Bank fest

 Many things are strange for the Brits living in France and last night was a good example. If you have a savings account with your bank you belong to a co-op and have a responsibility to participate in mutual stuff, or as its called a 'moment of conviviality'.  

About 100 people turned up last night to a posh gaff in Limoux, to listen to speeches and have a drink, a bit of a meal and to listen to the band. Bob said it was like an AGM. 

The only AGMs I've ever been to were very low key... this had quite delicious nibbles and barbequed lumps of meat and prawn and of course premier bulle blanquette. The speeches indicated that the banks' money was being spent on local green issues and some recipients of the dosh made little speeches to prove it  - all most worthy - though one can't help but wonder who paid for the feast.

Therese Martinez RIP

 Very saddened to hear of the death of Therese Martinez. Another great Esperaza character gone.

The oldies among us will remember her - indeed, never forget her! - as the photographer of the local press.  She was a legend in her day; fearless and prone to demanding that official functions be re-run for her camera, should she disapprove of the setting or happened to have arrived late for the ceremony. Incredibly, no-one minded and all obliged. 

She had been absent for the last few years due to poor health - but was a respectable 85 at her death.

Commiserations to Christine her daughter and to all her family. 

Off with the OFF

 Our revels now are ended.... the OFF is over. 

Bob cooked a lunch for many friends, the first of the season held in the garden. 

Many visitors to the garden gallery evaded my camera but here are Nel, Pete and Humbert, in that order

Usually I come out of my own exhibitions saying never again, but this event was a joy - thanks to all and see you next year :)

OFF and on...

Another day in the garden gallery, which is a delight for me. The sun shines, friends drop in, people buy art. Though some of them, like Rushton (below) just check their photos to see how much of my art they already own.

The event has been a success so far and Bob kindly took me out to dinner to celebrate, to the new restro in town. The food is much the same as it was when it was the Donkey Shot but the place is quite different, very comfortable and French homey.

There's a vide grenier today, allegedly at the riverbank or possibly at the school, will check (naturally) - opening the gallery at 10.30. See you there??
 

OFF we go -

Here's another OFF in Esperaza, 

and here are Bee and Derek, who visited with Gracie and friends at my  OFF  yesterday,

and Nora and her grandchild Armandier (different dog from Gracies, this one is pregnant)

and Lizzie Jackson - There were many other visitors - really fun and successful day :)

 Open again today 10 - 12, 3 - 6 sort of thing. 

...and we're OFF

Robin and Yuri inspect the stock, above, and the captain pauses for breath after hanging the bunting.

Please come! In front of the Centre Culturel in Esperaza - all welcome :)

 

Artistes a Suivre

 After two years absence, our joyful arts festival is back! 26 - 29th May... the catalogue is out, or can be viewed at artistesasuivre.org. The unofficial artists exhibit here and there, on what's known as the OFF - and what with being anarchists there is no directory. However:

Here's Hatti, showing in St Jean de Paracol - Kat will open her gallery in Esperaza on Saturday and Sunday - I will be opening the gallery in the courtyard for the duration (entrance in Rue St Saens, opposite the Centre Culturel) Will post news of other exhibitions as they reach me. 

Other news; Robin is back, Yuri has arrived. Much catching up getting done.

Can't get any fresher.

 Max - mercifully bored - drove me to Leucate today for oysters. They are grown on bits of string and pulled up when big enough to be eaten, right there. The white wine that is served with them is local but I was too engaged to take notes.

Here is our charming friend and neighbour Msr Louis, aka Le Patriarch, just before returning to his official home on the cote d'azur. His holiday home is here in Esperaza. He is 92 and says I must take photos because he'll die soon - but he shows more vivacity than most of us. He'll be back in October for the mushrooms and has promised me a pannier.  

turn your back for a minute...

Been in Loughborough (middle of middle England) for a week, and on returning yesterday evening find the place has been undergoing a heatwave (unlike Loughborough) and that the ex-T- rex has relocated opposite the bus stop as Le Jardin d'Ines. Missed the opening last night on account of being wrecked and not yet bumped into anyone who was there but will report back asap....

Looks good anyway. And here, joy joy, is the fripperie at the market today. Got some summer trousers. And a couple of big plastic bags to store les patalons de l'hiver in.

