Current News

20th December 2003 to 20th March 2004

The olives were ready in December this year due to the warmth of the autumn, so our olive pressing was done at the local mill, and our own organic olive oil is stored ready for use in our wine cellar.


Our unexpected Christmas present from our dog was the gift of black truffles which he found in our garden under a tree.The locals were incredulous as we are not in the known truffle region, and our dog is a boxer and has absolutely no sense of smell! Still, they were sold to a trader for a handsome sum and we enjoyed a few bottles of champagne(6) with our Christmas meal.


Our mild winter has suddenly turned in to Spring, with warm sunny days.The mimosa has exploded onto the landscape and its distinct scent is everywhere. We have already spent several days on the beach with the children ( they swam in the sea and 'yes', the French think we are 'barking'!) and we are ski-ing at weekends in Isola and Auron. I cannot get over how close the mountains are to the sea here. Where else in the world could you do both things on the same day??


Mac was lucky enough to be invited to help crew a 100metre 6 bedroom super yacht for the day recently which is one of the largest and most beautiful private boats on the Riviera. (No, we won't tell you who owns it.) He said it was an incredible experience, and actually steered the huge boat in to the harbour at Monaco himself. Flash or what? He certainly got a bump down to earth when he got back into our little Renault Clio for the drive home!

We are improving our French by the day, but still make hilarious mistakes such as the other day in a restaurant when I ordered a tabouret (stool) as a starter instead of taboulet. The best thing about it was that the straight faced waiter actually bought me a bar stool, and garnished it with herbs before I realised my error. It was only at that point that he smiled and then roared with laughter.

The people here are such great characters.
I went to the boulangerie and there was a little old man with 2 carrier bags full of bread so to be friendly and show off my powers of communication in French I cockily piped up ' Are you hungry?' He looked horrified, and scuffled out of the shop much to the amusement of everybody else. I had no idea until a kindly man in the queue enlightened me as to my faux pas. I had actually asked him if he wanted a woman!


Mac has been really busy painting in oils for his up-coming exhibitions. Most of the canvases are of the Provencal landscape and its people. The first this year will be in the old town of Antibes at
the beginning of May. (further details will be added soon.) During the first week in July he is exhibiting in Valbonne. There will be further exhibitions scheduled for later in the year in the UK. If you wish to be invited to the previews and exhibitions, please send me your details on the enquiry form.


Mac is also donating a piece of work to the Great Ormond Street Hospital charity Art Sale later in the year which is being organised by Canvas a great UK based charity which sells art for good causes. www.canvas.org
Watch this space for further information!
We now have a gallery on our new web-site where you can view and buy Macs work.


We have been busy re-organising and re-writing our original web-site with the design and technical expertise of Digital Paint in the UK. Big thanks to them for their great work. Thanks Andrew, Ben and Khadine for all your hard work and patience. Take a look and tell us what you think.


Following the massive viewing figures of the last 'No going Back' series, and its subsequent screening in Holland, Belgium, Australia etc, Channel 4 have been paying us regular visits for a second programme about us in the series to be screened during summer 2004. This new programme will up-date the story of our move to France and the setting up of the painting holidays business and will show the turn-around in our situation that has been made over the last year or so.

Most importantly, it will show us doing what we came here to do, being with our children, and having more time to spend together as well as Mac fulfilling his dream of painting full time and exhibiting. We will also be featured in Channel 4s 'No going back' book to be published in Summer 04.


We have been busy this week trying to rescue 4 horses which have been abandoned in a local field. We have been feeding them and giving them water as they were close to death when we found them. Luckily having been involved with horses for most of my life I am able to help them, and am giving them medicines and supplements. I have now involved the SPA who are trying to trace the owner. Meanwhile Bruno and Morgan have named them Coco, Flocon,Marius and Toffee and look forward to seeing them each day and feeding them. I find it incredible that some animal owners still behave like this in the 21st century. We may be looking for homes for them soon.


Mac and I have a great new idea for a TV series called 'Can't paint Won't paint', where an artist has so many hours to teach a member of the public (someone who is terrible at art) to paint and competes against another artist doing the same. Come on Channel 4! We think it would be a scream!


Best wishes to you all.
Laura and Mac