Life in Brian

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About this blog

Alex and Laura take it easy round Europe....

In 2009 we sold the house, quit our jobs, bought a campervan called Brian, and headed into mainland Europe. We explored France, Portugal and Spain, met some incredible people and animals, and saw some amazing sights.

After five months on the road, England called us back for a few months and we had a lovely time seeing friends and family. Then at the start of August we hopped back on the ferry and returned to France! Italy was next up but our plans are vague, we're going to see what comes our way, and we'll let you know how we get on....

If you read the blog, please leave comments/say hello!

• 1

  Time with the folks...   Castle Cary, United Kingdom on Sep 19, 2009 1 picture 0 comments
• 2

  Biding our time in Birmingham....   Birmingham, United Kingdom on Sep 20, 2009 0 pictures 0 comments
• 3

  Departure day preparations   Northampton, United Kingdom on Oct 14, 2009 0 pictures 0 comments
• 4

  Norfolk?! Shouldn't you be in France by now?   Aylsham, United Kingdom on Nov 6, 2009 0 pictures 0 comments
• 5

  'Nor-folk-ing' chance of a quick exit....   Aylsham, United Kingdom on Nov 14, 2009 0 pictures 1 comment
• 6

  Goodbye Norfolk! Hello....Northampton!   Northampton, United Kingdom on Nov 25, 2009 9 pictures 2 comments
• 7

  Parlez-vous Anglais?   La Cellette, France on Dec 1, 2009 32 pictures 6 comments
• 8

  Is it really the middle of December?!   La Cellette, France on Dec 12, 2009 54 pictures 8 comments
• 9

  Cold in Confolens   Confolens, France on Dec 13, 2009 6 pictures 0 comments
• 10

  The WW2 martyr village   Oradour-sur-Glane, France on Dec 14, 2009 9 pictures 0 comments
• 11

  Bom Dia!   Santa Clara a Velha, Portugal on Dec 28, 2009 14 pictures 5 comments
• 12

  Rain stops play....alot.   Santa Clara a Velha, Portugal on Dec 31, 2009 12 pictures 0 comments
• 13

  Beach bums   Pedras d'el Rei, Portugal on Jan 4, 2010 28 pictures 5 comments
• 14

  A weekend with the windy West Coast waves   Carrapateira, Portugal on Jan 16, 2010 42 pictures 4 comments
• 15

  This is the life in Loule, Algarve, Portugal   Loule, Portugal on Jan 20, 2010 61 pictures 5 comments
• 16

  Horsing around   Ourique, Portugal on Jan 27, 2010 61 pictures 3 comments
• 17

  Blackpool-on-the-Algarve   Albufeira, Portugal on Feb 17, 2010 63 pictures 0 comments
• 18

  Trading trad skills   Malveira, Portugal on Feb 24, 2010 84 pictures 2 comments
• 19

  A 'chocolate box town' in more ways than one   Obidos, Portugal on Mar 13, 2010 32 pictures 0 comments
• 20

  Magnificent gothic monastery   Alcobaca, Portugal on Mar 14, 2010 6 pictures 0 comments
• 21

  What to do on a lovely sunny day?   Grutas de mira de aire, Portugal on Mar 14, 2010 6 pictures 0 comments
• 22

  Our Lady of Fatima   Fátima, Portugal on Mar 14, 2010 14 pictures 0 comments
• 23

  The Convent of the Order of Christ   Tomar, Portugal on Mar 15, 2010 9 pictures 0 comments
• 24

  Padaria heaven!   Praia De Quiaios, Portugal on Mar 15, 2010 4 pictures 0 comments
• 25

  Ancient engravings in a beautiful valley   Castelo Melhor, Portugal on Mar 16, 2010 9 pictures 0 comments
• 26

  Braganca   Bragança, Portugal on Mar 18, 2010 5 pictures 0 comments
• 27

  On the trail of wolves, or not.   Parque Natural de Montizinho, Portugal on Mar 18, 2010 5 pictures 0 comments
• 28

  Both Spanish & Portuguese   Rio de Onor, Portugal on Mar 19, 2010 5 pictures 0 comments
• 29

  Seaside resort in Spain   La Coruña, Spain on Mar 21, 2010 16 pictures 0 comments
• 30

  Mondonedo and A Pontenova   A pontenova, Spain on Mar 22, 2010 6 pictures 0 comments
• 31

  Territorio Nomada - yurts   Arriondas, Spain on Mar 24, 2010 52 pictures 0 comments
• 32

