Farewell Jim

 Today is the final farewell to Jim Barty. Kate will be ash-scattering up the Poux at 3.00 and the convivial re-homing of his paintings will happen at Richards Gallery from 3.30 till about 7.00. Kat will be hosting as I'm excluded due to covid-exposure. Kat will do the photography so full report later. 

Friday morning in Esperaza

The morning sun doing its best to burn off the mists - mornings here are so beautiful - also they are the only time available to me now as Bob and I are in lockdown till Tuesday. Had a close-confined  lunch on Sunday where one of the guests has tested positive. Le Capt and I both tested  negative but the government guidelines expect us to self-isolate for 10 days, so we will.

Info; the pharmacy opposite the town hall tested us, me free as holder of a carte vitale, captain 26 euros. Charming (except that they stick something up a nostril, ouch) and restults in 15 mins.

No idea whats happening here but here's the school, some ladders and what appears to be a roof party.

Talking of parties; because I'm under house arrest with covid-contact it will be Kat hosting the event on Sunday. Do go and have fun without me -
**** Kate  will be scattering the ashes up the Poux at 3.00, before the event - all welcome.

advance warning

 

Sunday at 3.30 is the celebration of  Jims life and work - which will take place at Richards Gallery in Esperaza. 

His paintings will be on display and any of his friends will be invited to take one and give it a good home - 

Bob is contributing some wine and I will be laying on the plastic cups... do come and share Jim stories :)

Donkey shot

Max organised us all for a large meal at Donkey shot (aka Don Quichotte) ( or similar) and most convivial it was too... Michel was playing and was greatly admired. 

Below are fairly random snaps of the 18-odd folk who were there - food generally better than had been expected since the place has had a bad press for some time. Pricey though.

 We all trotted in clutching our pass sanitaires, being good citizens; they were ignored. 

Possibly a dangerous place for the vunerable?  No record of caualties yet :) 

So this is good-bye to Max - of to Lithuania to be rebuilt - and with luck will be back on December 29th having spent Christmas in the air. We have to start planning New years Eve now.

exposing

Yesterday was spent cleaning and stocking the gallery for Jims celebratory party. Save the date; Sunday October 31st, from 3.30 onwards. Very kind of Richard to let us use his place - perfect. 

In the evening Marcus and Jamsie and Bob and I fell a-plotting a new project, most exciting. More of that anon (no doubt) as things become solidified.

We ate at the creperie - again - and again, enjoyed it. Laid off the cognac this time :)

 

flaming pud

 My pictures of John and Margaret are dreadful so here is a snap of the young waiter at the creperie, firing our puddings... think he must be the only one of the staff double vaxxed and he was forced to work very hard. Three tables of brits; one with two french women.

The lady in the post office was unnaturally pleased to see me yesterday. People are awful, she said. They wont wear masks, they are tense and aggressive and she is always on the phone to the gendarmes. 

Erm, thats it - off to scub out Richards gallery in preparation for Jims paintings. 

celebrate survivors /celebrating surviving

When the masks started to come off and people were allowed into cafes, I took to spying on them and doing drawings, then watercolours - so thrilled to see the faces of strangers. Now the amazing Pauline Lancaster has printed them onto fabric and sewn then up as bunting, so they really are being celebrated.

 Will be hanging them out somewhere properly soon - at the moment they are strung up in the little gallery. Overwhelmed by Paulines skills.

Had a seriously good lunch today with Captain Harris, Marcus and Jamsie. Very good company. We dawdled long into the afternoon ....

Another prodigal return

 Bruno visited yesterday, as I was waiting for the exhausted Captain to return... most of the day was devoted to trying to let people know that Jims funeral isn't really attendable as the director has recommended against it. Kate is the maitre d' for the event on the part of the family and she will be hosting in the car park at Trebes. Weird old life eh. 

Captain made it home, toally wrecked. And not from having too much fun without me. Feel somewhat guilty. Somewhat.

Stop press... Jim Barty funeral

 Kate, who is acting for Jims sister, has been advised by the funeral directors that it is not a good idea to go to the funeral.

 It will take place at Trebes tomorrow, 13.30 as planned, but due to the fact that Jim has been dead for 2 months and the embalming was only a temporary measure, there are difficulties...

...so, Jim; always surprising.  

Late for his own funeral.

Party on the 31st will carry on though. Best bring a bottle.

Return of the prodigal

Marcus turned up, having been in the Hotel des trois couronnes in Carcassonne the same time as me and Robert and Frank on Saturday - we just didn't spot each other - 

He was en route to La Franqui to clear out of the appartment there, which he and Corella have sold. Naturally I went too.  Fond memories for many Esperazannaise, who have stayed there over the years; all a bit sad but other projects beckon.

Lunch in that smashing sea-front fish restraurant which was great for me but a bit rough on Marcus, who dosn't eat fish... he watched me having a feast (platter fruits de mer, brochette de noix de St Jacques) and this rhum baba, perhaps a reference to the anit-covid injections?

This is me shadow dancing on the deserted beach (after the rhum baba) and below, amazing sunset on the mountains on the way home.

 

Cacassonne for dinner

 Frank and Robert took me to Carcassonne - they wanted to see the old town lit up at night so we tried the hotel des trois couronnes, at the base of the old bridge and with the best possible view of la cite.

During the pandemic it's had a make-over. It's now called Tribe and has groovy spaces and hip menus. Mecifully it has kept the view - and built a terrace on the top for proper observation.

