Since the
grandchildren left we have poodled around, enjoying the improving weather and
finishing a few jobs around the place.
The bamboo
has been attached to the pergola roof, pending the growth of jasmine and an
orange trumpety climber whose name I have forgotten.
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| Mark and Erin Trunel outside her gallery in Caunes. |
We went to a
vernissage at a friend’s art gallery in the village. Erin, whose birthday
celebration we attended a couple of weeks ago, has a lovely little gallery on
the main street, and she is currently hosting an exhibition of Fabien Laplace’s
work. He will be exhibiting in London soon. His work is interesting
and reminded me of the art work involved in map making, and the images of some
aboriginal art where footsteps and journeys are described.
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| Mark talking with Fabien Laplace, the artist. |
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| One of Fabien's works |
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| more of Fabien's work, not sure who the man is...but I thought he looked interesting ! |
We have visited a few vide greniers, and acquired a few treasures. ( I feel a vide grenier blog coming on )...and watched an incredible storm as it approached and then enveloped Caunes.
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| The approaching storm |
We also went
on a wine tasting trip with Wendy Gedney, who lives here in the Languedoc and runs a wine tourism company. ( http://www.vinenvacances.com/) I went to a lovely winery with her
last year and visited some Cathar castles with her on the way back. Wendy’s
knowledge of the region’s wine is amazing, and her enthusiasm for the art ( and
science) of wine making is infectious.
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| Wendy pouring and explaining... at Domaine Chateau Ollieux Romanis, |
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| the wine tasting group's lunch |
We visited 2
vineyards, one of which is run single handed by an incredible woman, who
somehow manages to make and sell beautiful wine and bring up 3 children.
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| Domaine de Mingraut in les Corbieres, owned and run, single handed by Veronique Cuculiere.....brilliantly |
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| excellent salad starter eaten in La Grasse...on the wine trip |
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La Grasse....a place to return to and explore properly.
(During the wine trip we found out that daughter Jess got a 2.1 in her degree..so we felt we had good reason to celebrate) |
We’ve been
doing some serious thinking about life while we’ve been here. Surviving cancer
is wonderful. Life is so much better than the alternative, but just surviving
is not going to be enough…for me, or for Mark. We have decided we need some
purpose, beyond enjoying “being here” ( sorry Annie, "being here" is the most important bit, I know), wherever “here” happens
to be.
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a gorgeous place to be......but maybe just being isn't enough
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So, whilst recovering here, doing very little, apart from pottering,
reading, learning about the garden, making attempts to improve our French etc
etc……is good…..it is not enough. Neither of us is sure exactly what that means
yet, but we’re working on it….and it gives us a meaty conversation topic when
we are enjoying some of the gorgeous wine we bought on our tasting trip.
Dear Janice - the photo of the storm arriving is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteI can understand you taking stock after all that has happened during the last 9 months, and will be interested to learn where your thoughts and journey might lead you.
There is a plant known as the Orange Trumpet, botanical name Campsis. It grows here but grows even better in France, it is lovely.
That's it...Campsis.... I did know it...but I had forgotten...again ! It is a bit like taking stock, being incredibly grateful for what we/I have....but feeling somehow that, despite, seeming greedy....there needs to be more. I think I am doing well starting to learn about the plants in our garden Rosemary...and I am so impressed at how clever some of them are, as they approach their dormant stage while the weather is hot and dry. Jx
DeleteJanice, this is such a lovely post on so many levels. It's great that you are 'poodling' about (actually, I 'pootle' about but I'm sure it's pretty much the same sort of thing) and that the weather has clearly improved. Your house and the garden are looking really good - and I know you've now had a dip in the pool! As Rosemary says, the storm photo is prize-worthy and the wine sounds delicious. But the best news is that you have now been able to move into that next phase; that phase beyond. I hope you spend many happy hours planning on what to get your teeth into - and to be honest, for different reasons, that's where I feel I am now too. I should be so interested to hear your conversations!
ReplyDeleteI raise my glass to you from here for now, but so look forward to the little 'clink' we'll make as we reach across the table!
