I left blighty on the 31st October and drove down to Portsmouth with a car packed full, a nervous dog who hates car journeys and a racing bike strapped sturdily onto a bike rack.

It was an emotional send off as I my son waved me goodbye and my husband gave me a cuddle and wished me good luck from the safety of our apartment.

I also don’t enjoy driving anymore so this huge journey ahead of me was daunting to say the least.

Stayed in a wonderful air b and b and felt very at home and slept well fortunately as a I had an early ferry crossing the following morning.

I arrived at the ferry bright and early to be told that the particular ferry does not allow dogs in the cabins ( booked a cabin especially) and she would need to stay in the car in the hold for the 6 hour crossing… That was not going to happen , poor little thing would have been beside herself. Managed to book onto a ferry that went 6 hours later but would mean I would arrive in France in the dark. I hate driving in the dark. Not the best start to my travels but onward and upwards.

Called my lovely air b and b host and asked if I could go and chill out there until the ferry left,she kindly said yes ( must leave her a review…just remembered!) After cancelling some previous bookings for b and b in France I was sorted and when arriving would only have to drive for 11k in the dark for my second air and b …phew…It was however THE strangest journey ever. IN the middle of the countryside just outside Caen we didn’t pass one single car.

Got to my tiny house and wish I’d had wine , gee I needed it! but didn’t want to open a bottle from the car that was for my friends. Probably a good job I didn’t , I had to get up these stairs with doglet!

Next day was fair and I set off on the next leg of my journey to the Dordogne/ Charente to visit my lovely friend Sara. Should be there in 5 hours….Gave Pammie a Xanax to keep her anxiety low and off we jolly well went.

I had purchased a fantastic little device so that you don’t need to take a ticket at the tolls, you just have to drive up and the device will be recognised and the bill is automatic. I so hoped it would work smoothly. It did xx

The device is called The Emovis Tag.

Sara is an old school friend who has lived in France for over 20 years. We get on very well and I spent some time with her about 18 months ago. She likes to feed me and look after me and we sit and chat about life and drink the local plonk and have a good giggle. She really is a tonic. Her and her boyfriend are busy getting their gorgeous BoHo Chic Gites ready for next years season.

I stayed for 3 nights and got more relaxed and a bit stronger by the day. Real fires helped too.

If you would like to see Sar’s gorgeus place click here

My next blog will be about the next leg of my journey , do come back to read more soon.