Englishman in France Archives - Artist Gordon Frickers

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?

Beach

6 September 2019 by Gordon Frickers

Is there anything quite like sand between your toes, real paddling in a warm sea? I just love this sign !!! Please let’s keep all beaches clean !! Better still, not just to the beach…… tissues dropped in elevators, cartons etc thrown on the streets!!! Bin your waste in the appropriate way !!! On the … Read more

Wayfarer

8 September 20192 September 2019 by Gordon Frickers

Wayfarer and me with a little help from Lily, 03.09.19, Monday, ready to trail for what could be my last sail with ‘EV’, my Wayfarer. Lily enjoyed her long week end vacation here and is now back in Toulouse. Meanwhile, it’s sunny and warm here so I’m getting the ‘chateau’ clean and ship shape, washing … Read more

Les Fetes

7 July 20197 July 2019 by Gordon Frickers

Parties on as the heat wave continues with 30 C [86 F] plus, this week end there have been so many fetes to choose from minor and major.

Among the latter a huge Celtic festival at l’Orient and a Choral fete with a ball after at Guignen near Rennes.

My choice was made for me by my neighbours in this village gently, firmly, insisting I attend.

A compliment it would have been discourteous to refuse.

It turned out to be a very good choice too.

Cowes Week

2 July 20192 July 2019 by Gordon Frickers

Regatta season starting!

Heat wave, light breezes, perfect weather for sailing !

#Cowes Week taking a winning gun from the Royal Yacht Squadron line, Prince Phillip sailing ‘Yeoman XXVIII’, a Sigma 38 built at #Plymouth [painting unsold]

Your week end?

3 June 2019 by Gordon Frickers

Mine was a working week end taking advantage of good light and light airs.
I’d love to have taken my Wayfarer ‘Evee’ and a picnic to Vannes for the grand maritime festival of sail.
A big bi annual event but with much to do and no crew I chose to work on the ‘Titanic Twins’, “Plymouth Harbour” after the Norman Wilkinson.

Clocks change?

24 March 201824 March 2018 by Gordon Frickers

The clocks change this week end?
Last year I watched my clocks very carefully and they did not change one little bit, stayed exactly the same…

It’s a beautiful warm day here.

A squidge

21 March 201812 March 2018 by Gordon Frickers

A winter’s walk or rather a squidge and paddle on the marshes by Théhillac.

Hard to believe as I’m warmed by the sun and enchanted by lark songs, as just over a week ago we had snow here.

Good by beautiful Tarn

5 January 201729 December 2017 by Gordon Frickers

From Castelnau de Montmiral, almost my second home… As per the expo at the Espace Culturale, Ville de Gaillac, , so to is my year 2016 closes, more or less a “that was the year that was”. My year 2016 was a busy year, except for eating, sleeping, sailing and hot showers of which there … Read more