Book club meeting May 2013 and outlook for June, July and August 2013

Thank you to everyone for an enjoyable meeting on Thursday to discuss the Doris Lessing book.  I’ve written a short précis of the book and our thoughts.

 The next meeting is on Thursday 20 June at 2.45,
 when we will discuss 

The Long Song by Andrea Levy

book choice. 

"From the critically acclaimed Andrea Levy, Orange Prize winning author of SMALL ISLAND, comes this breathtaking, hauntingly beautiful, heartbreaking and unputdownable novel, shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize and longlisted for the Orange Prize.

July is a slave girl who lives upon a sugar plantation named Amity and it is her life that is the subject of this tale. She was there when the Baptist War raged in 1831, and she was present when slavery was declared no more." 

Caroline suggested books for the July meeting (and August) and we chose: 

Thursday July 18th                           
The Garden of Evening Mists by Tan Twan Eng

 

Wednesday August 14th               
The Girl who fell from the Sky by Simon Mawer



We have decided to have aperos after 6pm for the August meeting, Wednesday 14th, to celebrate Pam’s small birthday.  She has said she would be happier if we again met at her house and we can all bring some canapés and fizz.

NB. A correction from Carole about a book she liked by Angela Carter.  It’s called Wise Children.



Here is a review of the meeting on May 23rd:
Doris Lessing, The Diaries of Jane Somers


Aren’t we lucky to be able to have books to read written by such good writers.   Doris Lessing has written many epic books and The Diaries of Jane Somers certainly provoked praise of her marvellous descriptive writing and storytelling.   The book is actually 2 books, bound into one, featuring the same heroine in the difference stages of her life.  As a successful magazine editor with a ‘clean and perfect’ life we watch her see her husband die, then her mother, then befriending an old woman who she cares for and grows to love, perhaps to help ease her emotional guilt.  The second book finds her falling in love again and caring for her young despot niece.

Some found the book an uncomfortable read evoking memories and thoughts of old relatives, old age homes and care workers.  Also it probably ‘struck a cord’ with us as we’re all more sensitive about getting old.  Doris Lessing, through her characters, gives us a clear insight into old age with old people fiercely clinging to their independence and creating their own isolation. Not necessarily an enjoyable read but emotional, thought provoking and highly descriptive with strong characters.

Have a look at when Doris Lessing received the Nobel Prize for Literature 2007.  I wonder who the guy with the artichoke and onions is in link 1?!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuBODHFBZ8k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18IwEBHz0Lo

For more information about any of the above or our next meeting and venue, please contact:

Ladieslunchclub secretary: 

lunchclubgascogne(at)gmail.com

For all other publications regarding the LLC bookclub please see our page here

Advance notice for July Barbeque

Advance notice of our summer event. 

Limited numbers 

so

please make a diary note 

and

buy your tickets soon 

Bookclub meeting change of date for May 2013

Please note:

The LLC bookclub meeting was changed and will now take place on 

Thursday, 23rd of May 2013.

 Same book :

same venue. For any further information see the LLC bookclub page and/or contact Jacky at 

lunchclubgascogne(at)gmail.com  

Plaisance films showing week commencing Monday 13th May 2013

For updates on the films showing next week in Plaisance please go to the 

Movie programme page for a full update.

Thursday: Promised Land at 2030

Friday: Mariage a l'Anglaise at 2030

(English title: I Give it a Year)

both in English

and on Saturday

 Renoir

All come highly recommended so do go.

Garden Club visit to Bottagisio in Demu on Thursday 6 June 2013

Our June visit was to the garden of Serge Bottagisio and Agnes Decoux

Both artists of international repute they live and work in the Gers

where they produce amazing outdoor pieces

http://www.lesbotta.com/

We arrived up a long winding lane flanked by green fields and parked outside the entrance to the garden.  

The first things we saw were large concrete bowls, surrounded by prickly pear cacti, which were filled with water and contained water lilies.   

These were opposite the entrance. 

Looking over the tops was a spectacular view of the local countryside.It gave a wonderful feeling of peace and freedom.   

The garden is situated on a ridge where the views are stunning on both sides.

We were warmly welcomed by Agnes who ushered us all into the shade of a tremendous oak tree to wait for everyone to arrive.   

The oak tree must have been hundreds of years old, and gave the impression it was sheltering us from the world.   

Below us was a pond which added to our feeling of contentment.  

Entering the garden we enjoyed the different palms which had both black fruit and delightful bunches of yellow flowers.   

Agnes explained her concept of different shapes complementing each other both in nature and their sculptures.   

We saw three more of the large concrete bowls (les grenades) placed in line with a huge curved branch.  

The curve of the branch and the curve of the bowls reflected, echoed and complimented each other.  

During our tour of the garden and buildings we saw some wonderful chairs; one made from heavy wire  

and others from strips of white metal.

  

They looked lovely but exceedingly uncomfortable!  

As well as palms there were several different types of cacti and succulents that gave a different dimension to the garden.  

There were many varying sculptures, from the bowls (les grenades) 

through to stones (les galets) and lighting cubes (les cubes), 

but for me,

the favourite was the cones (les toupies).   

They were huge but also superb with bands of red etched into the concrete.

   A cone made of latticework concrete laid next to three of the cones gave an interesting contrast.   

The concrete pillars were very striking and I found myself wishing I could take one home.

This was a visit which left me feeling happy and tranquil.

Thanks to Janey for the write up and photos.

An artist's garden full of organic and tactile shapes and powerful verticals with softening contrasts of delicate openwork set against massively solid pieces.

Strong and bold but in harmony with their surroundings the sculptures are a perfect counterpoint to the majesty of the rolling green Gascon countryside

As individual as the owners, a very special garden to visit.   

Our hostess on this occasion was Dorothee Benich Godard who gardens the 2.5 hectare plot 

The photo shows part of her garden and the drying shed.

Suffice to say this month's garden visit was a revelation in devotion,dedication and total belief in an eco friendly and organic lifestyle.

For more info and a full report please go to the garden page.
http://gersoisladiesclub.blogspot.fr/p/garden-group.html

LLC Luncheon May 2013

     Our lunch on Tuesday May 14th 

was held at 

La Bonne Auberge Manciet

La Bonne Auberge is a charming hotel and restaurant owned by local legends Chef Joseph "Pepito" Sampietro, and his wife, Pepita.
The restaurant, consistently recommended by the Michelin Guide for over 30 years, features a seasonal menu that deliciously showcases the specialities of the region, including foie gras and Armagnac. A la carte prices range from €12 to  €36.

49 ladies were present

Menu for Tuesday 14th 
Asparagus soup
Entree: Baked Salmon
Main:Boeuf roti or vegetarian option
Desert: mini selection 
Wine and coffee included
€16

There was a short talk after the lunch by Debbie Watkins (a Pilates tutor) on the health benefits of this discipline.

For more details of the courses she will be running in Nogaro please contact the secretary

Excellent food and company and thanks again to our unofficial photographer Ginster.

Our June restaurant will be able to seat 50 persons. 
I hope this will enable all who wish to attend to do
so and we look forward to seeing you there.

More info on this shortly

Dawn

                                                                       

             <lunchclubgascogne(at)gmail.com>

Happy 1st May day

Happy 1st May day to all Ladies of the Ladies Lunchclub Gascogne 

have a nice day!