Fréjus, France

Fréjus, France
Aqueduc Romain

Sunday, May 18, 2008

Getting ready to go


We are now 29 day from departure and I’m trying to be zen about the chaos that is our lives at this moment.  The house is a tornado of boxes and stuff everywhere as we prepare to move everything into a locker.  What goes in the locker? What goes to France? What gets sold in the yard sale? What gets donated or thrown away?  The house is not yet rented, the van is not yet sold, and we do not know how we are getting first to MI, then Baltimore, and finally NY for our departure on the Queen Mary 2 on July 8.  


At least everything in Europe is set, and we have our visas, health insurance, and a bank account!  After we arrive in Southampton, England, we are flying via Flybe to Rennes, France on July 15.  We have a car rented and will be staying for a week in Granville on the Normandy coast.  On July 22 we are taking the train to Paris and will be staying on the rue de la Colonie for one month.  Maggie will be flown in around the 23rd.  We will leave Paris on August 22 and spend the rest of the month touring our way down to Fréjus which will be our home for the next 9 months.  


As for what I’ve learned: that no matter how well or how long one prepares for spending a year abroad (in our case, 10 months), the last 6-8 weeks will be stressful and the unexpected will happen.  See you on the other side...

9 comments:

Karen and Bill said...

Great looking blog.
We will see you in Michigan in June and again in France in Ocotber

Norm said...

Great job Rick.

See you soon

Kari said...

I love it! It's a great way for us to follow your journey.

Z Family said...

Rick,C'est manifique! J'aime bien le blog.
J'espere que la jeune fille et ta femme(wife?)
ecrirais aussi. Moi, je vais practicer francais ici.
Bon Voyage a la famille Browne!
Michelle Z

ted and ruth said...

Thanks for including us in your travel adventure updates and life in France. We wish you all the best and especially Happy Sailing.

Anonymous said...

Le blog est fantastique, Rick. Je suis tres heureux pour toi et ta famille. J'attends avec impatience un livre sur votre aventure à votre retour.

Anonymous said...

Nice blog. Hope to see you soon in Michigan. We'll enjoy reading your posts through your year in Provence.

Anonymous said...

Love that you'll have this as a way to communicate. Will eagerly await your comments. Hugs to Lisa and Irie!

Anonymous said...

following your venture on the cruise ship web cam. Seas look calm but a little foggy today. Can't wait to hear all about it.