Stolen from Susie

Was regreting not taking the customary market snaps and then saw that Susie Harrison had put loads on facebook - and is a great photographer. For some reason I think this gives me carte blanche to steal them... hope you don't mind, Susie :) 

Above is the third policeman ostensibly lifting Daniels pocket though of course he isnt... below the same policeman enjoys the local drumming, whilst below that is a shot of the baker who always plays his banjo. You have to imagine the sounds and smells of the market until the technology becomes available.

Bravo Esperaza

Bob and I overnighted in l'lse-sur-la-Sorgue in order to close my exhibition there (which went very well, thank you). The journeys there and back were horrific, involving hot sun and intense traffic. Returning to Esperaza in time for the last of the night markets felt like being let out of prison - there were all our mates and the towns' bon viveurs, partying away under the full moon....  though poor Bob was too knackered to come out, I did his share of celebrating.

Looking at my photos this morning I reaslise they are the visual equivalent of drunken ramblings.

My main regret is that new-girl-in-town, Kelly, hasn't come out well. I'm sure there will be other opportunities to snap her - shes bought a house just off the market square opposite the post office. And she's an artist :)

There was no music. It had been advertised but the gossip was that they just hadn't turned up. Then they did, to everyones delight; scantily clad young women with frantically energetic bottoms dancing to two drummers and a whistle.

All the internationl community and the french residents agreed; its a pity the night markets are ended. Its been a lovely season. Thanks to all for their hard work in planning and realising the many events, the food, wine and jolly ambiance.

ineptitude pays off...

 Pete took pity on mine and Bobs' ineptitude and cooked us dinner - we addressed many serious issues and agreed that the young are terrific and may see us through. Despite it all. Bob isn't sleeping below, he is harnessing his energy to make another point. Great night, Pete, thanks :)

Things to note: The Monday night market will be on Saturday this week and is the last of the season. There are bands playing and it will be good. Come along.
The other is a tad more anxious making... Philippe, who got burnt in the Rue St Helene fire, has been diagnosed with tuberculosis. This means that the team that cared for him have been exposed to the virus and they are the local doctors and nurses - yup, those who move around the town dealing with the elderly, the frail, the ill. Get a test if you think you have a chance of exposure and don't fret, its easy in this day-and-age to deal with it.

Epoch ending

Frightfully fin de siecle last night, at Corrinnes farewell party. The usual suspects had a delightful evening trying not to get too nostalgic. The final signing - when Corrinne hands over her home to another - is on Thursday and the girl will be around a little longer before going to England where she will no doubt bloom and prosper and MISS US ALL (>sniff<)

Ive been pretty idle lately - forgot to report the circus which has been in town for three or four days -also forgot to photograph the strange selection of animals they tether by the river between shows. All gone now. Likewise Sunday nights' tour de force, Lotto in the square. The French love their Lotto (=Bingo) and concentrate profoundly while attempting to win hams and trays of meat.

Weather has turned autumnal suddenly, jumpers are being worn in the mornings.

Raining in France

The neighbours said that it was thanks to the prayers of the mantis that we didnt have rain for the market, which was indeed sunny and crowded. Brought out the artists. Cloudy and damp now though. 

Mantis on half-power probably.

Absent friends

Breakfast in Esperaza aint what it used to be.... OB and Steve this morning, plus a brief visit from Edith.

Bob on the mend - slowly -

and here is the bottom of the parrot cage.

fete du vin continuing...

The fete du vin sweeps sequentially through Esperaza, from one Cafe to another... last night was the turn of the Relais Occitan, Alains gaff. Tables in the square. Food by the new butcher, l'authentique and le Fournil bakery. Heres our friend Lizzie tucking in - shes visiting from St Hilaire and Southwark - brilliant to see her. Bob still unwell but wanting to spend time with Lizzie made the effort.
Today, alas, he is paying for it. Worth it though :)

We all know Therese! She takes the photos for l'Independent and secretly rules Esperaza.

Here are the other  Queens of the town - Kat, El and El's ma -

And random snaps, Pete in the best waistcoat in the world, the band Les Traitres who did the job excellently and Scottish Dave with a fast friend.

I spent the day in Carcassonne with my nephew Tom who is staying with friends in Toulouse - we went to the Dufy expo and a new show at the Maison des Memoires. Had lunch. Had a great deal of laughter. He returns to York by bus from Toulouse - for 20 quid. Student deal which might suit some readers... apropo, Tom is no longer a student. He's got a degree in law. Always handy to have a lawyer in the family.

family farewell

Its goodbye to the Harris tribe, currently packing proir to this mornings departure - last night we ate at the wonderful Poulet en Velo which has built an extention since we were last there, proof against inconstant weather. It has heaters and windows so all conditions catered for. Can still see the lake in comfort. The kids explored the chicken village with delight. Great night - except that Bob is ill. Hes returned from America in a sorry state. Doctors this morning.

unbloggable

 Last night **** and ****** - who don't like being blogged, alas - gave an apero so heres just a tiny bit of evidence ... It was a terrific party.

