Here we are. Day of departure. I woke at 5.30 am to carry on packing and work through the backlog of emails to send, to find the hallway streaked with cat sick. I'm taking it as an auspicious sign. Stomach starting to rumble now, and I can hear my 3 year old son Eli roaming around upstairs - I'm running out of time. A long journey ahead - due to arrive in Montlucon station at 22.50 tonight. See you on the other side!