Another milestone this week - two years since we moved into Ségala - and what a wonderful two years it has been. In some ways it seems much longer as we feel so much at home here and in other ways the time is just flying by (hence no blog since April!).
We had a really busy summer with visitors arriving constantly as the previous ones left. It's great having visitors, we love seeing people and sharing this fabulous corner of France with them but it does cause a significant problem - my French speaking and listening skills went into dormant mode! After they all left and the rentrée commenced I felt I had taken more than several steps back when I started to try my French conversation skills again with our French friends at our dance workshops.
Although we do know some other English people in the area most of our socialising is with French speaking people who we have met through our interest in traditional music and dancing. I have TC to thank as his musicianship ( he is an accomplished concertina, guitar, piano player) has opened doors to some superb soirees and fun occasions throughout the year with people of all ages and backgrounds sharing common interests. TC has also enjoyed the challenge of learning a new instrument the diatonic accordion ( melodeon to us English) which he is now confident to play in public! Last week we went to lunch at the Auberge Lou Bourdie and how thrilled was he when Monique invited him personally to play at the vin nouveau soiree again!
Luckily our French friends are very patient with me as I massacre their language and hopefully over the coming months I will make some progress again - in the meantime at least we can play music and/or dance - a universal language.
 |
| April - end of year bal for los dancaires |
.JPG) |
| First time out for the accordion |
.JPG) |
| Bals sous les Halles was a brilliant series of outdoor traditional dances in various villages with market "halles" over the summer |
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG) |
| Les musicians de Salles à Milhars |
.JPG)
.JPG) |
| The musicians were pleased to be asked back Le Troubadour for the annual occitan festival in Laguepie |
.JPG)
 |
 |
| The boy's toy |
"The truest expression of a people is in its dances and its music. Bodies never lie"
Agnes De Mille
I would so love to have a go at that 'boy's toy' as well, but think it might be too heavy. Have thought about starting off with a smaller one, but at the moment funds do not allow. But I would like to go out and about with a group of fellow musicians as well, as I think that is a good way of integrating in the local community, and well done both of you for having done just that.
ReplyDeleteWhen Trevor started playing the melodeon each practice was like a workout - so much more hard work than the concertina - but he is making great progress - there agin he should be with all the hours of practising he does ( isn't retirement great!)
ReplyDelete