bonnes paques

In an attempt to work off todays excesses l went for an evening totter to recycle the household gumph. The nearest point for recycling is behind the church which is always full and tonight was even more so. Next port of call is Rue des Jardins where the general recycling is generally available - it has a funny flap which must be opened to put the stuff in and its quite high up. Perhaps this explains why it is not overused.
There WAS room - hurrah - and there was Derek, just arrived from Chartres and ready for the challenges of restoring his large river-fronted Esperaza house. He took pity on my state and offered a cup of tea. The universal panacea. It worked.

I got the tour of the 

 lovely house and took this snap of a lime tree on his terrace, which he has been shaping into a giant basket.
 The reason I was frail was that the Rushtons had a lunch party for 14 and it was brill. Lamb and cake. Many friends and two people we hadn't met before who it turns out are near neighbours. Hoping we will meet up soon :)

 Another reason why I'm rather hors  de combat is an excess of chocolate. Here is a large tortured bunny on Derek Hills new book - excellent bunch of analysis of the formal processes of medieval heretic-hunting. 

As if these were not enough reasons to feel dreadful, the day started with a tuba player practising the Marseillaise under my bedroom window. It's the Festival des Hermits. That's the one where people wear bowler hats, white nighties and a black eye - don't ask, if I ever knew I've forgotten - and make a racket with a brass band. Charming. In principle. 

Many thanks to all for making this a memorable Easter. Really enjoyed it all even if I do sound grumpy; just over-stretched and elderly.