Friday, September 13
We arrived at Charles de Gaulle airport and made our way through customs
and to our meeting location. We finally dug out our camera when we
loaded the van Loading the Van. Pictured
are (from left to right) Chris C., Rob F., Koen, Rob G., Bob L. (barely
visible), and Joel R. I believe that we had the most normal looking
vehicle in France (other than the yellow Pontiac Firebird we saw). It was
a diesel VW van.
On the way to Chinon we stopped at one of the freeway gas plazas for a bit to eat: Bob L., Rob F. and Koen, Rob F., and the menu.
Arriving at a reasonable time at St. Louand we find Marcel, and our hostess and Marcel's girlfriend. Bob and Marcel have a discussion in the yard.
We realize why we are here and take a look in the library, discovering the blues. Chris and Rob G. take a closer look.
We soon recover and allow Paul to begin his duties as a proper
host (clockwise from Paul standing:
Robin R., back of someone's head, back of Rob F.'s head, Patrick -
in a common pose, Chris C., and Bob L.).
Robin and Steve
Steve and Rob G.
Rob F., and Patrick
Paul served us a nice soup along with a crisp or cobbler. All
of it was delicious and hinted of our week to come:
one and
two.
Saturday, September 14
The Chateau was more than any of us expected. Robin and I stayed in the
end room in the
guest quarters.
The grounds of the Chateau were spectacular: Flower Pot, Negrio, some flowers, one of many watering pools, with fish, me, some grapes along the wall, beyond their property and and Robin. Our pictures don't do the grounds justice, and we did not manage to get nearly as many pictures as we would have liked of the grounds. However, there are a few pictures here and there of the chateau, here is the back.
In the morning we met up with Robert Melson: Rob F., Robert, Robin and Bob, Robin and Robert, Marcel.
We were there to work and at least some of us managed to do so: Tim Stretton - slave driver (Dave Reitsema in the background), Patrick, Charles King and Rob Friefeld (yes, that really is a meter of candy), Robert Melson and Dave Reitsema.
We came to our senses and demanded that Paul break out the wine
at dinner and then retired to
the salon with the refreshments:
Alun, Rob F., and Dave,
Alun and Koen,
Rob G.,
Rob F.,
Steve S.,
Tim S., Marcel (behind Tim), Steve S., and Chris.
The salon was reserved for discussion of import:
Scotch. It was apparent that
Paul was immersed in the discussion
and very concerned.
Sunday, September 15
Mounting evidence of our capabilities.
Sunday is generally a day of relaxation. We visited Paul's brother-in-law:
estate entrance and
more. The view there was
spectacular (yes, that is a
nuclear power plant) and the
Vienne.
Robin and our hostess,
Robin and I in their arbor,
near the arbor.
More of their estate.
The most oohhhs and aaahhhs were from the brother-in-law's library: Alun, Robin, Dave, Bob L., and brother-in-law.
We weren't done yet. We did a little more sight-seeing at the confluence of the Loire and Vienne rivers: castle, the other side, and the confluence (the lighter blue up to the right is the Vienne while the Loirre is coming from the left).
Lest any think we were supposed to be working, we had that under control and had left Patrick and Dave taking care of that nonsense for the rest of us.
Monday, September 16
On Monday after breakfast
(Tim S.)
we finally
decided to take a break from the strain of touring and do a bit of work:
Tim S. and Steve S.,
Linnea and Charles,
Rob G., and
Totality.
Enough of that, how about some lunch: grapes, wine and bread (fresh every meal), crudités, sample plate.
With that to keep us going we managed to get a little more work in: Charles and for that bit of goofing off we made him stay there: Charles (proudly displaying a VIE sweatshirt).
That evening we went out for dinner as Paul was becoming weary of our unending appetite: dinner location - sort of, pate, chicken curry and crème brûlée or chocolate or rhubarb tart. Tim thought the cat needed a bit of attention.
Now that dinner was handled, it was time for another evening in the salon with the scotch, oops, it's starting to get low.
Tuesday, September 17
It's been a long week already. Fortunately we had some help
today to keep our spirits up. The SF book came in:
both and
reader's.
We had an aperitif and some
entertainment to keep our fortitude:
Patrick,
Robin,
Patrick,
Dave,
Patrick,
Rob G.,
Charles and Robin,
Patrick.
Best of all, here are two movies (MPEGs) of Rob G. They're
short (5 second) clips:
Clip1 and
Clip2.
Fortunately Koen had dinner under control (Paul needed all the help he could get by now). We sent Koen after some fresh asparagus and some rather large zucchini. It's apparent that Koen made a fine dinner. Even Gracie enjoyed it (Robert Melson, daughter, and wife).
More evidence.
Wednesday, September 18
Well, I think that we were finally getting into the groove.
Even Steve is finally working
(or is that the SF book?). Oh well, at least Rob F. is
working.
Actually, they did sneak in a bit of work:
should we nunc this? while
Tim waits for their nunc
decision. Hmmm, better check
totality.
Ok, the pile of completed volumes is large enough, perhaps a cocktail party is in order: Robin and guest, Chris, Didier and Didier's wife, brother-in-law and someone else, our hostess, Paul explaining the VIE work, Chris and Didier, Robin, Paul and Didier's wife, Robin and Joel.
Finally. Another fabulous dinner: more dinner, and more dinner, our hostess, et al., Robin and I, Chris in trouble, Alun and Steve,
Yet more evidence.
Thursday, September 19
Thursday was quite busy since we had to quit procrastinating
and try to finish the work were supposed to be doing.
However, we did find time to visit Paul's studio:
an etching and
etching close up,
in progress,
more work area,
press demonstration,
studio front (note
the columns - Paul's work in progress).
We will miss the chateau and various forms of sustenance: lunch, scotch, and wine.
Paul's hospitality is superb and we look forward to GM4.
As always, our chapter is only one small part of the story.
I hope that my tongue-in-cheek was very apparent!
Others were snap-happy at GMII...
Check out Koen Vyverman's slide show.
Download zip file #1 and zip file #2 of Charles King's photos.
