Cycling round world with little hiccough when using public transport

3rd July D day!!!!! All going smoothly, bikes and god knows how many bags safely onto the virgin train at Lancaster that usually stops for 2-3 minutes, helped by Harry, and 3 midwives!!! Then nothing. Train not moving, connection in jeopardy at the other end, the most military precisioned plans going out of the window, the ferry sailing into the English channel without us, alternatives going to cost us a fortune, not leaving Lancaster, homeless with other people living in our homes, big issue selling becoming a reality (no idea why people think I am dramatic-this is obviously Kath now on the blog case) Frantic texts to Harry who ascertained loads of connecting trains, literally every 10-15 mins just needed to be on one by 20.00 (2pm at this point) so relaxed a tad. Then 2 hours later after a change onto a later train, not sure where the original one went on the blocked line? and we were off. Woo oo. Then relatively (if cycling through London in rush hour can be called painless) painless journey made nicely in time to board our first ever overnight ferry and a well deserved pint or 4!!! (bad idea that)

Start of the big trip around the world...on bike

Finally set off and safely in France...here's a few pictures of the journey to Caen France

I'll let Kath continue with the story...she's good at talking in French and English!!!

Throwing a party and dropping the uncle!

The leaving party developed and moved into the the smallest kitchen in the world...where else!? The game started with me as the person everyone wanted to throw in the air...never seen the kitchen ceiling so close up before. My throwing went without any hitches but my brother John didn't land quite so softly. Funny though!!

Had a great time and it worked as the ultimate party garden with decking and bunker bar below. Luckily Nat's boyfriend Dave, got hold of a great canopy because the weather was a bit wet and windy.

evening. 

Everyone had a great time with food and drink on demand throughout the evening. Twelve midnight was the time to call time and everyone moved on to the next party, at Dave's down the road!!

VW Camper off road

The camper is now off road after failing its MOT....thought I'd get the last two weeks before we set off but couldn't get it sorted in time. She's parked up at Kath's mother's house and I may decide to sell when we fly back in October.

The house is looking very sparse now, with all the furniture gone and our bed  down at my daughter's in London...we're sleeping on the floor...on a mattress! Cut the couch in half to get it to the tip last week so all we've got is a borrowed bean bag and fisherman's chair.

Party at the weekend looks a bit iffy with the worst weather forecast that we could have asked for.
Desperate to go now....roll on 3rd of July!!

Just finished a commissioned painting that I picked up from the prom art fair in Morecambe. She was very happy with the painting which was a gift for her sister who had just adopted her son after 4 years of fostering...very nice people...hope she likes it!

Trying out the new tent

Planned to go camping near Silverdale, but the weather turned a bit cooler (fairweathercampers)! So we thought we'd have a go at putting the tent up in the garden.

Went up pretty quickly and packs away quite compactly so think it'll do us for the trip!

Looks good behind the potatoes.

Sold a few paintings recently and got my work in another gallery (St Anne's) Looking to get in a couple more galleries before we set off. Work is available as reproductions, at this linkhttp://society6.com/DavidFrenchArt

Sunny Morecambe...and Morecambe and Wise

http://society6.com/DavidFrenchArt/Eric-LGC_Print

It's been another sunny day in Morecambe...and Lancaster!

What a scorcher!

Working on the latest commission after a successful day at the Morecambe Prom Art Fair last week. Working outside seems like the only option in this weather and I'll have to get use to it because that's the only option when we start travelling.

Also exhibiting in a new gallery in St Anne's www.fineartandframes.co.uk.  
Walked into the gallery with some originals...and came out with some cash...bodes well for France, because that's the way it's going to work if we want the odd night in a hotel along the way. She also took some framed paintings on the usual 'sale or return' basis.

Only 26 days to setting off on the trip, but we have to prepare for the party before that. Fingers crossed, the weather will be fine because living in the smallest house in the world, it could get a bit claustrophobic for everyone if it rains. The plan is to party in the garden with the pizza oven and barbecue areas (not built yet) as the main focal points. We're starting early to accommodate the kids and elderly relatives but I think it will soon develop into the usual beer fest finishing in the early hours.

Plan to try out the new tent on Monday with a trip out on the bikes. We'll be fully loaded up with panniers, camping gear and easel to see how things work. Probably head up to Silverdale, which is about 15 miles further up the coast, and do a quick painting of the beach and local scenery while we're there. The tent hasn't come out of the wrapper yet so hope it's ok...not too late to get a new one!