Here we go again. We’re off to France this time. And we’re taking the car, which means there’ll be more room for my stuff… and air conditioning, nice. It was a very busy time getting ready to go and I had no time to warn you. So get your French phrase book, your map of continental Europe, your access to coffee and croissants and we’ll begin.

(No, couldn’t get the webcam to work so here’s an old photo of a different boat trip…)

We haven’t actually reached France yet though, we’re still in Ireland, in Wexford, well, in a boat floating beside a bit of Co. Wexford to be precise. And we’ve found a WiFi hotspot so there might be a blog today. Unfortunately I’ve forgotten the routine and have no photographs but there might be a way to use the camera on my laptop to get a fly on the wall view of our spot on the boat. We’ll see.

(… and here’s a different boat entirely…)

For now the plan is to have a nice quiet, calm crossing to Roscoff. Then to have a nice calm drive to the Véndee, possibly stopping along the way for some nice lunch and to collect some nice dinner supplies. This “holiday” will be different. First of all we’ll both be working (well, I intend to take the weekends off, not sure about Denis). Secondly, we’ll be staying in one place the whole time (except for little trips at weekends). Thirdly, we’ll be doing more cooking and more walking. And finally I’ll be making stuff – more on that soon.

(…and here’s Venice because it’s so lovely…. and it’s on water too….)

We’re also staying longer and I intend to take the opportunity to brush up on my French. If you’re a regular reader you’ll no doubt be aware of my difficulties – lingually. I blame the educational system… and the compulsory Irish…. and my delicate disposition… and the fact that other languages are nothing like English. I’ve been thinking that when I’m proficient (like next week)  I might even try out a completely French blog post here. Don’t worry if you can’t read French, I’ll also provide a translation, which might also be useful for those who can read French.

(…our boat is a little smaller than that one)

And so we begin, bon nuit, Mairead