Ready, steady...

 Oswald and Jess prepare themselves... and they're off -

                  It's been noted before that you should watch what you wish for.
We've had intermittent rain for a couple of days though the river is still not up to speed. Here it seen from the toilet window of the cafe called the Pink Palace in Quillan, where Margaret kindly took me for the mornings' entertainment.
-(Actually the entertainment was the market, not the toilet.)

ATTENTION Esperazan dog walkers.  There is an apparently reliable story about to the effect that the land behind the warehouse by the river - the road opposite Verdie et fils and down a bit - is sheltering adders and that two dogs have died of venomous bites. Given how shy snakes are and how much noise dogs make, one must assume that the patch is infested.If true. Anyway, better safe than mourning a dead dog. Avoid.

Pentecost pix

These pictures were among many in the OFF SPOT in the place d'industrie. They were by Andre Le Gallou, born in 1913, dying young in '57. His son Jacques had felt a call to exhibit them and duly did, to the awe and delight of many of us. Amazing technician. He'd spent 5 years as a prisoner of war and apparently drew through all that time. Anyone know of a venue that might be interested ? Get in touch.

These young folk are staying with Christian and Fab and were at the gigs by Bull - here they are at the vide grenier, saying does this happen often??

ah, the vide grenier...what can be better in the hot sunshine than a market day and a vide grenier?

I stood in the middle of the bridge and photographed each way (the ' boycot ' graffiti refers to the elections, not the fripperie  - god forbid, we'd all be naked.) (Fripperie is rags in french - second hand clothes which explains the elegance and sartorial wit of the Esperazanaise) 

 Heres Tango, refusing to have anything to do with the parrot-bath I squandered a euro on - and Lily this morning. The river is very low indeed. Time for some rain.

All quiet

The expo is getting visited by friends dropping in, which is lovely - otherwise here, Kats Gallery and the OFF SPOT ( in the place d'industrie, by radio ballade) are quiet. The weather is glorious and I have a feeling most people are at the lake. Here's the mighty Aude and the old bridge this morning, and a heron.

VERY good night

 The private view was a blast - 'a funky scene' someone remarked - lots of blurred photos of lots of friends but these few give the flavour.
Above is Andree being surprised in some way by our mayor, Georges Reverte - very good of him to come especially after having to turn down the band the night before. He enjoyed them and was sweet about having to curtail the music, had no problem about last night. Its all about neighbours and their odd desire to sleep :)

 It was hot, it was crowded, a deal of alcohol was consumed.... it all spilled into the street which was as it should be.

Missed Gracie, who is with her family; her work was appreciated and sold well anyway.Thanks to all for coming and to Bull who leave today for gigs in England. Come back soon. >Sniff.<

Bull

Bull - its the name of the  band - made it to Esperaza after much chaos on the trains; settled in now :) They played at the buvette at Le Camping last night and were thoroughly enjoyed.

 Alas, at some point in the evening Yuseff, the boss there, got a text from the mayor - who lives next door....after that the band went acoustic

There was a certain amount of excitement when the bit that held the drums together went AWOL but the drummer Mr Tom (as opposed to my nephew, the singer Tom) improvised quite brilliantly. Astonishingly good.

People danced and wiggled their bottoms

Don't miss them tonight, when they'll be playing at the vernissage at the atelier opposite the Grand Hotel in Rue Victor Hugo.

We're in La Depeche and l'Independent

http://www.ladepeche.fr/article/2017/05/24/2580546-l-expo-off-de-quatre-artistes.html

Center stage

 Photographed this off the tele; we have made Esperaza TV!!!! (channel 70 in these parts) Mostly it broadcasts the school dinners. Which are brilliant BTW.

and here is my neighbour Michel standing for election in the regional round... as he says, the roots of democracy.



Chez nous we are waiting for my nephew and his band who are arriving from Paris, maybe to play at the Artists a Suivre - their arrangements are at best ramshackle but  hoping to see them :)

Expecting vegans

The thing about vegans is the amount of vegetables that have to be prepared to cook with. I leave the tap running to take up the tear gas from the onions. Here's Tango being helpful

My nephew Tom is bringing his band here, so I know they are playing in Paris at the moment and not Manchester. Any comment from me will be trite but in Esperaza this morning everyone I spoke to expressed concerns for Manchester and England; very sweet.