Monday 22. 04. 13 Riding into Montpellier today the valleys were filled with the scent of Broom.
Travel
Merrickville
First snow
Friday 28. 12. 12 We had our first 10 cm of snow yesterday which transformed the world. Beautiful and silent except for the sound of spinning wheels on the ice.
Istanbul
Saturday 06. 10. 12 Just back from a 10 day trip with Julia to Istanbul. Wonderful city to visit with not only the European/Asian mix but also the contrasts between old and new as seen in the above photo taken from the tram. Highlights were the Istanbul Museum of Modern Art and and a visit to a Hammam.
Advertising on the roundabout
Monday 27. 08. 12 This one is at Marseillan Plage – a popular resort between Agde and Sète. It is celebrating a local game where young boys climb along a greasy pole over the water and try and retrieve the hat . Not sure why the guy is on a bike and or why he has a scantily clad nurse in his trailer! Click on the highlight for the video.
Sardinade
Friday 24. 08. 12 Finally made it to a Sardinade last night. We met at the Grau d’Agde and then boarded the boat for a trip to Fort Brescou which is on a tiny volcanic island just off Cap d’Agde. Aperos were served as soon as we disembarked, followed by handfulls of sardines grilled on the beach, wine and then sausages, cheese and fresh peaches. An absolute feast eaten as the sun went down.
Brittany
Thursday 06. 07. 12 Just back from a few days in Brittany. Totally different landscape to here, no wines, greener, lusher with skies that change constantly. Cooler light with wonderful clouds – very similar to Ireland. Culturally similar too with the common celtic heritage. Will go back for longer and to do some painting.
Transhumance
Saturday 10. 06. 12 Met up with friends at the bridge just outside Gignac for the transhumance where the sheep are driven to the high summer pastures on the Larzac plateau above Montpeyroux. Hot afternoon with blazing sun with little shade. We walked the 5 km to Montpeyroux with the sound of the sheep bells ringing in our ears. We had all taken a picnic dinner so soon settled in to a pleasant shared meal with aperos and then wine. A rock band and an accordionist entertained us while we ate. Good conversation in French and English, good food and wine all on a warm summer evening in the Midi. Life is good!
First week in TO
Friday 25. 05. 12 It has been a busy week since I arrived. I have done all the basics, dentist, eye doctor etc. Have ordered new glasses and started to catch up with friends and family. Got the bike out and have been riding around on TO’s bumpy streets. It has been hotter here this week than in the Hérault! Off to NYC with Jason and Julia for the weekend.
Busy week
Friday 11. 05. 12 It has been a rather social week with Polly here from the UK so haven’t been doing much painting. Monday we went into Montpellier by bus and explored the town courtesy of the tramway. Great system, 4 lines now and you can even get down to the étang at Pérols on Line 3. Today back in the studio working on a portrait of Violette my coiffeuse!