Back in TO

Monday 26. 07. 11 Arrived back here in a heatwave last Thursday – hot and humid. Since then have got my old bike back on the rode and have been enjoying the city. Have seen a couple of movies and today spent the afternoon at the Clayroom working on the above.

Le Tour

Sunday 17. 07. 11 Went with George and Laurene down to Montagnac this afternoon to watch le Tour. As always a very festive atmosphere with the caravan coming by throwing hats, scarves and sweets at the crowd. This all happens about an hour before the riders who all pass by in about 10 seconds!

St Medard

 

Tuesday 12. 07. 11 Just back from a visit to Marie-Pierre and Olivier. We had a wonderful time, fishing in the Bassin d’Arcachon, picking green beans from an allotment, visiting Bordeaux and seeing an expo at CACP. En route back we stopped for lunch with Michele in Bayonne. A very convivial and animated weekend.

Grau d’Agde

Sunday 03. 07. 11 Yesterday we took a boat tour in the afternoon from the Grau d’Agde. Starting on the Herault up to Agde, the écluse ronde to the Canal du Midi, across the wildlife sanctuary at Bagnas and out into the Etang de Thau and back again. En route a plate of oysters with white wine. Four and a half hours en bateau for 13 euros – a bargain.

Hot

Saturday 25. 06. 11 Yesterday had lunch with Emma and Kevin in Pezenas. We saw an early copy of their new bilingual art magazine L’Artiste – they have done a brilliant job and deserve everyone’s support. Today baked on the beach near Sète.

White camper van

Wednesday 22. 06. 11 It has been overcast the last couple of days so have been working a bit in the studio.

Finished?

Friday 17. 06. 11 Fairly busy week in the studio. Finished (for the moment) one of the white van paintings and have nearly finished another one which I have been working on for months. Carole arrives Sunday so this may slow down things a bit.

More vans

Monday 13. 06. 11 Am back at the white vans again with four on the go at the moment. Just been out and realise that it is yet another bank holiday!

Molière

Sunday 12. 06. 11 Last night went for a BBQ chez Gisèle with Jonathan and Dominique – Gisèle’s daughter from Canada. Afterwards we all went to Pezenas to see Molière’s L’Avare at the Théâtre de Verdure. Brilliant production with all the over the top clowning that one expects from Molière. Started at 9.30 and finished at midnight, no interval and not one moment when one was not completely captivated. It is a pity these plays do not have a longer run.

More monos

Sunday 05. 06. 11 It has been a busy week in the studio. I have been working on some monoprints based on my recent trip to London. Instead of train stations I worked on Tube stations and the river.