 Afterwards the hardier guests went to the night market. I'd arranged to meet the family there and just as well as there were no seats unless you were very early. The place was the packed-outest ever. Hats off to the mayor for organising this event which gets better and better:)

Here are  friends  Pele (don't know how to spell it) from the bakers in Rue Ellie Sermet  and Kevin from the creperie, hard at work.


Change is in the air. Not only is it cooler but people are leaving - John and Margaret tomorrow, ditto David and Kate; Bobs family too. Then Fran and Clare, Ann and Kieran. All too soon.

In case you don't know, there are people who have holiday homes here - the fair weather friends - and they troll off back to real life from time to time, leaving empty spaces in the life of Esperaza.

Sunday in the sun

The market was packed - too packed for me, I gave up early, but not before finding Shuff, seen here - in fine fettle and not visiting often enough IMHO. 

-our Kat was out - literally, as she couldn't get a signal in the gallery:)

 Then Kate gave a party to celebrate Dermots birthday. Here he is blowing out his candles, faster than the speed of my shutter

And introducing  Phil and Mandy from Rouvenac and York, plus their daughter Katie

 and Oscar! Unrecognisably adult, here with Saveria who is mysteriously getting younger.

The family continue to amuse themselves and cook for me, an arrangement that has our friends here gasping in jealousy.

Events, backwards

 Heres Jim Hankinson; out of the blue in time for lunch at the creperie. He has returned from his terrible time in hospital after a car crash, well, indeed  blossoming - and as engaging as ever.

Also notably unfazable. Going to put on my shoes, I reflexly kicked him with one - because there was a small toad in it. Both went flying. He was unpeturbed whereas I am still amazed.


While the rest of the family carried on sightseeing - today was Lastours-  we passed a lazy afternoon, chewing the fat and sorting a few philosophical issues.

 The morning was damp (=toad) and cloudy grey though it picked up by the evening. Heres a bit of  a house, from the back - and a bit of parrot and new friend china rabbit.

explosion au ville

 By the time I ambled round to Marys place - she was out, minding the English Library in Quillan - the pompiers were cleaning up. (see post below)

Philippe is being treated in Montpelier, say the neighbours; the jolly cross neighbours. Three houses are badly effected by the explosion and escaping with ones life was regarded as a blessing. I heard the blast, from a distance of a 4 min walk - it did occur to me that it was an explosion because I've heard them before but naturally I dismissed the idea as daft and thought it was one of those mysterious claps of thunder that occasionally happen. Struck me as odd that there was no rain following through. And that the dog wasn't fretting.

Nice to have an excuse to hang out in the street and chat though wish Philippe wasn't burnt -

Here today, gone tomorrow...

...though to be accurate (pedantic, even) it was here yesterday and gone this morning. The building by the tree, that is; last night at the night market (very good fun, as ever) it basked in the sunshine - this morning its being demolished to make life easier for car drivers.

Cheery council workers enjoying the job - its was an electrcicity substation sort of thing so no heartbreak involved:)

 More excitements; the Patisserie has built a sort of  enclosure in the car park so tables outside are assured -

and the rest of Bobs family arrived last night - here are James, Cathy and Emily settling in :)

There has apparently been an explosion in Philippes house behind Marys in the Rue St Helene; Philippe is the man much seen about town wearing a face mask. It seems he is quite badly burnt and many pompiers were called out at 2.00 this morning. Marys garden is full of debris. More anon but love to all involved x

Margarets' impromptu apero

 Margaret and John held an impromptu piss-up before the weather caved in... voila, Michel,  who sang the Hymne de la Esperazannaise, Micheline, who didn't, David and Yvonne who leave on Tuesday after gracing Esperaza for 11 days, seen here below with Scottish Dave and El...

                                                                                                                       Roland and Andy...

                        Andy and Margaret and Elvira ...

                                                                                      Ann...
 Our host John with Clare...

 Peter Dunn, who played and sang for us....

 Elvira...

                                                                     David...









Smashing evening.  Mille mercis to Margaret and John for their inspiration :)

Tomorrow Bob's brother, daughter-in-law and kids arrive in time for the Monday night market.
Bob is in Marthas Vineyard and the rest of the tribe are in Barcelona till later in the week.

The Big Event is the plumber, tomorrow, please god. Bigger than La Reine d'Angleterre, bigger than le president de la Republic... let it happen :0 I've been without hot water for over a month. No real probem in this heat but I long for a bath