vernissaged again

  Lifted more from Susie's facebook photies - here are Ceri, Aileen, Atmo and Michelle (back row) and me and Roge; below is an irresistable image of Ferren; below that all of us again plus Nick. There was a great turnout at the Cafe de Fa- check out Susies page if you use f/b.
The event was to show a collection of works from the group Artthe. We meet every monday morning (10 -12) to draw from the life, no tuition, no nuffin but a nude and two hours of companionable silence. We share the costs of the model fee which averages out to 5euros. All welcome! We meet on the first floor of the MJC, Centre Culturel, in Esperaza. Bring your own materials.

And this week we have two models, Nick and Julie, both yoga practionioners. Nick is a professional model of long-standing; unmissable

vernissaged

Forgot the camera - turns out not to matter one jot as Susie had hers and posted to facebook, from whence I managed to transfer this glorious image of Ceri, me, Bob, Atmo and Ellie being cool in the Cafe de Fa. Good fun there  and when we got thrown out we hoofed it to Esperaza for Jims show, which went very well too.

Photos as and when I can nick them.

Dinner followed at St Gobains where Margaret and John were hoping to escape detection, followed by Aileen and OB and friends looking for sustenance.


As is customary, it was an excellent meal in a stimulating atmosphere:)

some sun, some wind, some rain

John came round yesterday in the morning to explore my attic gallery of past collections... here are his feet.

Below, Bob and Alison explore Bobs new site and Richard looks on. They came to lunch from over the side of Carcassonne and we had the starter in the garden, rest in house, back to the garden for coffee. Sometimes its hot, sometimes its cold, sometimes it rains... difficult to plan anything at this time of year.

TONIGHT is easy however :)
First is the vernissage of the Artthe group at the Cafe du Fa, 5 -7, followed at 7.00 by Jim Barty's vernissage at Cristelles gallery in Esperaza. An evening of art and artists that will be fabulous fun. See y'all there!

 

thursday movements

It seems only fair that once every two years Ryan and Alicia should have time off - especially as they have about 6 weeks before  baby Etienne is born, making holidays impossible for 16 years. So here they are, heading for Montpelier. We forgot its the feast-day of the Ascension and therefore buses change timetables but remembered in time to get them to Carcassonne before it became difficult to make their connection. Then of course they were early.  All is well though. Nice breakfast in Carcassonne.

And here is Jim, back with Toby, giving Bad Uncle Leo a hand...
and Bob and I had apero with  John and Margaret at Luc's and then dinner at the Creperie. No photos ; you know what they look like by now:)
We are looking after Leroy and Tango the parrot and the vast ginger cat, Freddie. So far Leroy has fallen for the neighbours dog, Tango is practicing blackbird and Freddie is starving.

Ceret

Me and Margaret bunked off to Ceret - here we are admiring a collection of paperbacks:) A lot of the modern art museum is closed for renovation so missed Tapies, Picasso and Soutine - on the plus side a couple of lovely Dufy watercolours and two Chagalls were available for close examination. It was a beautiful day on all levels until we wandered off, when the rain arrived. Got wet. We dried out though.

Europe over?

 Ah! The innocence of yesterdays vide grenier.... the weather held until late afternoon. The predictions for the Europeans elections followed and today it seems that the dream may be ending. Huge - about 25 % across countries - rejection of immigration. Thats when the rain started and today it continues.
If Scotland goes for independence, I guess that's where we move to.

After dinner moth

 Got in late last night. Greeted by the whirling and twirling of another deaths-head hawk moth about the size of a dinner plate. The last one to visit had a very fine skull painted on its abdomen, this poor critter didn't show its body as it had exhausted itself scaring the dog (Lily was terrified; wouldn't come in the house)
It is more of a monkey-head hawks moth - perhaps its evolving?

Both camera and fishing net were to hand...





I was out late because Andy and Louise gave me a delicious dinner:) Great nosh - great conversation -
the rarely-spotted Jon was there too and apart from the fact that they let me ramble on about the hard lot of the artist (Ouch! Sorry chaps) it was a gem.
The night before that, I cooked for John and Margaret and remembered that cooking is an art that needs full attention. I remembered this too late for the meal, alas. Burnt rice and undercooked fish ensued. My guests were unfailingly amusing and unfazed; I will do better next time.

I've voted already, if you are registered DON'T FORGET European elections today. Also vide greniers in Esperaza and Couiza, yeeeeah ha!
Weather persists in being good despite dire warnings.

Lunch at the Mill

 Perfect summer lunch at Annie and Petes with Simone and Michel, Gus and Theo - newly awarded his BA, as can be seen in the photo where he displays his new-found sense of gravitas.

After lunch Alecia and I went cherry-picking at Andrees - turns out that Oswald is a fan.

Then the weather turned and it rained and blew and stormed.


This morning seems OK if a bit misty.

Girls night in

 Louise has revealed a talent for dressmaking and knitting and crochet-work and has started an occasional evening where we can all come and play. It involves wine and cake and chatter plus making stuff; wonderful!

Here are Lou and Kelly, Victoria and Alicia and our Kat getting measured.

Rainy and windy in Esperaza

Not a lot happening and the weather is rubbish. Kat and I took coffee this morning at Luc's where we happened on two Margarets, a  Barbara and a Mike doing the same  - and for our edification, a speed trap was established outside the cafe. Here our local law-enforcers wait to challenge miscreants.

Below is a photo from Merrie Englande, taken in Horsham whilst visiting my sweet sister Polly. Amazing what they get up to there.

 

Back in harness

Got back yesterday afternoon - lovely Jo was on the 'plane so I hitched a lift home with her and Roy. Which meant I could have a bath and meet Kat and Elaine for an evening drink at Lukes bar; from whence to Robins' St Gobain for dinner with Toby and Leo.

Soooooooooo good to  be back:)

Below Toby and Leo is a snap of the market -  all is well in this best of all possible worlds - which was followed by lunch at mine with Annie and Pete and Gus. Then to Andrees where I watched open-mouthed as the males amoungst us swarmed up her cherry trees and denuded them. Forgot camera, alas.