The interesting things on the menu were not available so we had burgers. Frank and Robert had never had burgers that you eat with a knife and fork! These were in a chef- made brioche with strong cheese, serrano ham, salads and of course a patty of minced and rare meat. 

New in Town

Heres father Matthews with his veiled lady, arrived yesterday after a gruelling drive all the way from Ireland... both looking good and fit to stay with us a while

 Mike with his alarmingly beautiful family, at breakfast -

And my old chum Frank Mosborough who arrived yesterday from Toronto with his partner Robert. They are staying for the weekend - we have been round the town a few times and bumped into friends - last night went to the almost deserted creperie. Which was perfect for us but it was sad to see that the staff are so worried.

 

But is it art?

 

Of course it is.... the river bed has been crafted by aliens (=version of crop circles) and very nice too. Might try and edition a series of prints of it all, twinkling as it does in the sunshine.

And Micheal is art all over as is Barbara who wont let me photograph her. They gave me a fab dinner which made me feel both nourished and cherished. Bisouxxxxxxxxxx a deux

Weds night out in Esperaza

What are the chances... discovered that Fran had been thown out of a Dublin pub with Seamus Heaney and that Jude had worked with him, helping produce a play he'd written. Famous Seamus lives on in Esperaza 

An extremely jovial night; I had work commitments and couldn't come out to dinner but joined the team for a well-deserved last glass in the creperie (note: pass sanitaire obligatoire) We moved on to Toby and Leos, and gave Jude a proper farewell.

Heres young Leo and below, Mr and Mrs Scottish Dave

The voice of sanity is getting hoarse, (as I'm sure Seamus has written somewhere.)

La Vie...

Here's Katherine, a new artist in our midst, hurrah!! She has bought this pretty and ancient house in a back road in Rouvanac - I inspected it yesterday and look forward to being invited back. Hint hint.

We both lunched with Jamsie at his Chateau at St Ferriol - in the garden, as it was a beautiful, hot and sunny day. He did us proud though conversation often succumbed to the overpowering view :)

After a suitable rest, I joined Max and Andrea and Jude in a quest for an open resturant. No-one eats out on a Tuesday, apparently. Finally we found the eaters packed into the Pierre Lys at Quillan, where the owner and chief waitress are evidently immortal, not having altered in at least 20 years since we first started going there.

Andy greeting the calvados/blanquette and sorbet pud with pleasure; and below, Max and Jude having demolished theirs. Stoically.

Jude is leaving us for Westminsters Palace, poor lamb, and Max and Andy are here a little longer before their trip to Lithuania. 
 

GRAND DAY

Phil and Sigrid drove me to the eye surgeon in Limoux, pausing only for a classic lunch at the Grande Cafe in the square. We had oysters; missed most of the menu du jour on account of arriving rather late, but did ourselves proud anyway. Lively place, reliable and good value. Plan to spend more time there.

 AND after months of neurotic twitching I have been told that my eyes are fine and the cataracts operation has released the pressure in the eyes thereby clearing the glaucoma, allelujia! ('Happens sometime' said laconic surgeon) Phew.

Sunday lunch

 Very jolly lunch yesterday with Gert and Elsbeth and their Norwegian friends - non-stop chatter and laughter and marvellous food :) Big thanks to Elsbeth for her hard work and the pleasure of sharing company...

The market is becoming autumnal, it is thinner than the summer version and less packed with folk. There is time to hang out and talk comfortably without being crushed to death. Met with Jamsie and new-girl-in town (Rouvenac actually) Katherine, plus many other mates out shopping.

Todays news is that The Captain is in London, being missed by his parrot and all the family. While his back is turned, two little love-birds have been re-homed into a larger flock where they will be happier, being social beings. House a lot quieter now.

Esperaza meets Egypt

 Our friends at the 8 a 8 have put up a computer showing pictures of their recent holiday in Egypt. When you are shopping you can check out the Nile and Luxor - what service :)

Our Kat

 Mice stop play, Kat back!!! Alive and well after visiting family at l' Isle de Brexit. No idea what the instrument is...

Only other news is that me 'n' captain ate thanks to Pizza/Snack opposite the newsagents in Rue Gambetta last night. Capt had a burger and I the plat de jour - filet of dorade with rice. They do a terrific home made tiramitsu too. Recommended.

Highly convivial...

...an evening with Gert and Elsbeth, what a treat - back from their Copenhagen home to the real world  of Esperaza. They are with us for nearly a month unless they can be prevailed upon to stay.

A smalll blot on our horizon is that Chez Charlies are going on holiday. I asked to where? And was told, out of Esperaza.

 

Goodbye to Dr Sandmann

 

The old church in Autignac was overflowing with Georg's friends and family - a simple ceremony followed by interment in the graveyard. We were invited to place a flower (that he had grown) on the coffin. Very moving.

There was a party at his family house afterwards, scheduled to last all afternoon; alas, I have other commitments. 

So it's goodbye to another of Esperaza's characters. He won't be forgotten. 

Micheal and a link...

 

No escape ! Micheal Henehan thought he could take a train and buses to Fa from Berlin without being spotted - but we got the same bus, ha! There is a bus strike so the usual arrangements were altered and we both opted for the same option, if that isn't too tautological...

Anyway, he's back to Berlin tomorrow so I was terribly lucky to have the hours trip home with him, catching up.

You may think I spend all my time feasting and having fun - if only!!! I also have a day job and it is apropos of this that I'm doing some shameless self-publicity. Alors; a podcast featuring an effort of mine, book about my Papa and his work and our family. You may not want to listen but if the spirit moves you, heres the link:

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