The year began for us with the sad news of the deaths of two good friends, both of them called David, both met since our arrival in France. David Morgan was one of the first people I met in the French conversation groups which have filled almost every Tuesday morning for over 15 years. He was an amateur flautist too, shared my enjoyment of bilingual puns, became one of the first members of our wine tasting group and lived for many years with his wife Wendy in a small settlement near Quissac, north of here before returning to the UK a few years ago - we were happy to visit them once in their new home on the south coast.
 |
| The French custom is to remember departed souls with chrysanthemeums at Toussaint, 1 November |
David Austin, whose life ended after a long and painful illness, was the person who started the Chorale Franglaise, which gave rise to a lot of my singing activities here in France. He had spent most of his life as a professional clarinettist, music teacher and conductor, and through the choir (which met in the Lunel music school) we met many good friends who are still very much part of our French life and circle. David's widow Dawn still lives in Lunel and we hope to stay in touch with her as she adjusts to all the changes. Most of the choral activities that grew from his efforts, notably Ochoeur (a group of 7-8 with a repertoire covering the centuries) and the annual Christmas concerts David began and Ochoeur continued, have faded away as people have moved on or moved away - this last Christmas season has felt especially empty without carol singing, which is not something French choirs really go in for although many of our French friends really enjoy them when they hear them. I'm just thankful for the many broadcasts on radio 3 over the festive season.
Our musical life has continued at a modest pace into the the new year. Mary has several cello commitments as well as her lesson with Céline, whose teaching she much enjoys. I am equally pleased with the direction our B.a.Bach choir is going as it finds its feet under new conductor Kamala, my friend and sometime singing teacher. And her arrival has led to an influx of tenors, so that I find myself in the very rare position of being part of a section of 6 or 7!
However, our lives just now are overshadowed by the need for major repairs to the house - a new central heating boiler is comparatively straightforward, but treating the roof timbers against various kinds of pest is a much more major project - that came to light after we'd commissioned a general refixing of tiles, and luckily the same very reliable firm is able to do both. So we take a big breath and feel grateful we can afford it all. The house is certainly over 40 years old and so various things are showing signs of wear. fingers crossed there are no more major surprises for a year or two.
Although we mourn the departure of some friends, we have also recently spoken to others still active and creative. Our friend Barry, over 90, sang tenor with me in a London choir in the 80s and has lived not far from Toulouse for many years - he has decided to keep up his English teaching for some local French people because it gets him out of the house; meanwhile in Cornwall my friend and ex-colleague Polly, herself nearly 90, is still enjoying the challenge of painting and has sold many of her canvases in her retirement. we are so lucky to have a circle of friends over many generations, including her children and their children!
 |
| At the Chemin des Rêves vineyard in Saint Gély du Fesc |
No comments:
Post a Comment