Packing

We leave in 4 days...the packing has begun. Trying to cram it all into a suitcase and stay under 50 pounds. The art gear weighs about 15 pounds. The lightest easel and tripod is about 7 lbs. Add a couple lbs. of paint and a few more of painting panels and one really needs to consider lightweight clothes. Personally, I do pretty well at packing light but Lynda is doing 11 days in a carry on. I can't even figure out how to not take more than the allowable liquids.

The painting is of "French Poppies". They bloom in the spring so we won't see them but Lynda provided a photo from a previous trip as inspiration for this painting.

Inspiration

8 days until departure. Lynda sent the photo of the painting for inspiration this morning. I believe it's of Fraysinet, the village we will spend a week in. Isn't it beautiful? We painted yesterday at Lynda's new place and caught up with a few fellow travelers. Linda R. is checking the weather daily. It seems warm with no rain. Hope it continues. Janet just returned from 2 weeks there and raved about it. "You're just going to love it!" Can't wait!

The Anticipation Grows-11 more days

Bon Jour. That's the greeting we have adopted when we see our fellow travelers.

Plans are finalized and now it's time to get serious about packing. At least, try to figure out which shoes will last the duration and how to get by with less clothes than I would normally pack. Lynda says that we should think of it as camping...casual and comfortable. Black with a touch of color for Paris will do. Hoping to buy a colorful scarf at the markets. We will have lunch in Toulousse on the day we arrive. Violets are the symbolic flower of the city.

The picture is of the village of Giverny, home to Monet's famous watergarden, pink house and gardens. We hope to get there while we are in Paris. It's in Normandy, about an hours drive from Paris.

16 days to departure

Running around trying to find the necessary items to take on the trip. Lynda, our guide and world traveler, highly recommends compression stockings. I'm trying to keep it all in one color family...black. The photo is of SueAnn and Jean at Couquette. It's a fun group of ladies and we should have a great time. Will try to continue the blog while in France but check out the blog at La Vieux Couvent. http://www.vacancesenvie.com This is where we are staying the first week. Watch us paint!

20 More Days

In 20 days, a group of talented artists from the Triangle area of North Carolina will embark on a once in a lifetime painting adventure to southwest France. The group of 13, led by Lynda Chambers will depart for Frayssinet, a tiny village in the French Pyrenees. We will stay in a restored convent called La Vieux Couvent. Our hosts, Bill and Corinne will guide us through the area, feed us, take us on tours of ancient caves, shopping trips and allow us time to paint when the mood strikes us.

Then on to Paris for 3 nights. Hopefully we'll be able to take in Giverney (Monet's home) as part of that adventure.

Yesterday, we met at "Couquette" a lovely french restaurant for lunch and to finalize any last minute plans. The picture is of Susan and Lynda...Lynda always drinks french champagne!