Thank you all. I leave in less than 24 hours and I have to say I’m sitting here thinking “What have I done?” I feel like I’m moving away. But I’m sure it will be a great trip no matter how it turns out. I just called some friends in England(former client) and they are going to come to Normandy to visit for a few days, and I’m really looking forward to that. The last week of the trip is going to be in Rome. I’ve never been there and I’m really looking forward to that.

Well the first part of this adventure is over. I’m here in Belgium. Arrived this morning. My friend Dirk and I just spent the better part of an hour trying to figure out why my computer couldn’t go on his wireless network. After a call to my computer guru in the United States, we solved the problem by hooking my computer to his wireless box with a cable. By some miracle, there was a cable already hooked up to his wireless box and the other end of the cable fit my computer! I’m telling you all this just in case someone else runs into this problem bringing an American computer to Europe or a European computer to the U.S. Just forget the wireless connection and use a cable! More later.

HI Alison- Thanks for the kind words. I’m doing just great. I live in a typical half timbered Norman farm house about 3/4 mile from the village of Cormeilles. The nearest big town in Liceaux, about 14 miles away. I have to come down to the village to get internet access, and I do that 3 or 4 times a day. I have to stay in touch.

There are no houses near my house. It’s all farmland. I drove to Pont l’Eveque(yes, the cheese Pont l’Eveque!) last week, which is about 12 miles away. the road was paved, but barely wider than the car. I’m not kidding. In 12 miles of driving I didn’t encounter a single car! There were a few houses along the road that looked like they belonged to weekenders. Many houses have thatched roofs, with Irises planted in the peak of the roof. It must look wonderful when they are in bloom.

I started a BIG writing project that I’ve been thinking about for years. I’m writing down, in fine detail, all of the procedures that I use to rebuild harps. Someday, after I’m completely retired(if that ever happens) or after I’m dead and gone, this will see the light of day. It will be my last will and testament to the harp world. I don’t want what i know to get lost. There are some real surprises in there. But everyone will have to wait a long time to read it. Anyway, it has been consuming most of my day every day. I did read a book on the French revolution. I’ve had a few visitors in the past week, and the owner of the house is showing up tomorrow for a week. I’m really looking forward to that.

I visited an incredible Chateau in the area last week. It’s called Champ de Bataille and it’s spectacular. I haven’t been able to find any good photos of it on the internet though.

I’ll keep you all posted on how things progress. Bye for now.

Thanks Alison. I’ll look for it. Sounds great.