  The Valley of Iron   Legazpi, Spain on Apr 1, 2010 4 pictures 0 comments
• 33

  Tunneling our way back to France   Jaca, Spain on Apr 1, 2010 9 pictures 0 comments
• 34

  Pau   Pau, France on Apr 2, 2010 3 pictures 0 comments
• 35

  Good Lourdes, what a place!   Lourdes, France on Apr 2, 2010 7 pictures 0 comments
• 36

  Saint Martory   Saint Martory, France on Apr 2, 2010 3 pictures 0 comments
• 37

  A reunion in Ceret   Céret, France on Apr 3, 2010 16 pictures 0 comments
• 38

  A fairytale city   Carcassonne, France on Apr 7, 2010 5 pictures 0 comments
• 39

  Red brick cathedral town   Albi, France on Apr 8, 2010 8 pictures 0 comments
• 40

  Brian goes to Fat Club   Baraqueville, France on Apr 8, 2010 1 picture 0 comments
• 41

  And Prettiest Village Award goes to.....   Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, France on Apr 9, 2010 10 pictures 0 comments
• 42

  Brian meets Brian and we explore the Dordogne!   Souillac, France on Apr 10, 2010 39 pictures 0 comments
• 43

  Back where it all began!   La Cellette, France on May 3, 2010 48 pictures 3 comments
• 44

  There'll be blue birds over the white cliffs of...   Dover, United Kingdom on May 4, 2010 1 picture 0 comments
• 45

  Three months in England!   Birmingham, United Kingdom on Jul 31, 2010 48 pictures 1 comment
• 46

  Back on the farm(s)   La Cellette, France on Sep 19, 2010 75 pictures 0 comments
• 47

  Foodie delights   Lalinde, France on Sep 26, 2010 37 pictures 4 comments
• 48

  Monk-eying around or was it a monastic life?   Ruffepeyre, France on Oct 13, 2010 60 pictures 2 comments
• 49

  Hey, Cre-Mona   Cremona, Italy on Oct 25, 2010 25 pictures 1 comment
• 50

  Venice, Verona and other non-Vs   Venice, Italy on Oct 30, 2010 29 pictures 1 comment
• 51

  Olive pluckers   Anghiari, Italy on Nov 7, 2010 42 pictures 0 comments
• 52

  Hole in one   Sutri, Italy on Nov 14, 2010 5 pictures 0 comments
• 53

  Nov 14, 2010   Bagni di Vicarello, Italy on Nov 14, 2010 1 picture 0 comments
• 54

  Pompeii rocks!   Pompeii, Italy on Nov 15, 2010 34 pictures 0 comments
• 55

  Rome   Rome, Italy on Nov 20, 2010 32 pictures 0 comments
• 56

  Nov 27, 2010   Castiglione Messer Raimondo, Italy on Nov 27, 2010 4 pictures 0 comments
• 57

  Nov 27, 2010   Senigallia, Italy on Nov 27, 2010 1 picture 0 comments
• 58

  Nov 28, 2010   Castel Bolognese, Italy on Nov 28, 2010 1 picture 0 comments
• 59

  Nov 29, 2010   Nova Milanese, Italy on Nov 29, 2010 1 picture 0 comments
• 60

  Nov 30, 2010   Chambéry, France on Nov 30, 2010 8 pictures 0 comments
• 61

  Nov 30, 2010   La Chambre, France on Nov 30, 2010 1 picture 0 comments
• 62

  Dec 01, 2010   Tulle, France on Dec 1, 2010 1 picture 0 comments
• 63

  First world war trenches, memorial and museum   Vimy, France on Dec 10, 2010 13 pictures 0 comments
• 64

  Up on the roof!   Ringshall, United Kingdom on Feb 21, 2011 36 pictures 4 comments
• 65

  Hobbit house and pancake races   Louth, United Kingdom on Mar 5, 2011 22 pictures 3 comments
• 66

  T minus 11 days to ferry   Oakham, United Kingdom on Aug 7, 2011 0 pictures 0 comments
• 67

  No, it's not Laura or Alex. Read on...   Lalinde, France on Sep 7, 2011 28 pictures 3 comments
• 68

  Mon Francais est terrible!   Lalinde, France on Sep 18, 2011 19 pictures 0 comments
• 69

  Pumpkin fair   Tranzault, France on Oct 9, 2011 8 pictures 2 comments
• 70

  A week in a gite   Saint-Moreil, France on Oct 17, 2011 10 pictures 1 comment
• 71

