The Aardvark Blog

Back from La Belle France to Scarecrows, Art and More Work
30/07/2016

10 Days in France flashed past, and before one knew it we were back on the Ferry from Dieppe arriving at a cold and damp Newhaven. There we had the joy of the new 'tougher' passport control ( a series of fairly useless but somehow impertinent questions). Earlier on the Ferry we were treated to signs ( see below) telling us what to do in case of a terrorist attack. Apparently it is a good idea to run away and hide - who would have guessed. Welcome to 2016 where it is easier to do something or indeed anything provided it is done quickly , than give time and thought to what  might really make a difference. It seems to me truer than ever that being secure requires more than security. It requires community, looking out for each other, acts of individual bravery and defiance.

France was as wonderful as ever, but our trip was bookended by the attacks in Nice and Normandy. Following the latter another empty promise was given - that the state would protect the churches of France. No thought was given as to how this could ever be accomplished, although there was an announcement of the creation of a new citizens militia ( echoes of the revolution, ironic given that guarding churches will be one of their missions). The state of emergency was extended seemingly indefinitely, and one started to wonder what kind of an emergency it is that can become almost never ending.

Yet away from all the politics, it was fantastic to delight again in the rich deep culture of La Belle France. At the Chateau of Plessis Macé we saw an original edition of Napoleon's great 'Description of Egypt' ( one of only five still to be housed in its original purpose built display table). At Plessis Bourre we saw the extraordinary Alchemists Ceiling ( with its many strange images - some of them so scandalous that a latter owner had the whole ceiling painted over). At Chateau MonGeoffroy we saw their hundreds of copper pans, lids and skillets ( a delight to view, but I imagine a horror to keep clean). Best of in the giant Chateau of Angers we viewed the Apocalypse tapestry - a work of such size, beauty, accomplishment and complexity that it truly is one of the great artistic triumphs of the planet. Housed in its own purpose built building within the Chateau, it seems at once ancient and extremely modern. Also worth viewing is the massive tapestry that the artist Jean Lurcat composed in response to the Apocalypse Tapestry in the 1950's and 60's. This is housed in its own museum and is surfused with the post war fears of atomic annihilation ( now forgotten, although strangely we have probably never been closer to a nuclear incident given the massive prolilferation of nuclear weapons that has occurred in the last twenty years).

With visits to other museums, to vineyards, towns, pretty villages and the rivers of the region, a stay in the Angers area passes very rapidly. Strangely I discovered this morning that Knighton is twinned with a pretty town that lies 30 or so miles to the west of Angers along the valley of the Loire. It would seem that there is truly no escape from the Marches.

Our return has been to thoughts of the rest of our summer programme. Tomorrow is Scarecrow Sunday/Castle Tours in Brampton Bryan and as ever the village is well worth visiting. There is a dog show, WI lunches and teas and much more going on on the cricket pitch, and scarecrows throughout the village. Following on from that we open our next exhibition 'TAKE FIVE' with a special jazz opening next Saturday, and then we have a history weekend with a brilliant talk by Castles Expert Terry Wardle on the weekend of the 20th and 21st. With the Vide Grenier on the Bank Holiday Monday at the end of the month, we are in for a busy few weeks. As ever both shop and café are open every day so do pop in to see us.