I had the great honour of hosting the cookery club. The theme south of France food, we began with Provencale rose wine, sitting around a table at the community garden, and ended at East Lodge. This group of people have been meeting for a meal since 1982, cooking eating , exchanging. Someone should write a book about them.
It invited me to remember my days in the south of France, staying with John, in Villenouve Loubet in my 20s/30s, until he died and I began climbing mountains in Africa. I told them the story that I hadn’t thought about for many years, (and as I did I recalled getting board with my grandmother recounting stories from her past, and now appreciate how sweet it is to remember). I met John Moss when he came back late one night after playing bridge and I was instructed to welcome him, as he was a man dieing of cancer. As it was I sat up drinking whisky with him and we struck up a friendship that lasted 10 years, his cancer disappearing. He had been my university, introducing me to French literature, classical music (Figaro!) and so much more. I still have letters from him, some unopened as they overwhelmed me if more than one a week – one day I say I will open. Sweet it is to remember him.
I found these photographs, taken around the time of when I took my mother out to see John before she died (1989) and shortly afterwards, taking Leslie Allwood out in my open topped motor. I love the ones of Billy and John laughing. It was through Todd I met Billy, of Russian Norwegian background, and living in St Paul de Vence. My soul place became le Col de Vence. No idea who the man is I am looking at. It was the time I took my mother there to show her my magic place.
Kalikellett 