 Brill to be back :)

Meli-melo

A mixed bag of recent snaps.... here is the captain apparently fondling Reginas thigh :) And here is Max, back in the fold if jet lagged -

Lunch yesterday at the Auberge du Faby, which has a new chef and was jolly good - here are Jean and John and Bob and Rushton, who gave us coffee in his chateau and then joined us for lunch - 

and the day before at La Serpent, lunch with Pete and Clare (and Annette and Cen and the two Lady Di's) - marvellous -

Here's one of the Di's, dappled in the sunshine - regret that I didn't snap the other but I expect she'll make an appearance here soon :)

 

Gallimaurfry

Having in-laws here in fine weather means a deal of tourism, hurrah - Above is St Anne teaching the virgin to read (on a pillar opposite Notre Dame de Marcielle above Limoux) and here are the caves of the Abbe de St Hilarie, where the first sparkling white wine ever was made - now a health drink called Blanquette de Limoux -

The abbey has been done up and the process of restoration continues. We really enjoyed our visit. Recommended. 

Followed by lunch at LeClerc, ditto :)

The evening saw a cluster of in-laws around Phil and Ziggies bbq - Jamsie joined in for the fun of the thing, after the family had taken tea in his chateau. Here is his dog Masher who had learnt to play with Bellen, Ziggies dog -

And today....

Back 5000 plus years, and lunch by the canal du Midi at Homps. 

 

Busy Sunday

Micheal Lovely was 80 years old yesterday and was celebrating at the Cafe de Fa - where Diane Dunn was playing, seen here singing with her Dad Peter and brother Louis. Unforgettable afternoon :)

Before that we were at the vide grenier at Esperaza, as were most of the known world. Marvellous to see all our friends out in the sunshine. Here's Jean buying a new hat.

 This beautiful fellow turned up in the impasse but didn't make it through the night - huge and gorgeous and short lived. Other drama is that parrot Rico, who has fallen deeply in love with brother-in-law John, attacked Jean (his partner) in a fit of jealous rage; biting her foot between the toes and causing a deal of bleeding. Rico getting a taste for blood. Oh dear.

les trois freres

 The Harris seniors at the creperie last night :)

Busy Esperaza

Busy day for the esperazannaise tomorrow.... apart from the usual market, there is a vide grenier by the river (also, for those disposed to travel, at Coustassa and Alet-les-bains).  There is a ramble leaving the Espace Louis Alibert at 8.00 am to help the fight against cancer -5 euros participation - and a football match at the stadium at 3.00. 

AND most importantly - Diane Dunn is performing at the Cafe de Fa at lunchtime, where she will most likely be joined by her brother Louis and dad Peter Dunn. What a treat :) 
 

Shameless self-pub.

The very dynamic Cafe de Fa has a site with all their events.... here it is, featuring petite moi and lovely Diane Dunn

 Cafédefa: WEDNESDAY, MAY 4, EXHIBITION: OUR FRIEND A.RMYTH DROPS OUT OF OUR CIMAISES TO MAKE WAY FOR THE TALENTED VANILLA BEER FROM ESPÉRAZA! (xn--cafdefa-dya.com)

Today is your last chance to see the paintings at the Grande Cafe in Limoux - me and Annette are taking them down this afternoon. Still, work is up at Wills in Rennes-les-Bains and of course at the cafe de fa. Should you be madly interested, there is a little gallery of my paintings here in Esperaza and also a major collection in storage. View by appointment.

Weather here is very mixed, one minute lovely then cold and dark and blowy. Kat is in Corsica where it is raining. 

Esperaza post office computer has gone down, same in Quillan - it is OK in Couiza, if you have the means to get there. No-one knows why the machines are dead but the staff cheerfully accepted my postulation of demonic possession.

Mahila ahoy!

Rue de la Republique has a surprise at number 1; Mahila has opened a very cute shop there, Indian and Nepalese imports - the stuff l usually go to Toulouse to get. Prices are really low and the selection is great.  

 Christian Hadengue and I have just finished hanging my show at the Cafe du Fa. What with the Grande Cafe in Limoux and Wills Place in Rennes les Bains, you can't move without tripping over my oeuvre -

May 8th is the hot date at the Cafe du Fa, when Diane Dunn will be performing with her band and sundry members of her family :) Booked my table for all the Harris men and their partners. Book fast if you want lunch as well as an ear/eye full -

May 1st....

...was lovely, smashing market day - everybody out and about including Saveria, seen here looking sooooo well again -

and Alexander and James who have done all the paperwork to form an association (considerable task) in order that we may have music - the VOX VALLIS, magic!

 Today, yup, raining. But only gently and intermittently. AND Toby and Leo are back :)