Monday, phew

Le Healthy last night - with Andy and Lindsay, here to empty their house prior to the sale. Trying to impress on them the need to buy another Esperaza house, smaller and easier to manage. Can't imagine life without them and Max and their friends and family...

Knackered though, due to hanging an exhibition of my paintings in Quillan. It's open till July 8th.

 Old baths, opposite the station, by the statue of the Pretre du Trou (which I love). The priest in question got all the Quillan able bodied up in the mountain and hammered a hole through the Pyrenees so traffic could move easily - the tunnel still called the Trou du Pretre. Worth a visit !

Inauguration

 High in the mountains above Campagne-sur-Aude lurks the new Centre d'Art Contemporain... off we set last night, all agog :)

Many friends are exhibiting; Aileen Hennes, Lila Mervoyer, Sasher Bruges, Micham , Anne-Marie Millet, Victoria Milroy and Helene Verger. The place was rammed and it was hard to see the work but the show is up till October so we'll be back -

Access and exit were hard because its a twisty single track and there were many art lovers out in their cars. We couldn't park. Leapt out, had a shufty, got caught up in more traffic. Such a pity. Beautiful show and location, none the less.

Aileens speech, above - couldn't get near - below, some of Mitchams sculptures -

and here is Pierre from Magrie, having a rest.

Lacking the customary apero at the vernissage, we legged it to Tout l'apero where other casualties of the parking where likewise engaged. Thence to the Tibetan takeaway. Life is good!

****apropos art, I'm hanging an expo in Quillan tomorrow (Old baths, opposite the station - easy access) I guess it'll be open by the afternoon. It's on for 2 weeks and vernissage is 4th July, 4 -6. All welcome.

La Vie...

Father Matthews last night, flaunting his wisdom... and here is Collette, friend of Margaret 

and Bob, John and Bill. Much nattering and delight in finding kindred souls. Fed on melon, risotto, fake pavlova.

This mornings' snap of Alain and Tony. Really needs a caption but I don't dare.

 

Home again phew

Back in our Esperaza paradise, sighing with relief, to find that things have changed. Many things, probably.

For one thing, there is a new takeaway - of Tibetan food. 

Bob had the great good sense to take me there when I arrived in France last night and the food is perfect. Highly, enormously, recommended. 
 

More things to report later. Too dazed right now.

Chocks away...

 I'm off to Blighty for a fortnight to see my kith and kin- 

here's a rose that Bob grew, stripy coloured. 

More as and when :)

celebrations

 It's our wedding anniversary - 22 years - and Di has all but moved into her new house in St Ferriol, so there is much to celebrate. Hey ho to the Poulet en Velo! next to the lake...

Our salad was served
with chips and we helped Bob eat his pizza, on account of an excess of Pina Coladas. 

The rain held off until just now. Feel blessed :)

Back home

Back from our extensive tour to the tender mercy's of Esperaza - and dinner with Louise and Norbert, which latter can be seen here warming his hands over a flambé of obscene deliciousness at the creperie.

Marvellous and interesting and indeed fascinating though it is to see the world, prefer it here.

 

Experaza foodies

Next week will see the opening of an Argentinian takeaway in the square, on the corner opposite the Post Office and next to Jean-Lins gaff. Here are the agreeable couple who run it, working hard to get ready - 

Last night was La Chapaire, to celebrate Phils birthday and of course (being Thursday) to eat Moules Frites. And birthday cake. By great good luck Regina and Dougie happened along and got dragged in. Here is Phil, pondering the cake and no doubt the pension that now awaits him.

et voila, The Captain; back on Weds from his lonely time in the UK and happily getting stuck into veal on a skewer with a smashing salad. And chips. 

 I'II be quiet for a few days as me and Le Capt cruise the med. Oh la.