** avelana

the French are big on community

and events

much effort goes into setting them up

and everyone visits

this weekend was the Fete De Noisettes

a hazelnut festival in Lavelanet 

no real squirrels

delicious cakes

praline covered nuts

and anything you can imagine that is

nut related

we didn't see the nut spitting competition

maybe that's not a bad thing!

there was plenty of music

and enthusiasic dancing

and a parade

castanets

and traditional costumes

a little game of boule for the gents

plenty of games and a funfair for the children

une bonner facon de celebrer

les noix

_-__-_ meet me at the Barbican

Saturday was a day with friends

Gina travelled over from Essex 

and we surprised her with a magical mystery

tour of exhibitions and wanderings

after coffee in Shoreditch

we walked to ABP Autograph

to see Zanele Muholi's first solo UK exhibition 

Hail the Dark Lioness 

beautiful striking self portraits

taken across Africa, Europe and America

using materials found 

connections made

we walk through Brick Lane 

and onward to Tayyabs

for a delicious vegetarian punjabi lunch

messaging friends to co-ordinate a 

meet up for a cocktail at Osteria

{free wifi is something else I have missed!}

great views and good company

some had never met each other

and some I'd not seen for too many years!

then onwards to meet a lady

I had not met in real life

but had followed her work for a while

luckily she was part of a group show at the

Strand Gallery

so cool to meet Alison Rylands

and hear about her journey so far 

she allowed me to take this piece 

after we'd rearranged her interactive work!

before waving goodbye 

we passed a bustling alleyway

and found Gordon's Wine Bar

an amazing subterranean space

that served us a chilled bottle of Picpoulet

which we enjoyed outside

as we watched people passing by with 

huge platters of charcuterie, cheese, baguettes

and pickles

a little taste of France in London

!! overload my senses

there are things I miss

so I took advantage of cheap flights

and stayed with my daughter in London

just for a weekend

immediately into the hubbub 

crowded tube trains

noise, cars, pollution

the need to be hyper linked to everything 

all the time

no I don't live in Outer Mongolia

but I would have to drive for ten minutes

to get to the only bus that would take

me to Pamiers

there I could get a train to Toulouse

London is very connected

and it's marvellous 

I missed that

I also miss going to galleries

Gregory Crewdson at The Photographers Gallery 

was out first stop

Cathedral of the Pines is a large body of work

his signature grand landscapes

muted palettes and light

(detail The Barn)

as usual we want to ask questions

I'm glad I got to see them but ....

honestly?

the nudity over took the stories 

it seemed unnecessary 

even this young person thought so 

to my amusement 

after amazing lunch pad thai and green curry 

at Rosa's Soho

and a spot of shopping 

we visited Beetles & Huxley

I love this little gallery

it didn't disappoint

(red curtains)                   (holding the blue)

a collection of images by Cig Harvey

partially hidden subjects

self portraits and in glorious colour

and so to the Southbank 

the record label Erased Tapes are celebrating

their tenth birthday

we delighted in a free concert by the artist 

Douglas Dare

a beautiful hour spent listening to new and old songs

with like-eared people 

afterwards ~ fresh dosa by the river

and a bus ride home

door to door

and that was just Friday!