Journal

Le Vendredi 3 mai à 19h

Grand leaving 'do' with the mayor of Gabian and les associations gabianaises Singers, musicians, all the friends are coming - are you?

Evening, including buffet - 15 € Reservation necessary - limited number Come for the party in la salle polyvalente 04.67.24.65.18

Friday May 3 On the eve of departure, a special fund-raising concert was held in the salle de fete, Gabian (see pub. above). The audience packed into the hall was entertained all night - and into the early hours, by truly exceptional artists. In addition, there was a super buffet which also seemed to last all night.

SPECIAL EVENT - SPECIAL EVENT - SPECIAL EVENT

12h00 SAMEDI 4 MAI au Café du Midi, Pézenas - - apéro - - jazz band - - Venez nombreux pour souhaiter 'Bon Voyage' à Black et Ray

Saturday May 4 It starts... Following the very successful concert in Gabian at 12 noon the next day Ray and Black were outside the café du midi, preparing to leave (see pub. above, and foto right). A jazz band played, entertaining people who sat in the sunshine enjoying a midday drink and meal. It was much later that evening, after a beautiful day, that Ray and Black set off on what Ray often described as "my last big adventure..."

Photo: Cristina Loghin

Special Welcome Back Party

Friends and family laid on a special reception in Pézenas to mark the end of the adventure. This was on Saturday August 13 on the terrace of the Café du Midi, the place where the journey began. There is only one thing now left undone. Sesame Autism (France) is arranging a small ceremony where Ray will hand over a cheque for over 6,000 euros (40,000 francs) he collected on his journey.

Below are just a few of the photos taken at the reception. Click on any to see a larger version. Photos taken by Winifred and Fer Koop (Netherlands)

		News Library

Multi-cultural evening : Chorale Occitane

Reservation necessary limited number to reserve call: Tel : 04.67.24.65.18

The Long Riders' Guild

May Ray has been made an associate member of The Long Riders' Guild, the world's first international association of equestrian travellers. There are about 130 members of the LRG, who live in 26 countries. To qualify as a full member, a person has to travel a thousand miles or more on one continuous horseback trip. Many of the LRG associate members are actually out on expeditions right now! Ray's adventure is mentioned on their website - check it out. There are also websites in French and German.

www.thelongridersguild.com

www.worldtrailrides.com

www.weitreitergilde.de

Midi Libre Septembre 2001 Black and Ray, a photogrpah taken in Gabian and the story featured in the Midi Libre, with the title "Ray Everitt, the troubadour with a big heart"

---

Isère du Dauphiné Libéré June 05 2002 The article in the Isère du Dauphiné Libéré, headlined (sic) "A troubadour and a horse, singing on their way to Berne". The photograph shows Ray and Black, together with Gisèlle Clair, President of Passion Criolla. Click to return to Letter Page

Isère du Dauphiné Libéré June 014 2002 A copy of le Dauphiné Libéré, which carried a photograph of Ray, on stage and singing with Sandrine Varnet (see more photos below) at a special concert held in Morestel on June 14, helping to raise more money for Autisme. The journal starts the report with... Comme l'a dit un spectateur après le concert : "Excellente soirée, dépaysante et… super. Merci Ray ! "

The copy was sent by Gérard Barré, with this short message: Dear friends, chers amis et chères amies, Compte-rendu du concert de Ray paru dans le Dauphiné Libéré du 14 juin 2002 (Édition Isère/Morestel). Amitiés, un abrazo fuerte, all my bests, Gérard Barré, webmestre des domaines : http://www.justacriollo.com http://www.worldtrailrides.com

More newspaper cuttings, following Black et Ray on their travels

		News pictures...

We are building up a library of larger format picture and photographs. These can be downloaded for publication in newspapers and magazines. If you have a specific request, then simply drop us a line, using the e-mail logo at the bottom of this page, or on the Contact Page.

	Right-click on thumbnail to download a larger picture (460k .jpg file). On the dropdown menu select "Save target as..." and choose where you wish to store the file on your hard disk.

The following is a selection of photographs sent by Gérard Barré on 25 Juin 2002.

Photographs © Philippe Guérou - Pasión CRIOLLA

---

Above; a selection entitled 'on the road', Right - time for a song from Ray, and below, Ray singing with Sandrine Varnet

Photographs © Philippe Guérou - Pasión CRIOLLA

---

Photographs © Philippe Guérou - Pasión CRIOLLA

Café de la Poste Les Vans ,Chez Guison	Arriving in St. Martial	FR3 TV crew film Black et Ray in St. Martial	Leaving St. Martial

Julie et Laure Pont d'Hérault	Leaving for Montelimar	One of many rivers they had to navigate	Geeting ready to rest for the night

Arriving in Berne, Switzerland	Greetings from friends in Berne	Concert night in Berne	Ray and the mayor of Gabian, at the Berne concert

		Our site Noticeboard...

We are so pleased that so many people have taken an interest in Black and Ray's venture. At the start of the journey, Georges Bartoli, Mayor of Gabian, had a special few words for Ray and Black. The photo below shows George wishing Ray "Bonne Chance". He said "The municipality of Gabian are supporting Ray and his trusty steed Black and believe that helping raise money for autism is a real worthy cause.

It also helps raise awareness of this condition, which is a good thing, as it will help so many people. We wish them good luck and success on their journey."

In addition, we publish just a few of other Good Luck messages we have received.

