Englishman in France Archives - Gordon Frickers Marine Art

Pétanque, picnic and a birthday

30 June 2020 by Gordon Frickers

A day and evening with a Toulouse pétanque club by invitation of my friend Lily Malek. We started at 15.00 and finished at 00.30… The picnic was well organised. Typical of French hospitality, everyone bringing something nice and all helping set up / dismantle, everyone looking after each other, lots of joking and laughter. With … Read more

At Toulouse

24 June 202024 June 2020 by Gordon Frickers

Toulouse, lunch with Lily. I’ve written a bit more on my other blog and with other photos and on one of my two Facebook pages : https://artfrickers.com/blog/2020/06/24/toulouse-france/ I have to collect a major painting, on loan to Chateau de Saurs and have a variety of other ‘business’ and good friends to visit, in this region where … Read more

Driving in France

23 June 202023 June 2020 by Gordon Frickers

Driving South in France yesterday from Brittany to Toulouse, no problems except a few ‘bouchon’. I passed Saint Emilion, one of my favourite places to paint. Saint Emilion is classified as ‘une Petite cité de caractère’ is also justifiably the most famous name for red wine. For those who wantDriving South in France yesterday from … Read more

Unexpected guest

30 May 202029 May 2020 by Gordon Frickers

A very unexpected guest.

As Gwen and Vanessa were leaving after dinner last night, we found this little fellow, lost, Kitten mewing on my doorstep.

Thank YOU

26 May 202026 May 2020 by Gordon Frickers

Thank you for being my friends, wish you were here…

I consider myself very fortunate and made sure a glass was raised to all my absent friends in particular those of you who phoned or sent best wishes via the internet.

You are all much appreciated, I think I’m lucky to be in contact with so many remarkable people. Knowing, communicating with, you folk helps get me through my sometimes difficult days.

Wish you were here… I learned more about organising a party when living alone, mostly via my mistakes.

Everyone of my guests contributed to the eventual success of the evening, we ate well, drank well and all agreed this won’t be the last time.

La Fete

25 May 2020 by Gordon Frickers

As we emerge from lock down here in Théhillac, France, we had our first ‘social distance’ fete. I discovered the famous ‘#bisous‘ French kiss has been replace by touching elbows ! My neighbour Danielle kindly invited me and our other neighbours for lunch. Such a pleasure to see a beautifully thoughtfully prepared table. Our little … Read more

Monet’s Garden

21 May 202021 May 2020 by Gordon Frickers

No competition for Monet’s famous garden, however… Thought you might like to see a few of the flowers in my garden which on a calm day is scented by numerous roses.

A cold Home

13 December 201913 December 2019 by Gordon Frickers

So where and how are you? Yesterday I was toooo exhausted to work or post news, one of the penalties of living alone … I’m ‘Home’ again, from the glorious Tarn department,arrived Wednesday night after a very mixed 8.5 hr more or less non stop drive through very mixed weather. Home to a cold house … Read more

Representing France

2 December 20191 December 2019 by Gordon Frickers

A major event, THE festival of Lanterns.
If you possibly can, visit this fete on show for the third and last time at Gaillac.

This is nothing less than Gaillacois Tarn representing all France to China and vice versa.
Previously the Chinese have always chosen major cities, Toronto, Hamburg, Boston and San Francisco USA and so on.

This year this festival, unique in Europe opens 1 st December for 2 months.

Le site internet officiel = https://festivaldeslanternes-gaillac.fr/ ainsi que la page Facebook officielle = https://www.facebook.com/Festival-des-Lanternes-Gaillac-313632982438151/

The mayor of Gaillac made a brilliant, inspiring speech.

The evening included lavishing wines, foods and a disco on guests

An honour

23 November 2019 by Gordon Frickers

An invitation, Fete of Lanterns, an honour, an artist’s influence.

I’m told previous Fete of Lanterns have attracted 650,000 visitors. Would you agree, impressive for mid winter?

I’ve been invited, the only Englishman and as far as I know only European artist, to the opening ceremony of the next Fete des Lanterns, by the mayor and council of Gaillac, 18.00, 30 November.

If that is not an honour, you tell me what is?