Axxx
It would be so good to have some of those conversations together....and we will ! I do feel greedy wanting more. I look around at this bit of paradise, realise how lucky I am to have life itself and to be comfortably off financially and not to have to worry about bills...and an amazing family, lovely friends and then think of others who have so little. I can imagine that you are feeling similar things. Giving up work is a massive decision, and finding a new definition for ourselves seems to be what we need to do. So, let's give it a go, and see what we come up with ! Lots of love Jxxx
DeleteWhat a pleasure it always is to read your blog Janice.When i see it is posted i always go and make a coffee and sit in my favourite chair to take it all in.Your photo images tell the story perfectly.What a spectacular image of the storm.
ReplyDeleteWe do a lot of pottering especially when on the East Coast.We both love it when we are out and about and discover events which are on.Last weekend we came across the Burton Agnes Garden Fair.The setting was stunning and all the exhibitors were busy selling their wares.We purchased photographic cards from a guy --believe it or not he lived in Huddersfield!Another purchase was from a forrester who turns pens as a hobby--the pen we chose we are sharing!The last purchase of the day was a statue for the garden---it is half a face which stands on its side.We had seen these in a garden last year so couldn't believe our luck when we stumbled on them.Neither of us had thought how we would carry it back to the car!Luckily the 1st Bridlington scouts were running a carry out service.Each scout was well equipped with his own wheel barrow.I think you will enjoy planning what to do next--who knows what it may be--that is the exciting bit. x Maria
The garden fair sounds great. It is wonderful just to come across these things isn't it. Vide greniers take place every weekend here during the summer months, and I am already driving Mark mad with the treasures I keep unearthing. Pootling, poodling, pottering.... we all know what we mean, and I suppose life needs to have the right balance between that and more important stuff ! J.
DeleteThe picture of the storm brilliantly conveys that change in the colour of things as the clouds approach -- and the way the air feels suddenly heavier plus the wonderful smell of ozone or whatever it is! I am already looking forward to hearing more about your decisions about the future -- whatever they are I'm sure it will mean an extraordinary adventure for not only both of you, but all of us who so enjoy reading your blog...
ReplyDeleteThe storm was unlike any other we have experienced here in Caunes. The locals are already talking about it as if it one that will be long remembered. It didn't cause any particular long term damage...but it looked so different. I am looking forward to taking control of life again....soon, but until then I am enjoying just "being here". Jx
DeleteCongratulations to Jess on her splendid result. That's a real turning-point for you all.
ReplyDeleteHaving had exactly the same kind of conversations with my DH after both by encounters with cancer i know exactly where you're both coming from with your important conversations. In my case surviving the first cancer led me into full-time parish ministry. Surviving the second led directly to a decision that this time I should retire for good. Both were exactly the right decisions for us at the time, so I’m sure you and Mark will know when you've found the direction that is right for you both.
I remember the post about the wine-tasting last year and was very envious as Corbieres is one of my very favourite wine types. I do hope the producers you mention won't be too affected by the predicted changes in wine-production which global warming are likely to bring. British champagne anyone?
PS Have a dip in that lovely pool for me. I really envy you that. :-)
I don't know exactly where our meaningful discussions will end up. Mark needs direction as well as me. It has been hard for him, really giving up everything, while he has looked after me for the last 9 months. I suspect part of the decision will be about how we divide the year up...giving us enough time to be involved in both the communities in which we live. We'll see !
DeleteThe pool is gorgeous, and helping me feel stronger everyday. Jx
I have a feeling that approaching storm is going to be THE picture of the post, Janice. As vivid as it is, I think what makes it even more exciting is how the clouds seem to echo the flowers. Frame worthy a picture if ever there was one.
ReplyDeleteTimes of change can be both unsettling and exciting at the same time, can't they? Almost like watching those storm clouds. It will be interesting to see where life take you and Mark. I wish you good travel on the "journey", dear Janice.
