Monday 25 September 2017

** 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

Tuesday 19 September 2017

_-__-_ 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

Monday 18 September 2017

!! 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 
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!