life, but someone's got to do it.
Do I miss work?!..spoken to a couple of teachers on the way and I could see them stressing about the new term start. I liked the idea of work and the people there, but not the all consuming, planning and thinking ahead, aspect of it...not sure what I'm doing tomorrow...but that's fine!
Do I miss home?...Tuesday nights out and cycling with my bro's, cups of tea at mum's and going down to the Stone Well Tavern to listen to my dad play jazz piano...but don't miss the weather!
Had a great week with the kids, not sure if they'll have got over it yet!, and now I've turned fifty, look forward to whatever happens next, with the new life, travelling with Kath and searching for paradise!
By the way, the paintings are for sale, £50 including postage, so if you've seen something that you're interested in, drop me a line and maybe YOU could own a part of the story and help me get round the world...and stop me from losing any more weight...I treat myself to a roast chicken every time I sell a painting!! Contact me on davidjfrench@yahoo.co.UK
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