  Catch up with Kate and family   Bourganeuf, France on Oct 22, 2011 4 pictures 0 comments
• 72

  La Sorcellerie (witches et al)   Bonnu, France on Oct 23, 2011 23 pictures 0 comments
• 73

  To build a cabin, part 1   Aigurande, France on Oct 29, 2011 22 pictures 2 comments
• 74

  To build a cabin, part 2   Aigurande, France on Nov 5, 2011 22 pictures 2 comments
• 75

  To build a cabin, part 3   Aigurande, France on Nov 11, 2011 8 pictures 1 comment
• 76

  To build a cabin, part 4   Aigurande, France on Nov 17, 2011 23 pictures 0 comments
• 77

  Songeries   Broadstairs, United Kingdom on Dec 5, 2011 0 pictures 2 comments
• 78

  To build a cabin, part 5   Aigurande, France on Dec 6, 2011 18 pictures 0 comments
• 79

  To build a cabin, part 6   Aigurande, France on Dec 8, 2011 19 pictures 0 comments
• 80

  The best thing to happen to a cucumber   La Cellette, France on Dec 11, 2011 1 picture 0 comments
• 81

  To build a cabin, part 7   Aigurande, France on Dec 12, 2011 7 pictures 1 comment
• 82

  Alex has a couple of glasses of wine...   La Cellette, France on Dec 18, 2011 7 pictures 1 comment
• 83

  Winter Solstice   Stonehenge, United Kingdom on Dec 22, 2011 33 pictures 2 comments
• 84

  Christmas Pimms!   Castle Cary, United Kingdom on Dec 27, 2011 3 pictures 2 comments
• 85

  Glastonbury Tor   Glastonbury, United Kingdom on Dec 28, 2011 12 pictures 0 comments
• 86

  Fiestas and vultures   Sedella, Spain on Jan 19, 2012 51 pictures 0 comments
• 87

  Hot chocolate is a local speciality   Seville, Spain on Jan 20, 2012 17 pictures 2 comments
• 88

  Music and medronho   Santa Clara a Velha, Portugal on Jan 27, 2012 15 pictures 0 comments
• 89

  Fun pants - all is much better now.   Loule, Portugal on Jan 29, 2012 0 pictures 2 comments
• 90

  Loving Loule   Loule, Portugal on Feb 3, 2012 26 pictures 0 comments
• 91

  Reflexoes   Lisbon, Portugal on Feb 6, 2012 2 pictures 0 comments
• 92

  Let them eat cake   Rodez, France on Feb 11, 2012 0 pictures 0 comments
• 93

  We've been noticed!   Rodez, France on Feb 14, 2012 1 picture 1 comment
• 94

  Cracking good time   Ruffepeyre, France on Feb 14, 2012 39 pictures 0 comments
• 95

  Reunited with Brian   Tercillat, France on Feb 20, 2012 14 pictures 0 comments
• 96

  Farm sitters are we   Vigoulant, France on Feb 23, 2012 11 pictures 0 comments
• 97

  I've been asked...   Genouillac, France on Mar 5, 2012 0 pictures 0 comments
• 98

  To build a cabin, part 8   Aigurande, France on Mar 14, 2012 13 pictures 0 comments
• 99

  Lessons for the three little pigs   Ringshall, United Kingdom on Mar 24, 2012 7 pictures 0 comments
• 100

  I'm going potty!   Ringshall, United Kingdom on Mar 25, 2012 44 pictures 1 comment
• 101

  Norfolk, flower boxes and vodka   Aylsham, United Kingdom on Apr 11, 2012 2 pictures 0 comments
• 102

  A lesbian in a beauty salon   South Birmingham College, United Kingdom on May 3, 2012 0 pictures 2 comments
• 103

  Eco conference volunteering   Worcester, United Kingdom on Jul 31, 2012 79 pictures 0 comments
• 104

  Please Monsieur Mairie...Oops, police   Oye-Plage, France on Aug 2, 2012 0 pictures 0 comments
• 105

  Dunkerque   Dunkerque, France on Aug 3, 2012 9 pictures 0 comments
• 106

  Aug 03, 2012   Reserve Naturelle Dune Marchand, France on Aug 3, 2012 3 pictures 0 comments
• 107

  Hondeschoote   Hondschoote, France on Aug 3, 2012 4 pictures 0 comments
• 108

  Beer and mesotonic organ   Esquelbecq, France on Aug 4, 2012 8 pictures 0 comments
• 109