I hadn't thought about the sky and the flowers being practically the same colour...but they certainly were. It was a really beautiful storm, and luckily no lasting damage to people or property took place. I don't know where our current thought processes will take us, but as you say, it is interesting to see where life takes us, and I am sure whatever happens we will make the most of the journey. Jx
DeleteWhat an exciting post - positive thoughts about what lies ahead! But quiet times are valuable so don't go rushing. /:-)
ReplyDeleteThis is good advice, thankyou. I am really enjoying having this opportunity to peacefully decide what happens next. Take care. Jx
DeleteHi Janice,
ReplyDeleteIt is lovely to read that you are making the most of your time in Caunes even if a lot of the time you are poodling - a much nicer word than pootling!
Also great news about Jess, and hope you will soon be able to celebrate this fantastic achievement with her. We are waiting for Tom's results from Lancaster, but like you will be tremendously proud of him.
I don't know you well enough to know the direction of your thoughts but a very wise man (my late father) always used to tell his children that " this is the life, not the rehearsal for it so make the most of every opportunity and live without regret".
I don't know whether this will add anything to your discussions but I am intrigued, not to mention waiting with bated breath!!
Take your time and come to the right decisions for you both. xx
Your dad's thoughts are absolutely spot on. I gave up being an LA inspector back in 2007, because I was really conscious of only getting the one shot at things, and wanted to work in health care....now, I feel I have even more reason to ensure there are no regrets on how I decide to use my time. So....I don't suppose it will be anything earth shattering, but it needs to be right ! So thankyou for your thoughts....very much appreciated. Jx
DeleteDear Janice, I am joining in the chorus of congratulations on that brilliant photo of the storm casting a glow over the garden - magical!
ReplyDeleteWonderful results for your daughter, and you must be so pleased and proud. You will not be surprised to learn we two have been having some similar discussions, particularly now we have achieved our multi-postponed trip over to Canada. Had my 'gram and scans on Thursday and I am All Clear :)) So of course, now I want More: to be More, to do More, to Achieve More, with whatever time I have left. Like Gaynor's Dad, my father used to say 'You only get one go at it!" Lovely post xxx
Excellent news about your all clear. I am so pleased. No matter how good you are feeling when you have those tests, there is always a niggle somewhere isn't there ? So this is excellent, excellent news.
DeleteI can imagine now the trip to Canada is over, you must be feeling like me.....what happens next has to matter.....so, we need to make sure we do it right dont we ! Take care, Jx
Lovely to see how you are enjoying life! Our neighbour Fernand used to call those orange flowers "les trompettes de Jericho" and I can't think of them as anything else now.
ReplyDeleteAbout wine-tasting -- I've just sent you an email :)
Thanks for your email...I have got back to you...and now hope to see you next weekend ! I will forever refer to our campsis ( Rosemary reminded me of their real name) as les trompettes de Jericho. Jx
DeleteHi Janice, It's great that you are now ready to "give it a go" after life tried to trip you up. Your positivity is inspiring. I'm looking forward to hearing what "it" is when you decide.
ReplyDeleteDon't really know what "it" will be yet....and you can be sure, when I know.....blogging will be my way of announcing it to the world ! Jx
DeleteDelighted that your daughter did so well...you must be very proud of her.
ReplyDeletePoodling around can be fun...for a while...and then you want to get back into things; take the chance to do something new; make the most of what life can offer.
I think that sums it up for me Helen.... making the most of what life can offer. Recognising that we are not immortal and making sure being here isn't a waste. In the meantime, poodling/pootling/pottering gives you time to ponder on the important stuff. Yes.. I am delighted and very proud of my daughter. Jx
DeleteLovely post Janice. I think I can understand how you feel, about wanting to do more. When you have been through the kind of experience you have and come out the other side, it makes you realise that life really is for living.
ReplyDeleteYour approaching storm photo is fantastic! Your comment about needing a purpose is very apposite. For the moment, I'm sure that enjoying life and not having to go for treatment is just great and gives you time to relax. But life is also for living, for taking responsibility for things, for being with other people and for creating things and I'm sure you will do all that with renewed energy once you have had a break down in your lovely French home.
ReplyDelete