life goes on...

 ...despite lack of internet connection - thanks to l'Oryginal and the free wifi. And Luc's excellent coffee.

 Heres lunch in the courtyard with Theo, Ann, Margo and Monique and below, the river yesterday - lovely.

gens du voyage

 Never a dull moment here. Residents know that last Sunday a group of some 60 travellers moved onto the rec, cutting the padlock and moving the stones so to do. Hey, we are all liberal minded... but our mighty mayor pointed out that they were camped on Esperaza's water supply and they were defecating hither and yon. Several of us trotted over to see what was happening and the smell was formidable; there was indeed a deal of human shit and a whole lot of toilet paper along the river banks and in the field. Why? These guys have decent caravans that certainly have toilets.
Anyway the mayor went to the sous-prefect of Limoux, the sous-prefect de Narbonne and  the prefect of the Aude all of whom agreed the traveling people should go. An order was issued. They didn't go.
Until Friday, when with the help of police from Axat, Quillan and Couiza and the gendarmes of Limoux they moved off. Followed by the amazing storm which has cleaned the place up no end.

BUT as you can see from the notice attached to the gate they have banned parking, camping - and dogs. This was one of Lilys favorite walks. Alas.

 

 

Alecia's birthday bash

 Beautiful cake, red velvet with icing - and Ryan and Alicia made many small ones too. My BEASTLY dog Lily ate 5 of them.
Fortunately there were still enough to go round.

Here's the birthday girl in her birthday beret from Andree, in Annies kitchen - below she is with Annie on the terrace where the meal took place. We were holding our collective breath for good weather after last nights astonishing sheet-lightening storm; in the event it was cool and refreshing and dry.

This heart-shaped thingie is a cake of olives and bread and  stuff that Annie makes so we soak up the blanquette without breaking into song.

 Here's Aileen with her pack, well-trained dogs who wouldn't steal birthday cake, and the marvelous Olle-Bendick who has latterly taken to port. Any port just after a storm, hoho.

A birthday beetle... with Bieke in the background. Below are El and Pete having a natter.  Below that are the same Pete with a different Pete having another natter.

  And Scottish Dave and Ferren and Andree and Clare and the lovely sunset.

Slightly worried that Alecia was the youngest person there. The average age was at least twice hers.


She seems nonplussed.

Diary dates

August 3rd is a busy day... from 4 - 8, our Kat (Katrina Head) is holding an aperitif at l'Artotheque, Rennes les Bains; a show of her photos in conjunction with Rupert Soskin called "La Nature vue de pres". See you there...
Another event occurs at the same time, 6.00 on the 3rd - its the dissolution of the association established around Karim. Since his death the paperwork must be tweaked so anyone who was a member of the association has to agree to the changes. If you can't get there (the old gallery) there is a paper to sign instead - contact Pierre Cros.
Apropos, there is a new association in town at the old Honey Museum. Any artist wanting to show there should turn up and ask for Elvira.

-Its hot here!! The only photos I have of recent events are useless, generally a sign of over-hilarity. Still writing in the cafe since I still don't have working internet connection at home.

Just missed a gorgeous photo opportunity - Pete standing on the roof of the Landrover handing a bicycle down to Annie:)

the weeks' follies

Jack photographed this hare on the mountain with his phone; very taken with the image. Wonder if the beast can pick up a signal with those ears... still no working internet at home. Lets not talk about that and rejoice in the fact that one can drink coffee and chat to friends in Luc's bar where he has free connection.

 

 Cant remember what happened when so here in no especial order are  Marco, who gave me and Kat an apero in his studio sometime; Clare who was briefly here with Pete before pushing off to Spain - hope they're OK. (My school chum Maureen who was also here is currently holed up and held up by the fires there and writes full of praise for the rescue workers and aid available for the stranded.) (as I write the bombardiers are flying overheard - the fires must be moving nearer, oh la)

Heres Clare, above,  and Pete and Kat and Claer at the wine fest at the station, by the dinosaur museum, at Luc's - despite the sudden drop in temperature a very agreeable night and one that is going to be repeated in other Esperaza bars, the Pont and the PMU. Both Oliver of the Pont and Alain of the PMU were in attendance obviously sussing the form. Nice music from a group of young and able persons and wine from Anne de Joyeuse.

 And behold!!!! Marcus and Corella-  that was on Sunday, caught them rushing through Esperaza. They will be in residence for a couple of weeks, I think. Sooooooooo good to see them:) (cant find symbol for little heart, please insert here in your imagination)

 Today Captain H leaves for London with Claer, Rick and Jack.

They will be missed....