  Water, please, water   Cassel, France on Aug 4, 2012 2 pictures 2 comments
• 110

  Almost a festival!   Dranouter, Belgium on Aug 5, 2012 14 pictures 1 comment
• 111

  Aug 06, 2012   Kortrijk, Belgium on Aug 6, 2012 0 pictures 0 comments
• 112

  We've struck water!   Catillon-sur-Sambre, France on Aug 6, 2012 2 pictures 0 comments
• 113

  A fete, we've struck a fete!   Avesnes-sur-Helpe, France on Aug 7, 2012 0 pictures 0 comments
• 114

  Brownsigning it   Liessies, France on Aug 7, 2012 4 pictures 0 comments
• 115

  Aug 07, 2012   Valjoly, France on Aug 7, 2012 2 pictures 0 comments
• 116

  Aug 08, 2012   Chimay, Belgium on Aug 8, 2012 16 pictures 0 comments
• 117

  Scourmont Monastery   Forges, Belgium on Aug 8, 2012 2 pictures 0 comments
• 118

  Down a big hole   Han-sur-Lesse, Belgium on Aug 9, 2012 19 pictures 0 comments
• 119

  First taste of Lux   Clervaux, Luxembourg on Aug 9, 2012 8 pictures 0 comments
• 120

  Vianden in brief   Vianden, Luxembourg on Aug 10, 2012 21 pictures 1 comment
• 121

  A nice crevice   Mullerthal, Luxembourg on Aug 12, 2012 5 pictures 0 comments
• 122

  Lux for luxurious   Luxembourg City, Luxembourg on Aug 13, 2012 10 pictures 0 comments
• 123

  Rebuilt Roman Villa   Oberleuken, Germany on Aug 15, 2012 7 pictures 1 comment
• 124

  Lovely spot   Mehring, Germany on Aug 15, 2012 0 pictures 0 comments
• 125

  Aug 16, 2012   Bernkastel-Kues, Germany on Aug 16, 2012 13 pictures 0 comments
• 126

  Aug 16, 2012   Briedern, Germany on Aug 16, 2012 3 pictures 0 comments
• 127

  Aug 17, 2012   Cochem, Germany on Aug 17, 2012 8 pictures 0 comments
• 128

  Aug 18, 2012   Burgen, Germany on Aug 18, 2012 6 pictures 0 comments
• 129

  Ruins for the imagination!   Sankt Goar, Germany on Aug 19, 2012 11 pictures 0 comments
• 130

  Aug 19, 2012   Bacharach, Germany on Aug 19, 2012 7 pictures 0 comments
• 131

  Woodland wanders   Johanniskreuz, Germany on Aug 23, 2012 0 pictures 0 comments
• 132

  Bio studies   Fischbach, Germany on Aug 23, 2012 12 pictures 0 comments
• 133

  Barefeet experience   Ludwigswinkel, Germany on Aug 23, 2012 9 pictures 0 comments
• 134

  Gernsbach   Gernsbach, Germany on Aug 23, 2012 12 pictures 0 comments
• 135

  Lakeside accom   Clairvaux-les-Lacs, France on Aug 27, 2012 4 pictures 0 comments
• 136

  Aug 28, 2012   St. Victor-sur-loire, France on Aug 28, 2012 2 pictures 0 comments
• 137

  Aug 29, 2012   Martel, France on Aug 29, 2012 6 pictures 0 comments
• 138

  Chelsea   Chelsea, United Kingdom on Nov 8, 2012 0 pictures 0 comments
• 139

  Answering questions   Chelsea, United Kingdom on Nov 8, 2012 0 pictures 7 comments
• 140

  All artificial footwear   Chelsea, United Kingdom on Nov 17, 2012 2 pictures 0 comments
• 141

  Trees - Naked or decorated?   Chelsea, United Kingdom on Nov 17, 2012 1 picture 3 comments
• 142

  My stats   Chelsea, United Kingdom on Nov 27, 2012 2 pictures 0 comments
• 143

  Have I told you about the best Christmas ever?   Castle Cary, United Kingdom on Dec 28, 2012 0 pictures 1 comment
• 144

  We're not travelling at the moment   Castle Cary, United Kingdom on Dec 31, 2012 0 pictures 0 comments
• 145

  This one's for Laura   Welshpool, United Kingdom on Feb 11, 2013 23 pictures 2 comments
• 146

  Off again   La cellette 23350, France on Apr 27, 2013 61 pictures 0 comments