Flooding risk

We are still on Alerte Orange but the mighty Aude is behaving
herself. Trebha says the Salz is very high too -but OK thus far.

all well

... and tonight, after a beautiful blue-sky day, the stars were so
clear they flickered like candles and I saw a shooting star -

Its a sign!!

Users of Tillings highways and byways will be pleased to see that
Dr Clot has been restored to his historic place.

Whilst on the subject of very local issues, you should perhaps
know that the 8à8 has been extended. Its not unlike Harrods now.
In that everything has been moved and you cant find anything, but
theres lots of it.

And there are siskins in the garden, most exciting....

and snow on the mountain and blossom on the almond trees

party band

Anyone who was at my 60th will remember the band, if
nothing else - they are now les malfonctionnaires and
are available to play at your gig. Heres their site:

http://www.lesmalfonctionnaires.com

dont forget to invite me too!!

gods writing

This was written across the sky at lunch time.
What are the gods spelling out?

*Ive been out! Went to a meeting at the MJC and for a takeaway
afterwards (Hobbiting with Pete and Kat)

Nearly better...

germ-encrusted

Oscar, Jill, Hilary and Kate have had birthdays recently or today.
My ghostly presence has partied with them. Me and my germs
have stayed indoors.

Quelle bavadage, photos?

If not for the blog, for me -missing y'all.

On the plus side, a health drink; one banana, 4 strawberries,
one apple, juice of 2 oranges, 1 kiwi (plays havoc with the colour,
so you might prefer to miss this out). Whizz up in blender with
as much blanquette as you can get in without it fizzing over.

Doesn't make you better but you care less.

before the virus

Before the virus hit, I took these pix of Tilling, so thrilled to be home -


one features the prop that has appeared in the cafe du Pont since they started work on Marcos flat.



Then, bosh! Flattened by 'flu; it seems several guests at the Dublin party are ditto.
Here I am catching my death of cold



I plan to be out and about tomorrow though. Jolly galling to lie and bed and watch the sunshine, not being able to go and walk in it -

quandaries in Tilling

Captain made it away on Sunday, the snow didn't settle for long;
on Monday Kat and I devoted ourselves to the task of welcoming
Margaret and John back into the fold. Which is to say that after
a three-day drive they were sweet enough to give us dinner and
enough blanquette to drown lesser women.
Recovered now, though had a little too much apero last night to
celebrate almost finishing a difficult painting which now turns out
not so much to be finished as destroyed. Ah me.
There are photos- but where? And how appropriate?
The quandaries of life continue to oppress.

snow settling

After a lovely spring morning, the Captain and I went to Limoux
for more oesteo; thence to hospital to visit Andrée.
Shes tired, as you would be, but as ever charming and in good
spirits - sends love to all. Shes had cards and letters that had
delighted her.
On the way home, it started to snow... its now settling.

Aileen and I have made it to La Depeche, our local newpaper,
see link -though on line the jolly pretty photo of us frolicking
in the mud isnt there.

(Oh alright it isn't in the paper either)

http://www.ladepeche.fr/article/2011/01/29/1001368-Esperaza-Deux-artistes-esperazanaises-a-suivre.html

ladies lunch

The occasional Ladies Lunches have been not happening much
and our Kat decided it was time to play host and recommence -

She did totally brill lunch - avocado and slug, chicken tikkaish
with pots roasted in duck fat, mixed vedge.: a watercress salad
with the cheese and chocolate brownies, with cherries for them
as likes them ( sorbet for me). Blanquette, natch, and chocolate.
Hilary, Charlotte, Yvonne and me loved it all. I propose Kat for
one of those French TV shows about the perfect meal.

For our further joy, Louise dropped by - followed by

persons of the male persuasion -

hobbits night out

Tillings newest nitespot, La Cantina (opposite the tabac) was
the only place open last night. Kebab and chips gained a new
dimension as the meat was rolled in a galette with a salad and
the chip were good. Cheap and terribly cheering.

artistes a suivre

In they olden days, Artistes a Suivre was called the Chemin
des Artistes but when Suzanne P-A, the instigator,
left the region she took the name with her.

Fair enough; she'd created a runaway success, originally to
honour the countryside and protect the environment through
visiting the scattered destinations of artists studios. It was
designed so that one walked from venue to venue.

It became a car fest, rather defeating the object - though the
artists benefited enormously. I showed with them for the first
few years and always sold well. From the original 12 artists, it
grew till over 50 contributed, coming from around the world
to exhibit in the Languedoc.

The last few years I'd been out of the country during the event
but this year I'm around and so submitted to the jury.

What has changed is that it is now run by artists, for artists and by
them, so getting to the meeting today on time seemed fatuous.

Herding cats, I thought. Wrong!! It was crowded and efficient and
only two hours long. This is down to Victoria and Caty to whom
hats off.
More as the event gets nearer...