Sunday 04. 07. 10 It has been a busy week. Carole and Daisy arrived in Montpellier on Tuesday after a good flight and connections. I met them at the airport where we picked up our Clio and drove home. Since Wednesday have been putting the final touches to the expo and getting things ready. Jonathan, David and I hung the show on Friday and then we had the vernissage last night. Pretty good turnout for a hot Saturday night. No sales yet but the show continues until Thursday so we remain hopeful.
Saturday 26. 06. 10 There is something about Café paintings – I have done three over the last couple of years and they have all sold quickly. The one I put up on my last blog entry sold within a couple of hours to my last house guests the Watsons. Thanks Chris and Chris. Since then I have been back at my monoprints of London stations. I had had a problem with the density of the black but I have changed the coating on the plate from detergent to Gum Arabic and this seems to have solved the problem. I have also added a bit of spot colour but I’m not totally convinced. Still getting stuff ready for the arrival of Carole and Daisy and the show in Baillarges next weekend.
Wednesday 23. 6. 10 Summer seems to be here, finally. Have been busy in the studio this week and have finished Café à midi (see above). Also have been getting ready for the show in Baillarges. Jonathan and I have had several meeting and I think that we are now organized. I am looking forward to Carole and Daisy arriving next Tuesday so next month will be busy with the show and visitors. Hopefully the weather will remain sunny.
Sunday 13. 06. 10 It has been a week of very unseasonable weather. I have been housesitting George and Laurene’s house and had had visions of spending the afternoons lounging by the pool. Sadly last Sunday was the only time when it wasn’t either raining or overcast, until yesterday. Last night was Claire’s vernissage in Baillarges so drove there with Gisèle and Jonathan. There was a good turn out and it gave Jonathan and I a good idea of what to expect when we have our show there from 3 – 10 July.
Monday 07. 06. 10 The Watson’s left this morning for Montpellier. They had spent from last Tuesday until Friday at Le Lavandou, Arles and Aix en Provence and returned safely to Clermont Friday afternoon. We spent saturday morning at the Lodève market and then had a wonderful lunch at the café in Octon before going up to George and Laurene’s house for a BBQ and a swim. Sunday we walked around the Cirque de Moureze and had our farewell dinner at Le Terminus. À la prochaine!
Friday 04. 06. 10 Beautiful sunny day for the annual BBQ put on by the Accueil. Great food and ambiance complete with speeches and songs. Started at noon and I got home around 4.30. All the usual suspects were in attendance. Danièle, my patient French teacher, is on the far right.
31. 05. 10 Monday Chris and Chris flew into Montpellier from Toronto Friday after lunch. We picked up the car and headed into Clermont. First stop Les Negociants after dumping bags chez moi. Saturday morning took in my old scooter to Sports Bike and then wandered around Pezenas market and town. Dinner at Le Terminus where we ran in to Gisèle and Jonathan. Sunday drove into Sete for sardines and enroute stopped at the flea market at Marseillan. On the way back drove out to Liausson to photograph site of the painting that Chris bought for Chris last Christmas. Back for stuffed chicken dinner chez moi. Today drove up the Gorges de l’Hérault and St Guilhem with lunch at the Pont du Diable. In the afternoon C&C explored Clermont and then we ate at Le Venizia. Managed to get in three visits to Les Negociants today!!!
Tuesday 25. 05. 10 Drove Jason back to the airport this morning – hair raising drive with bouchons at Gignac and Montpellier but we finally arrived safe and sound. Sunday we went to Pezenas early in the morning to take advantage of the morning light and the empty streets. Jason shot over a hundred pictures. We then had a delicious lunch chez Gisèle and Jonathan together with David and Monique. Monday we did the short walk at the Cirque de Moureze in the morning and then visited St Guilhem in the afternoon with dinner at Le Terminus in Clermont in the evening. After his visit I think that Jason now knows why I live here.
Sunday 23. 05. 10 Yesterday went to the market in Gignac and then Claire and Gérard came over for lunch. After lunch we loaded Claire’s wardrobe onto the top of Gérard’s Lada for transportation back to Montpellier and then took off on a local tour for Jason to photograph poppies and vineyards.
Friday 21. 05. 10 Since we got back from the UK we have been zooming around the neighbourhood on the scooters. We were at the Pic St Loup on Wednesday, Sete and Marseillan yesterday. Today we were lucky enough to borrow Laurene and George’s Clio so drove over to the Pays Cathare and went to Carcassonne and Peyrepertuse for the day. It was hot and sunny and no wind. Carcassonne was not too crowded and seemed less touristy than previous visits. We were lucky enough to hear a choir of 5 men singing in the church. Amazing ecoustics. The castle at Peyrepertuse was its usual wild and remote self.