Seventeen days to go!

Last night was stormy, rain beat the flowers down and wind rocked the campervan. Inside it was warm and quiet, three cuties slept in the soft light of a string of fairy lights. One was awake! My daughter tells me it is 17 days until we set off for a tour of Spain and Portugal that will last over five months. A pilgrimage in search of education, wildlife, adventure, culture and a lot of ice cream. My daughter has recently made the jump from reading when I tell her to, to reading for fun, and I couldn't be prouder, but there is more to be learned out there in the world, I want to set an example of participating in life, even better throwing yourself at it, but some nights that seems hard. My husband is feeling it too, he came home with enough plasters and antiseptic cream to supply a war zone! Getting nervous dear? Here we go! The kids can read my blog when they are older and go "Oh! They got scared sometimes!"

We may return through France, then we will explore Scotland. My van is ready and my new headlights look spanking! I know that apart from the 24 hours on the ferry I can potter around the coast as slowly as I like but I've never driven this far and I've only spent a handful of hours driving overseas. On the flip side, I've taken to watching videos of beautiful Portuguese coastline and food and thinking, come on 17 days get done!

I'm looking forward to sun silvered palm trees, wide spaces, new people, new words, mountains and medieval towns with castles. I'm not looking forward to missing my family (although my mum is hanging out in a Chateau in France right now) missing the play dates for Jasmine and trying to get the kids to eat strange food, or searching for chicken nuggets in exotic places!

We are also trying to solve the problems of working and travelling. Tim has done splendidly at changing his tutoring from face-to-face to skype. I have a little slot in the van for my art and have to try to paint (as I have a very promising new outlet for my fine art) and design textiles as we go. Tim needs wifi for his lessons. I need time and a flat table. I have to post work to my studio from places along the way. Fortunately for me, my design studio think my travel is inspiring for my design and are very happy to be helpful. 

I'm so very lucky I can fill my life with these self-chosen challenges, I'm not tied to a sick relative, committed to supporting family in a collapsed economy country, or simply not allowed to be an adventurous woman by culture or law. My circumstances and my healthy family are a gift of vast wealth. I'm going to have adequate imagination and courage to take advantage.  

Wish us a smooth crossing to Spain, but you can bet your bottom dollar we will be ok either way!