I'm marking the start of my retirement with a journey. A road trip through France.
'La Route Retraite,' as they might call it over there.
I'm doing this trip solo. Without a real plan. At each street corner, I'll decide whether to turn left or right. Sure, I've put a few places on my wish list, but I don't feel obligated to check them all off. The village of Y is such a place, the shortest place name in France. Funny. But if I don't make it there, I won't lose a minute's sleep over it.
There's just one rule: I won't drive a single inch on major highways. I'll stick to the backroads, small country lanes, and tiny villages. I'll ask the locals what I should see in the area.
Oh, although it goes against the principle of this journey, I've made one promise. I'm stopping by an airport somewhere in the south to deliver a sign. What kind of sign? No idea. But I promised this to a kind lady in Heusden where I stayed recently. So... first stop is Heusden, and then I'll let her explain the rest to me.
Whether I'll reach France on the first day is still questionable. After all, my 'no major roads' rule applies from home onwards. I'll be away for about four weeks. The date of my return is still unknown. The departure date, however, is set: Tuesday, April 22nd.
If you want to know where I am, follow my journey on Polarsteps.