Happy Hols Day 11

Before anything I would like to thank LadyMarchmont for being the original holiday shot collagist, although looking through her journal I can’t see a recent example! Arclight continued the theme recently in Rio de Janeiro, with aplomb. These homemade postcards certainly give a multifaceted way to look back on happy holiday times and, in themselves, bring a hint of bucket and spade , rock and ice cream to the procreedings! All this, as well as saving extras (said the Scotsman!).

The top slice of the collage is inside Cezanne’s studio here in Aix-en-Provence. They could do such more to make it more accessible. It’s quite far out from the centre and no one warns you it’s all uphill through a rather nondescript part of town. A wee electric bus up would help many less fit, especially in high temperatures like today. I suggest they look at Figueres and Port Lligat to see how they bring Dali’s work to the public.

In another panel, you can see that my everyday hat is suffering from the abuse I have given it over many years by (wrongly) squeezing the front peak to lift it on and off my head. The weave is now breaking up. It’s a Signes Monticristi, so high end, and I remember paying a lot for it over a quarter of a century ago, but I was shocked when I casually enquired about a replacement here in Aix and was quoted between 1300 and 2900 euros for a replacement. They were lovely though. Unfortunately (!), they didn’t have my size which is huge at 62 European or 7 & 5/8ths in UK terms. One day, maybe! Meanwhile, I’ll look for a repair in a local specialist shop in Barcelona.

Now, a café-table hour before back to our apart hotel for some bought-in Lebanese treats.