The London skyline from the Bermondsey banks of the Thames. Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Yesterday our friend Lisa got the keys to our house, studio, and mailbox. She will be staying here during our absence. While we are painting in France Lisa will be working on a novel. We hope to exchange our creative vibes.

Our suitcases are packed and weighed and our carryons are ready. Computers and Kindles will be the last into our carryon bags. Today I did some last minute chores around the yard and Jean made some last minute repairs to her laptop with the help of Dell technicians. Her USB drives were acting up, but they managed to get them working. Tomorrow is house cleaning, laundry, and waiting. Once you are ready to go the waiting is the most difficult part.

I’ve been doing a sketch each day to get myself into a tempo for doing some drawing in London and Paris. With a small sketch book and my pencils I will try to continue the sketch a day practice. I also will carry a small watercolor outfit to the cities and may do some of those. That will get me ready for the month of painting at Atelier de la Rose.

This should be the last post from Seattle. The next post will be at the Cleveland Hotel…in London. I’m looking forward to the museums of London, Amsterdam and Paris. Soon we will be driving with the French, using coed toilets, eating new and delicious food, and continuing our struggles with the French language.
Au revoir et a Londres!