Sunday 6th July 2014

Early start this morning to get to St Malo in time. Karl turned up at 5.30 to pick me up. We both seem to be early risers.

Karl whizzes along - pushes his old van to the limit. He talks constantly (wonder if he's a bit lonely in that huge house?). He also has his CD player turned right up (nice sounds - JJ Cale, Ry Cooder, MuddyWaters, etc). We still had time to stop off for a coffee on the way and got to the port at St Malo to watch the ferry come in.

Laura didn't look as if she had a wonderful journey; said she'd been sick a few times and hadn't been able to eat anything. Karl suggested stopping off in Dinan for something to eat before picking up his furniture. The old town centre is full of historical buildings and Laura seemed to really like it. 

She cheered up once we found a café and had baguettes and coffee. It only took ten minutes from Dinan to Karl's pick up place; a beautiful manoir where a bureau and chest of drawers was ready to be collected. Laura said the manoir was how she imagined Monsieur Henri's house to be (Amatore's Restaurant - chapter 23).

When we arrived back Laura wanted to take a look around, so the three of us went for a walk down the lane. Met Jean-Luc who was pottering around in his yard (wonder if he and his wife ever talk to each other). I introduced him to the others. Karl thinks the whole Gertrude saga is hilarious - says I should tell Jean-Luc the truth, but I'm not so sure; I don't think it would go down too well.

Once Karl had left, Laura and I sat out in the garden and discussed promotion for my books. She has lots of useful suggestions. 

Monday 30th June 2014

Went round to Karl's today to check on Gertrude. Funny to see her swimming around the lake, she seems to be having a great time. Karl showed me a rare chest of drawers he's working on which he picked it up for fifty Euros at a house sale near Quimper. He told me the maker's name but I can't remember now - must ask again when I see him. At some stage it had been painted white. He's now removed half of it away and the wood is a deep rich mahogany.

We had a coffee in his old farmhouse kitchen and I mentioned about the problems I'm having with my car. I also said about Laura having to meet Laura in St Malo. He said he has to go to Dinan on that day to pick up some furniture from a manoir and so he offered to drive me up there if I didn't mind helping load up the van - so relieved.

Rodrigo phoned this morning to arrange a band practice. He and Tatiana are still living on the campsite. Can't be easy for them there; very crowded in the summer. He's desperate for some gigs, even though he's a very good drummer. Said he'll contact Ines and Alexander and try and arrange an evening practice, over at Alexander's place. (He must still have his kit there).

Spent this evening looking at Laura's suggestions for the blurb. Sent her a couple of e-mails. It'll be so much easier discussing things face to face.