Sidetracked.

Have a day off, yeah?

Hello!

Sorry I’ve not been around so much lately, but it’s summer here and it’s important to get out of the KIOSK and stretch your legs every once in a while. If getting older has taught me anything, it’s that the months go quick, and for some reason, the summer months seem to go the quickest…

So, let’s view this as something of a holiday in itself, shall we? Normally I’m wanging on about something to do with drawing or writing, but today I think I’ll tell you a little about a recent trip and just give you some nice pictures to look at. There’ll be no homework assignment.

A couple of weeks ago I spent a few days cycling across Brittany in France. A friend of mine (Louise Smurthwaite - she makes things too which you should take a look at) had informed me that the cycling in France was a joy to behold, and curious to find out what this entailed, I packed up my camping stuff, grabbed my bike, and headed to Portsmouth to catch the night ferry to Saint-Malo.

In the morning I was let loose on French soil, and I was off.

I’ve not done a huge amount of bikepacking, so most of my plan was based on very vague speculation. I picked a few hopeful locations of where I would end up each night, plotted a route between them, and headed off. I also wanted to keep it as basic and un-digital as possible, marking up a paper map with all the necessary information and then just seeing what the road dealt. Louise was not wrong; the national cycle network is incredible (by UK standards) and I soon found myself flying through the countryside along old railway line and canals, camping along the way.

I wasn’t breaking any land speed records on my ladened Brompton, but that of course was not the point. I had incredible weather (a little too incredible at times) and I just got to experience the delightful towns, villages and countryside of Brittany as it all rolled by.

I took a few bits and pieces with me (those who know me, will know I’m quite particular about my bits and pieces), but there is nothing quite like brewing up a cowboy coffee in the cool of the morning before packing up and heading off to somewhere new.

Here’s everything I took.

I won’t labour the point, but it’s always good to take a break. I think the only actively creative thing I did while I was away was take a few analogue photos, something I very much enjoy, even if I’m not sure I’m getting any better at it. But again, that’s not the point.

After a few days and few more kilometres, I reached the coast on the other side of the Bretagne peninsula, arriving at Concarneau. It’s an interesting part of the world, with it’s own atmosphere. And rocks. It has some very nice rocks.

All in all, it was a glorious adventure. After a few days relaxing, I got the train back to London, and here I am, back in the KIOSK, almost as if nothing had happened. But it DID happen. And like all things experienced, it’s now in me. It only remains to be seen if, and how, it effects what I do and make. Who knows what a little percolating time will lead to? Perhaps nothing, and that’s perfectly fine as well.

In the meantime, the summer is not over yet, so there’s plenty of time for a few more games of pétanque sunshine with a beer or two. Or whatever you consider to be a good time, but, la vie de boule est ma vie.

See you all soon.

Owen D. Pomery