Have read about Ray's exploits. Would like to make contact again. I used to play rugby with Ray at Twickenham before he moved to France. Please pass on our best wishes to Ray. Regards. Ray and Rosemary Bairstow 17.08.02

C'est avec un grand emerveillement que je decouvre votre site, dire que c'est à partir d'une simple petite adresse grifonnée sur un bout de papier un Samedi 11 Mai au col de jalcreste que tout a commencé. Je vous souhaites de réussir, ne serait-ce que pour le courage que vous faites preuve dans ce periple, mais pour la cause aussi. Que toute la France puisse avoir vent de vos aventures. Encore une fois Bravo et Bonne chance à vous et à Black. Jérémy du "Ventadou" 24.07.02

Mon cher Ray, Malgré la distance qui s'allonge nous suivions ton périple et tes péripéties. Nous essayerons de venir te retrouver à Berne, donne de tes nouvelles et bon courage. Gabian est avec toi! Georges. Lt. Col. Georges Bartoli, Mayor of Gabian - 17.06.02

What a beautiful journey! And what a beautiful horse!!! Elena Latici, Stonington, CT, USA - 16.06.02

Hi Ray, This is Barbara from Nizas. It's good this b...y internet to keep up with the news!! Glad to see you're well. Gros bisous Barbara, Nizas - 04.06.02

Salut Ray, Marie-France, Annie et les deux Michel rencontrés dans le gîte d'étape des Sédaries, à Villefort, t'adressent leur plus amical souvenir, au retour victorieux de leur parcours de 448 km. Certes, 448 c'est moins que 1000, mais nous n'avons pas de cheval! Nous souhaitons pour toi que la suite de ton parcours ait été moins aventureuse et le balisage plus visible. Tu ne dois plus être très loin de la Suisse. Bravo pour cette aventure et surtout pour la cause que tu défends. Nous sommes très heureux d'avoir eu la chance de te rencontrer et gardons un excellent souvenir du repas pris en ta compagnie. Si tu passes en Normandie, nous serons heureux de poursuivre la conversation... Entre nous, et contrairement à ce que tu nous as annoncé, il nous étonnerait bien que tu passes la suite de ta vie dans tes chaussons. Alors, nous pouvons te dire : à une autre fois sur les chemins du monde! Michel HOURQUET - 02.06.02

Dear Blacky, What about your feet, your food, your faith? We've heard on BBC news: "an English man lost in the Cevennes". Could you let us know if there is something to see with you and your mad friend Ray? We wish you a lot of luck, and don't think too early of swiss-chocolate... and biers !!!!! lot of love from Clive and Marion in the UK - 23.05.02

RAY ! c'est mimi et momo qui pensent très fort à toi et qui sont désolés de n'avoir pu participer à ta soirée de départ, nous te souhaitons bonne route et beaucoup de rencontres avec ton beau Black ! gros bisous et à bientôt     mimi momo de nizas 11.05.02

Du beau temps pour notre Ulysse Qui va chausser ses belles bottes de 7 lieues,et donner des carottes A Black,pour partir jusqu'en Suisse! Marc de Montreuil 07.05.02

Hi Ray,Ticha & Black or Dobbin - Hope all is going well for you both. We wish you luck on your trip Ray & Dobbin, Our thoughts & love will be with you, We hope you enjoy the trip Ray, We will keep in touch by email if it is possible. Love from us all over here especially Pam,Harry,Joy,Russell & Jazmin, xxxxxxxxxx Tregear N.S.W. Austrailia 07.05.02

I love you, Uncle Ray. Have lot`s of fun with Dobbin. Jake Kettlebaston, London 01.05.02

Une nouvelle service internationale est arrivée… c’est le Cheval à Grande Vitesse. ou peut-être le PCGV.. Presque cheval à grande vitesse. Bonne chance The French say that happiness can be found under a horse shoe. But this is unlikely if the horse has just trodden on your face after you have fallen off it. Don’t fall off this time you silly bugger. Andy of Amersham England

Do not exceed the speed limit. Good luck From Pam and J.C. in Gabian 23.04.02

Good luck, Ray, and have a safe journey. From Lynne Lawton in London 20.04.02

0DE to a Swiss Erne By the banks of river "La Thongue there`s not far away a "Black" Camargue. He is delightful, kind and gentle, "Dobbin" WE call him, consequentle. Not long to go, ere we say goodbye to my Bro Ray a (once) handsome guy; astride on Dobbin, on their way to Bern they`re headed on the 4th of May. It`s not a race, so who will win? Our young autistics (& no doubt their kin). This troubabour Ray intends; to perform concerts as his way he wends. With Cowboy, Folk & other songs, plus his guitar, he`ll entertain; Pass around the hat & our kids will gain. So, wish them au revoir & beaucoup bonne chance, Ray`s English born, now lives in France. Daphne, Gabian 17.04.02

Best of luck to Ray and Dobbin. With love, Patricia and Patrick Stoner, London 19.03.02.

Ray et black - We are ready to follow your adventures when you keep up the good work love, Pam & Harry in Australia xxxx 16.03.02

Petit coucou pour te souhaiter bonne chance pour ton voyage. Ton site est vraiment trés sympa ! Nous serons là bien sur le jour de ton départ, et nous suivrons ton periple avec grand intérêt. Bisous Sarah LUCCHESI, Gabian 12.03.02

Il est bien sympa, votre site ! Black sera-t-il là au rendez-vous de mai ? En tout cas, nous viendrons avec plaisir vous souhaiter bonne route. Bises, Steen, Dominique et Hugo, Vailhan 06.03.02

"Salut Ray, nous penserons à toi pendant ton voyage avec black mais nous viendrons te voir avant gros bisous"     mimi momo de nizas 23.02.02

"Bravo et bonne chance! Ca c'est une idée cool...on t'accompagne en pensées et on espère pouvoir te croiser lors de ton périple pour boire un coup et discuter."  Marc, Montreuil-sous-bois 12.02.02

If you wish to send a message, then please click on the e-mail logo on the left. We will try to post all the comments we receive on the site Noticeboard.

	for Home Page

Cliquez pour version Français		Click here for English version