Friday 23rd August, set off late afternoon in brilliant sunshine.  Arrived at Combourg about 7.30p.m. only one other chum was there. Rained during the night- here we go again, I hate painting in the rain.
Saturday, signed on and then set up.  After I had roughly pencilled in something, it started to rain.  I covered my stuff up, but it was just too much.  Grabbed everything and went to the van.  Bit difficult to work inside as there just isn't enough room.

Well here is the effort.  I decided to make it nice and bright, but I had lost interest after it rained.  Anyway, evening we moved off to Bazouges la Perouse (not too far away) and guess what, it rained in the night.  Not only that, it was still raining at sign on time.  I was in two minds about quitting.  It eased off, so decided to have a go.  A bit difficult, as it was still very overcast and likely to rain again.  Chose the old school playground, but just as I set up, it rained again.  Moved to a sheltered spot in the playground, but it meant my view was very, very limited.  Worked from here and managed to finish something. 

This is the view from my shelter of the old school and playground.

Here is my version.  Got runner up, so didn't feel too bad in the end.

This was taken Monday.  Boat is now weighed and labelled, ready to go.  Herta the Hymer keeping her company for a her last few days here.

We set off for Lermot on thursday 8th and had a night on the coast.  Very nice, except we discovered on Friday a problem with the Van's fridge.  This meant we had to zoom off to Quintin just after lunch on Friday 9th, and go into a campsite to sort things out.

Lovely picture of the van in the campsite.  Perry manage to sort the fridge out - thank goodness.

Signed on on Saturday, and off I go.  It was a bit fresh to start with and then got very hot - too hot in fact.

This is what I managed.  As soon as the prize giving was over, we set off for Ducey to meet up with Pierre for his painting day.  Turns out Daniel Giffard and Theo were there as well.  They banged on our van at 11.00 p.m. to make sure we would be ready for painting the next day!  Sunday was a good painting day, except I forgot to take a picture.  The paintings are submitted and then put up for auction a week later. Sunday evening we set off for Hirel near Vivier sur Met (Baie de Mont St Michel).  Stayed there for three days because it was lovely and hot.  Unfortunately, on the last day, Bertie developed an upset tummy.  Left on Wednesay 14th for Jugon les Lac.  Bertie woke me up in the night, again with his upset tummy.  So I walked him round at 3.00 a.m. and boy is Jugon dark at night! Not a street lamp, nothing.  We had to walk in the middle of the road to make sure we didn't bump into anything.

Thursday 15th - found a nice spot in a little park.  There were loads of ducks, so I made an attempt.  Fortunately I had finished drawing them before they flew off.  Got runner up.  Bertie still had an upset tummy. Moved on to Lanfains for the evening.  Friday 16th set off for L'Etang Neuf (stupid name for a place). Obviously by a lake, but it is also where a museum for the Resistance is located.  Unfortunately, didn't appear to be much to paint. 

View of l'Etang Neuf.  Fortunately the painting included the village of St Connan, so after sign on, moved on to St Connan.

Bertie having a good sniff round. Unfortunately, still with upset tummy.

St Connan - just to give some idea of people peinting just about everywhere.

Me having a go at something!

This is what it should look like!

How about that for concentration.

And here's my effort! Very hot all day.  After the prize giving we went back to Hirel, managed to have take away Moules and Chips (lovely), but Bertie still had an upset tummy.  Took him to the vet on Monday, and after parting with 50 euros, two injects and loads of medicine, it appears he probably ate some garbage.....what a dog.  He is now much better. 

Well here it is, the BIRTHDAY SPECIAL EDITION BLOG - Happy birthday Perry.  And what did we get for our birthday?

Herta the Hymer - a new camper van (or Motor Home in English).  And are we pleased????

With a nice new bed

Nice seating at a table which extends

Lovely blue upholstery

and a lovely big sink for washing up

What's this? A TV over the bed!

And a TV in the living area! What luxury!

And a garage, where you can put your bike and tools

and leave the dog outside (poor thing).  Doesn't she look lovely. Forgot to say, we've moved to an integrale (or coash buillt in English) van.  Is that a fixed satellite dish I see on top?  No longer having to scramble on top of the bed to manually fix it.

Perfect. The Starship Bavaria has moved on to pastures new, and we have now got Herta the Hymer ready to start a whole new series of adventures.

And there was some painting as well.  Saturday was at Guemene sur Scorff, where I did a drawing, and spoke to most of the inhabitants.

Sunday at a new place, Redene.  This was supposed to be a decorated bread over, but I spent too long talking to my friend Josette, that I managed to lose the plot of what I was doing.  So much for concentration!  All in all, a very good weekend.  Most excitement being the new van.....