Impenitent

Olle-Bendik, Didier Bourdon, Jean-Noel Cuenot and Sabrinas back

 The glitterati of Esperaza flocked to the Galerie l'Impenitente in Mirepoix last night to see Aileen Hennes new paintings. Looking at the photo above I can't help thinking that Aileen chooses her friends to go with her work :)

Ole-Bendik Madso and Peter Dunn

Didier Bourdon, Ferren Mcintyre, Capt Bob

 Many of her friends are actually in the paintings, Ferren (above) being a case in point. Had I had my wits about me I'd have tried to snap people in front of their portraits.

Aileen Hennes

 Finally able to relax after hanging the show and welcoming her guests, here is Madame l'Artiste realising that she is a success - below, Ferren and O-B  swapping beard stories-

 Was rather pleased with this portrait of Gunter who with his wife Sabrine used to own the Auberge de Faby - they have lately sold it to a couple from a Rouvenac family so  it'll be back on the circuit soon. Lovely to see them out and about again...

 ...and Dave! Not seen for an age. Dee was there too and they had to endure the usual where's dozybeakymickandtich jokes.

 Heres three of several pictures of Phil who has announced on Facebook that he is laid low with pleurisy at the moment


and what would have been a beautiful photo of beautiful Annie had it been in focus.

Annie Bowyer, Ferren McIntyre, Sabrina

 No idea who the clarinet player was - though he was very good, providing just the right tone for the evening - nor whom the artist on-the-floor was.

Here is the galleries' owner Madame la Baronne, with Dee (of Dave etc).

Kat, Le Capt and I ponced a lift off Peter Dunn and having had a lovely evening of art headed back to the car and the long ride home, only to get way-laid by a sign saying Fish'n'Chips, 6 Euros. Some sort of magnet. Nice unpretentious and cheap, in the  Cours Colonel Petitpied - highly recommended.

As is Aileens expo. It's on for 3 months and central to Mirepoix so if you are there, check it out.

PLEASE NOTE all friends of Andree - she has bronchitis at the moment which is causing her some distress but I don't think should deter visitors. Shes been told she must wear a mask to avoid infecting the other residents so if you do visit,  would you take a photo? When we were there yesterday it hadn't been delivered. Otherwise shes doing OK. Only 12 years to her 100th.