Esperaza seasonal snaps

 Kat and I were ambling to Lucs for a post mortem cup of hot chocolate and found Andrea and Lindsey spring cleaning - and an artistic neighbour gathering autumn leaves. Magrie is beautiful but it aint Esperaza :) where all seasons are possible.

Magrie

 Here is Stan playing to Pat von Essens dancing in front of my paintings at Magrie - which was very wet yesterday. Still very well attended.  Lots of music and food and fun going on :)

In the cave where Kat is exhibiting  they were holding a wine tasting so she had plenty of visitors... below is Pierre, one of the local volunteers; below him the star of the show.

Big news in Esperaza market this morning is the burglary at the hat museum. Thieves broke in and stole a computer and 200 euros. What with the break-in at Luc's about 6 months ago, we are begining to look like a crime capital - lock your doors!
I'm off back to Magrie now, floggin art...

l'art s'invite a MAGRIE

Magrie is such a pretty place and stuffed full of artists and performers it becomes an hypermagnet.

Kat and I were setting up our wares yesterday - Gracie too poorly to do hers, alas - and found many old mates from the arts circuit doing the same. Well convivial.

I'm in the Espace Jean-Claude Garouste - bang in the middle :) - and Kat is in a large cave with a pink door. Unmissable. At 11.00 this morning a band called Botafango will wake us up with their drumming.

Culture abounds

This weekend of course is l'Art s'invite a Magrie - see you there - then next week is Ole-Bendiks exhibition in Mirepoix.

master chef

Bob cooked for me, Mary and her guest Clare last night. Eggs mimosa with beetroot, chicken casserole, chocolate cake. He grew all the vedg.
He can do this again :)

Here there is a tinge of panic in the air as the artists prepare for Magrie, the eponymous arts festival. Hanging Friday, open Sat and Sun., one for the diary. See http://www.art-magrie.com/

Quillan market

 The autumn mist this morning cleared suddenly onto a beautiful day - so hey ho for Quillan market. which is distinguished by Sue the Book Lady - who gives away and receives books in English - and the English Library, ditto. Above is the famous naked ice-cream seller.

'property is theft' in Occitan

Always love Quillan in the sunshine and wonder why I don't get there  more often. Then one grey day I remember.

Now, to business; Andree has sold her house, sniff, and in the fullness will be pushing off to Toulouse. She's getting rid of everything. Below is a marvelous armoire build by her great grandfather (by hand) which is an example the furniture she wants to sell. She is open to all offers on everything. Get in touch.

words fail...

...but joy is overflowing! Gracie is back and Annie and Pete - though A and P are away again today. Bob back too, all is settling down nicely.


DON'T FORGET if you are around Quillan today between 11H - 15H, the cafe et gateaux morning for CSF (cancer support group) at 14 Rue Baptisite Marget (opposite the new campervan park and behind the gendarmerie) Loads of stuff going on there.