Bon Voyage

this week has been all about preparing to go to France...


On Saturday I managed to contact the transporter who said that they would be picking Paris up mid afternoon/dinnertime on Monday (today). I spoke to my Mum because I was worried if i waited that long there was no way i'd be back before lunch time. She told me not to worry and that she would make sure Paris got on the horsebox ok.

Sunday I helped out some friends who have MS and live in wheelchairs and they gave me an Onyx necklace for "safe travel". I then went to the yard and packed Paris' gear in my car.

i decided not to play with Paris this weekend as I was a bit stressed out and knew he would pick up on it and things would not go well. i went to the field and gave Paris an apple and a stroke and got all upset thinking the next time i see him he'll be in France!

when i got home i had to reorganise everything in the car to fit in a bicycle as well as 6 months worth or clothes, toiletries etc. i was at it until 1am!

This morning I got up and headed straight to the port but i should have got up sooner - i missed my Ferry by a matter of minutes and had to wait around for two hours for the next one. The crossing was really choppy and it took all my concentration not to be sick! then i started worrying about what the conditions will be like for Paris' crossing - will the horses be allowed to travel? will they be ok if they do?

i drove through Calais and was on the motorway by lunch time. i was thinking about how well i was doing for time and that i should miss the rush hour near Paris when i suddenly realised i had not adjusted my clock - france is an hour ahead! then i hit major road works that went on for about 5km! i was starting to panick but i hit the city border at 4pm and managed to get clear of it before the traffic got too bad. at 6pm i came off the motorway and got really excited that i was close to my destination but the Sat Nav had other ideas!

for an hour i toured the French countryside feeling hopeful when i thought something looked familiar but mostly feeling terrified when nothing did! finally i came to the village and saw a sign for Haras Naturel du Plessis.

i drove up and decided to head for the communal building and let the working students know i had arrived. then i unpacked my car, set up my room and connected the internet to my computer.

the working students all seem very nice... there's French speaking Belgian Joke (pronounced Yoka), who's birthday is tomorrow, then there's German Anna and Dutch Sonna! not a french person in sight!

Tomorrow i get a lie in and then i will help Joke with Kakka force!!

Mum and Hayley have told me that Paris selfloaded into the transporter lorry much to the amazement of the drivers and that Paris should reach me sometime on wednesday - but may have been to Spain first! I'm really missing him and anxious that he will be ok. i know he's in good hands but it's the longest journey he's done, at least since i've known him!

time for some sleep i reckon....