escape from toxic cloud

Having raced across Europe to escape the silver shroud that
threatens the health and livelihood of many citizens and subjects,
we are safely back in Tilling where no Icelandic interloper would
dare to come (I hope-) - and thence after market to lunch with
Annie and Pete.
All is therefore well with the world.

Here are some windows in their new house in Couiza


Picnicing outside is safe here -



Congats to Annie and Pete on acquiring the most beautiful place,
with the River Salz behind it and enough work inside to keep them
busy for a few months. Its like a childhood dream of where to live,
come true...

trapped

A volcano in Iceland has rubbed out the possibility of a plane
home. Me, Claudinne, Le Capitain and 4 friends should be in the
air now; instead of which Claudinne and I are in a cyber cafe in
Woolwich Arsenal.

Le Cap., undauntable, has booked a very early Eurotunnel
crossing and will drive us home.

Should be in Tilling late tomorrow night. Though we must also
brave the strikes in France. Something of a saga perhaps.

Anyone know the Icelandic gods we should address? I fear hubris
in this enterprise though Im relieved to be getting out.

The election in England is just toooo much.

Easter in Tilling

Easter involves Les Fecos from Limoux hanging out at the cafés and drinking alcohol - as can be seen by Le Feco here, clearly feked. The first procession is at 9.00, they play and drink till lunch at the MJC and then they do it all again. The finale is at 8.00 tonight if anyone is still standing.



The market was rather under par but still good. Rushton and
Clare turned up so we went to the caravan to check the orchids
(still there)
And then in the afternoon, out of a hot sky - hail. Great lumps of ice.
Msr Francois, my fiance, says that God is too old
and has forgotten how to do weather.

bizarre coincidence

My friend Robert has sent the following;

Son Theo is in India with a couple of friends. Last week, while I was in the
local library, my mobile phone rang. It was Theo reporting from Rajasthan.
I asked him to hang on for a few seconds while I went out of the library and
into the street; better reception and less disturbance to everyone in the library.
On the way out of the library I bumped into Sally (friend and fellow Bedales
parent). As I was telling Theo that I had just met Sally he excidedly announced
that Flora had just that moment got off the bus he was about to get on.
Flora is Sally's daughter ...

What are the odds? Its been driving me crackers thinking about it.
OK if the kids know each other and are perhaps at the same school, plus
similar folk hang out in the same places - local library- then its just 2 people
bumping into each other, plus another two, whilst being on the phone at the
same time.The distance thing is just a distraction. Can someone do the equation?
Please??

Look who didnt come to dinner...

Sian and Lionel looked in on Jill and Tony and came for apero but
not dinner; that was with Steve and Claudio and Kat in T Rex.

So, Sian is looking terrific after her brush with death (see Sians
cancer blog, listed with my faves at the side here) Shes still the
same, and we'll get over the rouge/ blusher issue; OK? In a few
months there will be nothing but a terribly cute lisp to recall this
dreadful time.

Lionel is looking good too -

and our Kat is back!!From the calm of Venice to the maelstrom
of Tilling, she held up well through a healthy dinner of confit de
canard, those sweet puds that Philippe does so well and a
digestif of pears william.

If you are at the market tomorrow look out for 'em all.

sprung spring

These photies from the caravan -
spent a happy day avoiding real
things and pottering about on the
land. bliss.

shattering news

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/hadron-collider-ii-planned-for-circle-line-1932744.html

(thanks to Shuff for alerting me to this)