What's up with us

Yes, it's been a mite still on the blog front. For a goodly while after our visit to the Dordogne, it was quiet here. First we had a spell of warm, almost summer weather. All the plants in our makeshift coldframe fried. Then we had rain. And more rain. And very gray.

In April, we went to Cognac for a concert by the Salisbury Cathedral choir. Nice, but no pictures. Later in the month, we picked our first asparagus.

In May we've had the first of this year's visitors, Barbara, a friend and ex-co-worker from Uniface/Compuware. For her first day here, we went to a concert by one of Ed's choir in a tiny 12C church in Cussac (Haute-Vienne). (Ed is behind the conductor's left hand.)

A few days later we meant to go to the Contemporary Arts Museum at the château in Rochechouart, only to find it closed on Tuedays. Instead we wandered a bit around the town. The remnants of Easter festivities remained in a small park. Note the colored eggs still floating in the fountain.

The church in Rochechouart has an unusual twisted spire.

The twist is supposed to cut down on the wind resistance, and maybe it does. We wondered if the twist might emulate the twisted columns in the château's courtyard?

Barbara's visit ended with an organ concert at the rather grand abbey church in Soligac. (That's Kaye in the turquoise jacket on the right, hiding Barbara.)

We were fascinated by the gargoyles and other strange characters adorning the building, outside ...

... and inside. These are above the choir stalls.

Ed is busy repairing the hot water heater which is showing its age and demanding attention. It's been making burbling noises for several days. At first glance it didn't seem to be leaking, but a further look showed water water everywhere. Everything on the floor is out of the closet (le dressing) and the dehumidifier is running. In the process of removing a part to be replaced this morning he accidentally unleashed a small flood that ran across the mezzanine, thence both through the floorboards onto the dining table below and down the stairway. Lots of towels for mopping up. The heater is refilling right now. Fingers crossed!