 Here we are celebrating Ric and Claers wedding anniversary at the Chateau des Ducs de Joyeuse last night  http://www.chateau-des-ducs.com/  fantastic meal and great ambiance

 -and here is a photo of the otter Claer and I saw in the river as we walked to Campagne only it was too quick but it is there honest; terrifically exciting.

Anyone out there able to mend internet connections?

formidable folly

Still off line, sigh,  but have made up the missing links in the last three entries from Luc's, the bar l'Origyn'l, which provides free Wi-Fi. Blessings on Luc! Where there is a wine festival tonight, BTW.
So, in the off-lineness of things, I have failed to blog Marureen and Keith, who have been and come (but might be back -) and Bob plus Claer and Rick and Jack who are still here and might get blogged yet.
Here is Hatti though, taken at her vernissage; her exhibition is on at Carmens, Les Arts et Cadres at Campagne sur Aude - highly recommended.

Party at the end of town, 13th July

Aileen and Olle Bendick did us proud with a dinner in the garden on Friday - usual suspects plus some new friends, the exciting and interesting sort one associates with parties at the end of town. Here are Kat and Annie and Jean-Noel and Carmen attempting to hide- and the good OB himself, doing heaven knows what with Jean-Noel.

Getting home late we heard the music from the square but as habitues were able to sleep through it.  In the morning I caught the place being swabbed down - obviously a good night:)

Paella for Bastille Day 14th July

 Lovely pic of my friend Helen who came to stay for Bastille Day - seen here with Scottish Dave (also looking lovely). We ate massively in the little square behind the school, Kir apero, melon and starter with rose, totally delicious paella with red, tarte tartine with coffee. The obligatory conga followed...

enjoyed here by Ryan and Jon (Tobys brother) and all. I pleaded age and laziness and finished more wine.

Then it was the fireworks. The fire brigade closed the two bridges effectively sealing us off from the world. Then they set off explosives from the 12th century bridge which is an ancient monument of the   very robust type.

La Tour de France 15th July

 As ever La Tour shot through Esperaza and we all had fun on the road. They send promotional vehicles through before the cyclists to whip up fervour, throwing out freebies some of which are above - we scramble to recieve such benedictions. Here Ferren, below, is wearing a free hat.

 Below is Helen who stayed for the Bastille feast last night, having a little rest from the excitement and below her the Scottish Daves relax by the roadside.

All human life was there, in short - then zip bang!Phew - a blur of flashing legs and a mass of wheels whisked past and over the hill. 
I'm prepared to swear that I was smiled on by a streak of yellow as I yelled Brad Lee Brad Lee:) 

Karim Guerguer 17 June1969 - 12 July 2012

It is a shock to the people of Esperaza to find that Karim died yesterday morning of a heart attack, at the absurdly young age of 43.
He was the founder and director of Galerie K (by the town hall); a remarkable painter and an unpredictable force. His history has been rather well chronicled as he was popular in France, having learned his trade in prison from another prisoner and been transformed by the practice. This made good TV and he had a decent following of admirers and collectors.
There are a couple of affectionate obits in l'Independent and the Midi Libre which aren't available on line today but will be tomorrow -
Pierre Tribillac gave Karim his studio here and has watched his interests for many years. Much love to him.

I'm off-line at the moment awaiting the engineer, writing at Lucs in l'Originy'l, so this is terse. More anon.

Toby's back

 Toby's back home in Esperaza and to prove it here is Leo shooting a blanquette cork at my studio window, closely watched by my dog Lily and many friends (Tobys brother  and family, the Scottish Dave clan, Elaine, Sian, Ryan and Alecia, Steve and Iain, Kat and perhaps others)

Below is Tita who got the sort straw and had to serve us at Le Creperie - which is very very good. Many thanks to Iain and Steve who took us out. They were turning away punters all night, you have to book at this time of year.

Talking of booking; to join in the 14th July party - paella, Kir, stuff - you have to book now. The tabac Linares or the boulangerie artisanales (Rue Ellie Sermet not the FourNil in Victor Hugo) will flog you a ticket for 12 euros. They all say this is good value. Do it soon as places are limited.

...As I was saying before I was so rudely interupted

Tilling-sur-Aude is become Esperaza Follies, much the same thing but without literary references.

Et voila! Chris and Mary at T Rex- me and Steve below, ditto

 Leo, of course, grafting away (Toby arrives tonight)

 Heres our Iain looking very manly, visiting till tomorrow with Steve (below), looking adorable as ever

 Last night was apero in the garden and another Ryan-and-Alecia special dinner; Scottish Dave and El were present with Steve and Iain and me and the Captain (who leaves today, alas) Sorry not to have a photo of El who lets face it is a lot better looking than her husband but havent got the measure of the camera yet. Night shots baffle.

 Heres a morning shot:) Off to clear up now