Ok so……an approach from a previously unknown source, thanks to the website, brings us to researching this nice little unassuming organ in Tuxford, Nottinghamshire:

…..a few months pass, and after many chats and exchanges with local organist Samuel Puojade happily it came to pass that we were engaged to relocate it to Narbonne on the south coast of France. Destination, the Franciscan Abbey of St Bonaventure. It’s my favourite kind of work because it does two other parties a favour, I make a living and save an organ in the process; it’s a win win situation.

…..the news even made the local newspaper…..

…..so we run over and take it apart…….this is me on the boat from Dublin - Liverpool…..

…..little did we know though, that we were heading towards the hottest day on record in the UK…….

…..it was challenging to work in such heat…..here is Simon working hard……

…..and so the organ slowly came apart:

…..and so off back home we go, the springs well down……..couldn’t have taken any more weight…..

…..a few weeks later and we’re on the road again, Narbonne bound…….

…..mpg of the van dropped from it’s unusually good 60pmg to 53 owing to the 3 tonne paypoad……for such a small van, it did exceptionally well. Thank u Mr. Ford!

…..all traveled safe and so…..it was a successful trip, everyone happy with the outcome…….here’s the organ in its new home…..

…..Samuel gave me a treat whilst there…….a visit to Narbonne Cathedral…….breathtaking…..

…..it was lovely to soak up the culture there and notice the cultural differences. Gosh…..their hearses are quite different to ours!:

…..and a nice treat for our one day off: a visit to the ancient town of Carcassanne……

…..met some charming ladies on the way home…….

…..and other treats en route home (access to organs set up in advance thanks to my hosts in Narbonne)……for example the cathedral in Salat…….I was allowed to play and venture inside this historic organ……

On the whole a happy and worthwhile venture/trip for everyone. Thank you Samuel Poujade ;-)