Toby makes a bid for freedom

Is Toby going over the wall??

All calm here, despite the family and friends who are flocking Tillingward for Petes party.

Captain H arrived last night having driving from Greenwich. In fine fettle.

Weather looking good, despite forecasts.

emergency party invitation

If you have been wondering why you haven't been invited to Peter Dunns birthday party, don't fret; his computer is down (Orange, dontcha love 'em)

Et alors... Espace Louis Alibert, (over the footbridge) 7.00pm Saturday night; bring a plate and a bottle

This view is of the mist lifting from the square - looks like the weather will be good for Petes party:)

Strange day...

Weird. My Mama shuffled off this mortal coil in the night - knowing how she had longed for this made the death easier to bear though those things that will now no longer occur are mounting up - you know? If you've lost a parent you'll know what I mean. All the day-to-day things of a very long-term relationship, ceasing.

My nephews and nieces are posting their reminiscences on facebook! She didn't trust computers but would have enjoyed her image and stories of her wit being zipped about the world. (My favorite; 'Never run after a man or a bus, there's always another close behind.')

In the meantime, the forces are gathering for Peter D's birthday party on Saturday. Five installed here and many more clumped about Tilling. A very acceptable sense of celebration in the air.

Didier Bourdon had a vernisage at Sieur d'Arques tonight. Very good work, of course. Exhibition on till 13th April - visit if in Limoux, nice work. Here he is ...

and afterwards Toby and Leo and Raine (guessing at the spelling, that's what it sounds like) gave me and Kat dinner. Raine off tomorrow so farewell to him till next year and a safe journey back to Holland. I probably shouldn't post this picture of him waking up the morning after but he does look cute:) He was looking at the damage in the garden at the same time as I was, the day after the party when Toby and Leo arrived here. Happened to have a camera poised as he opened his shutters -

strike action benefits us all

Jude and Peter got caught in a strike and their plane to Stanstead was cancelled. They came back to Tilling and gave me the chance to see them again; I nabbed them and Andrea and Max for a farewell dinner. Very convivial evening:)
Here's to the next time and may that be soon.
Nel left today - not caught in the strike - and plans to be back asap. Peter D arrives tomorrow with several friends for Saturdays party.
Oswald the Tortoise has gone back to his winter quarters. Whilst not actually hibernating he has given up prancing about the garden and stalking the hens so we can assume the weather is taking a turn for the worse.

Claudines off again

All these restless spirits... here is Claudine saying goodbye, off to Toulouse and Madagascar. Come back soon:)

Voila le Captain

Here is Captain Harris on the beach at Greenwich where he was being filmed today. Details of the broadcast as and when...

90 big years

Professor Spencer Brown, author of Laws of Form and genius mathematician - or magician, depending on his mood - is 90 tomorrow. Above is a study I did for an unfinished portrait.

Which is by way of avoiding local news; I'm still knackered, unfairly, since Ive been mostly abstemious . Last night I was eating with Max and Andrea and party at Normandy Frites while the Dutch and their party were at the Creperie and you could hear everyone all over Tilling- the T and C buses were still disgorging party goers long after midnight, also not silently. Market was crowded and sunny, full of delicate survivors of the night before.

Mercifully Claudine is here; a calming and charming presence. We did T Rex and Lukes bar...