A road trip across France. We are on our way. How many miles remains unknown. We have ten days.
Our friend Thierry who has been in the hospital since the end of January, is coming to live with us. We have been by his side nearly everyday since last May. We are unsure how long he will live with us… one week, one month, one year.
Passageways are plentiful in France.
Old stone walls with archways, doors leading to hidden gardens, narrow streets with house walls alongside and overhead. As towns were built hundreds of years ago the street are wide enough for a horse and cart and sometimes large enough for a small car.
In a way we are entering a passageway. Thierry is entering a passageway too.
French Husband has an elderly Uncle who is not well, he lives in Vichy, we have been wanting to visit him. After Vichy we will head towards Paris then Rennes where we have some work to tend to. We decided it was best to take these ten days before Thierry's coming to live with us, and tend to personal matters.
French Husband will drive, since I fall asleep at the wheel. Hopefully, I will stay awake most of the time…
The National 7 was (is) a major road connecting the north of France to the south. It is almost as famous as the iconic Route 66. The National 7 is less traveled due to the Autoroute (Also known as l'autoroute du Soleil = The Road to the Sun .) that enables a faster, more convenient way to travel from north to south.
Neverthess, we have decided to take the Departmental Roads, which are like smalls veins zig zagging throughout France. With no plan other than to spend time in Vichy visiting French Husband's Uncle, a meeting in Paris, and a few meetings in Rennes we are on our way.
As usual we will find our way as the day unfolds. Though I must say the first night we plan to stay with French Husband's Uncle and Aunt, and at least one night camping in our apartment in Paris, we have an air mattress and two sleeping bags for that glorious night.
Thierry is physically well. His body has recovered. We do not know where tomorrow will lead us, though we are going to walk the path together, one step at a time. Hoping that each day brings healing and a better understanding of this crippling illness called Bipolar.
It is odd not to have Thierry with us.
When you carry someone for over a year it is hard to let go and enjoy yourself. As we travel along we have him in our thoughts, call and send him messages, but it feels odd not to see him. Yet at the same time the extra space is needed to let our thoughts unwind.
Hopefully as we travel throughout France I will take photos of other things rather than just brocantes, and buildings… but I cannot promise anything. I have not plans to visit antique shops, nor hit a brocante… with that said I know my drug for the brocante is strong.
I will add adresses as we go, such as where we had our meals, and where we stayed.
Hopefully you will enjoy the journey.
Thankfully we have a GPS, as following a map is not French Husband's strong point and I am useless as I go in and out of sleep. The GPS will be our faithful friend as we head north.
I have been and will continue to post photos on Facebook. If you would like to follow me on Facebook, add me as a friend to tag along.
Thank you for your faithful caring concern for our friend Thierry, he is most grateful for your prayers and notes.
Other bloggers adventures traveling the backroads through France: Follow Gavin.
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