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:

New Books Network | Vanilla Beer and Allenna Leonard, "Stafford Beer:…

Exciting Sunday

Started off, of course, in the market - where this singer was performing Lachrimosa from Mozarts requiem, solo, castrato - brought the place to a halt! Wish I'd noted his name as he will do house calls for 150 euros and I want this at my funeral. Not for a while though -

We (Phil and Sigid and Bob and I) moved on to Magrie for their annual arts festival where we bought this gem from the artist Gerard Bertrand to add to our collection of his work. That is to say, to join the other one of his that we have.

Found Roge beavering away - his engaging record of the area and its activities can be found on 

 www.flickr.com/photos/armyth?fbclid=IwAR27Q9pov-C8oWf3VzWzGdXgTjnl0cLMoR2jipuz3NYPfwGY8_34bV92baw

(or just look up a.myth on flicker -)

and hurrah, Micham was exhibiting - after a lot of medical attention she is well and still working. Lovely to see her :)

RENCONTRE AVEC... Micham - Artistes d'Occitanie (artistes-occitanie.fr)

Because of Covid the festival was smaller than usual and you needed a pass sanitaire to get into the village, controlled entrances into closed areas where masks were obligatory. See L'ART S'INVITE À MAGRIE (artmagrie.fr) to see all the artists and their work - I'm notably not there on account of a previous gig that in the event was cancelled on account of Covid... many congratulations to Pierre and Christine and their tribe of fervid helpers that arranged it all so well. See y'all next year, if we're spared.

 The rain began, soft at first. So the very late lunch at Pete and Claires was indoors; first this year. Mist over the views. In this photo you can see Petes paintings of the view-

Clare gave us wild boar, roasted, plus ratoutille and roasties and deliciousnesses, culminating in preaches prepared with a little rivesaults and served with sheeps icecream and nutty merangues. Oh la.

Georges Sandmann RIP

 Dr Sandmann was for many years the homeopathic doctor of Esperaza. Alas; he died last night, of  a long-standing cancer.

Many tales are being told today of his profound kindness.

He was born in Germany, which lead us to talk about Hitler and the war (though of course he was not born then) Last conversation I had with him was about the impact of isolation; he thought the return of the birds was a big plus. He was thoughtful and reflective, always. 

His pain is over.

*********************

Later, in the evening...Just picked this up from Fb:

À tous les amis de Georg,

Après des mois pleins d'épreuves, Georg nous a quitté hier, apaisé et dans le calme.

Pour ceux qui voudront lui faire leurs adieux, une cérémonie aura lieu à l'église d'Antugnac le mercredi 6 octobre à 10 heures.

Ruth et ses enfants.

Andrea

 Look who's back - to keep Max in good order for the next lick of his voyaging. They'll be back soon, after a Spainish trip where they meet up with Jude - so more anon. Just lovely to see Andy again. Can it be that our world is being restored???

Been rather mingy with the snaps recently, seen many mates but forget to snap'em. Will do better.

Esperaza goes to Perpignan

Here's Micheal Bosworth hanging his work at this weekends BIG expo in Perpignan. Marie Calmet from Esperaza is also exhibiting. Gutted that I can't get there but if you can, go and say hello -

Nearer home, its the annual arts event at Magrie. Weather permiting, will be there tomorrow.

Good luck to all our artist friends - critical acclaim and lots of sales and useful contacts a-plenty :)
 

Yesterdays birthday

 Mike! Another birthday -this one celebrated initiallly at the Pont for a breakfast, orchestrated by Rose with many of our friends. 

Rose then pushed off to Blighty, having done all her paperwork - and discovered that you can get the nose test thing for 25 euros at the chemist in Quillan (perhaps also in Esperaza?) as opposed to 50 euros at the laboratory. And immediately, without having to wait for results to be sent on. Worth knowing.

Other than that.... it's cold.