back home

Back in Tilling where I'm delighted to find nothing has changed. Greener and brighter and hotter than when I left, perhaps: three new baby blackbirds in the yard and a plethora of fledgling redstarts.

Leo is exactly where I left him.

Great to see some dear mates in London and to tour the galleries. The noise and dirt no longer appeal - how did I cope for so long? though there are charming moments...

Like, this picture is of a geezer at Waterloo station lugging a (toy) lion.

Bad Blogger #2

Im such a bad blogger than I wont be blogging for a fortnight as Im off to England to see the family and friends.
I leave you with stuff to contemplate; the mural outside the MJC has been altered by artist/s unknown, rather well, as you can see - but is this fair on the original artists intentions? Is a work of art still in process after it leaves the hand of the originator?
-I dunno, BTW; discuss.

Also changed is a municipal dustbin which has been transformed... definite and unhesitating approval here:)

Smashing day, hot sun in market, meeting of the Artistes a Suivre at Campagne-sur-Aude and a chance to catch up with friends (especially Kate Hardy and thanks for the lift x)

Finally something much more sombre -
after leaving Toby and Leos last night (Kat,Pete and Ian also benefited from the dutch duos wonderful cooking) Lily took me for her usual walk by the River Aude.
It was closed off by several emergency vehicles, gendarmes and ambulances, lots of that red and white striped tape.
Very chilling after a beautiful day and lovely evening. I hope there wasn't too much wrong - but it did look serious.

chinese takeaway -

Did you know there was a Chinese takeaway in Quillan? Me neither. Margo and Theophile took me and Anne and Monique there for dinner - there were enough tables (i.e.2) for us all and we had a feast with loads of Jasmine tea.
Its over the railway line from the Espace Cathar, opposite the station.

Then we walked about the Quillan suburbs, smelling the roses and enjoying the fact that the place was deserted.
Weird.

bad blogger

been busy, honest, but here are a selection of local excitements: Margo and Theophile, Phillippe at his vernissage last night, Toby charming as ever in her wellies, and -hot news- the barrier at the railway crossing was jammed shut yesterday and people had to drive through it.

The BIG local news is that the garden at Le Garenaud is hopping with Golden Oriels. So they say, anyway - not seen them yet. Many others have though.

Pushkin poulet

Here is Ians cat trying to help hatch the chickens. Which is by way of avoiding the issues of American justice, Christian forgiveness and the other double standards that the Mother of the Free feels able to promote with superior firepower.

Iains birthday today

Our own Iain - who used to live in the road by the post office in Tilling - has a birthday today. He has settled in Edinburgh, seems a strange notion after his life here, but hes happy which is of course the main thing.
Here are edited highlights of his last letter:

'- I’m settled here now and frankly very happy. It is odd though. I’ve never lived on my own before. I’ve always had others living with me or I’ve been living with others so it’s an entirely new dynamic. I have to make more effort and I’ve not quite mastered that yet. Once I get home I tend to have something to eat, potter about in the garden, do my mail and once all that is done I rarely can be bothered going back out. I thought about joining an Am Dram group but the ones that I approached were all putting on farces. I didn’t like Brian Rix 40 years ago and sure as hell don’t like his sort of stuff now so I suspect I’ll give it a miss.

The 86 year old woman who lives in the house opposite me says she would like to move as it’s too quiet here with not enough excitement. Personally I find the quiet absolutely perfect and the excitement is a short walk into town.'

Birthday fun to you Iain and come visit soon xxxxxx

advance warning for Friday