FEATURED not frittered

That's spell check for you!

I have found my way back

Finely!I know,it's pathetic.
Julian happy belated birthday greetings,and how impressive is that being featured in the New York Times,it's brilliant did email you last week but maybe that address is no longer current.We were so exited to see you and Ruth on the TV,the kids were rather frustrated by all the 'stupid wildlife' wanting to see more of you both,Ruth spoke beautifully it was so evocative.
Steve sorry not to have said before, your/our parcel arrive safely the weekend that I was at mum and Dads,thankyou so much.What a beautiful scalf I feel unworth.The kid appreciated their tops too.But they can't wait to see you again.
I must go flip some more pancakes now, Happy flipping everyone lots of love CATHY

Not that Dave Taylor!

this guy seems pretty clued-up about the subject of viruses on a mac and does what he say's on the tin...  Mac Virus INFO

Newspaper has arrived...1/4 page.

Wonderful news!

Great to catch up on your news about the NYT Julian. Sorry I couldn´t get to it in real time but the saga of the missing internet and misbehaving CD drawer is continuing. We are still here, honest. Will try to get to Alicante soon to see if the man can fix it easily.

We had a super weekend what with cricket on Saturday (30 runs not out and a win of 180 runs or so) and a very interesting church service on Sunday in which the older girls got wet. Larry, our resident pastor for the last two years goes back top the US next week and I´m taking on more responsibilities in the church as a result. A number of us went for an Indian after yesterday´s service and had an enjoyable meal. Work is a little frantic (as ever) with me chasing my tail trying to run a department, do my SMT bit and run a family home... I find a short twenty minute weight session in the early morning keeps me more energetic for longer so I am feeling pretty healthy apart from the cramps that come from a long day in the field and trying to teach hockey on Friday afternoons!

Looking forward to seeing you all in the not so distant future I guess. The countdown is on but as I am a bit behind with the blogging I have little idea of what I´m counting down to. Things seem to move to fast off the blog pages for a weekly review and I can´t seem to get back into January at the minute. Oh for a Mac.

Talk to you all again soon. Glad you had a happy birthday bruv.

PS Dad, remeber the 30 euro bottle of wine I accidently bought while you were here? Well, it was pretty good! We had it when Kev came over. Love to all.

Hurrah!

We've got a bloggin Widget for Tiger!
What ever next eh?
I've had a great day on the web looking at video off various drumming sites... so much has changed...
Scroll down to find "Animal" versus Buddy Rich on the Muppet Show...
I came across another link today too.. the wonderful world of off-beat photos..daves daily pictures
Hope Mother's cough is waning.. how was the x-ray love?

thank you all..

Many thanks Nic and Jen and family, Steve, Gemma and Clive,Pete and Jan and sprogs (just joking jessica) and all those who of course are my parents, mum and dad and well... sob sob lurve you all ... been a tremendous week... and the oscar goes to ... Sally Fields for her part in 'Postcards from Provence' .. and much deserved.


Whats 'e talkin' bout? nuffink arthur put yur teeff back in and shut up.

more as news unfolds. j

With all the excitement, I'm sure you don't mind us wishing you a belated birthday Julian, Happy Birthday, love Nic, Jen, Claire and Daniel.

Sorry for the mistake over your 'fee'

Julian phoned me last night to correct my comment about the £5000. What he meant was that thanks to the NYT and its art readers the article cleared out all his unsold Postcards from Provence, plus many other paintings. Stillives, portraits, landscapes etc!! I love Ruth's Meanwhile....
As Gemma rightly says WOW!
much love from Mum and Dad

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JULIAN

What a lovely birthday present from the NYT - Do I read that properly - did they pay you £5000 ??
We are glad you enjoyed our little pressie - now you can open your wine bottles without using your nails, or breaking off the top of the bottle!!
The article in the Nyt is certainly something for the bottom drawer, or to hang on the wall. Like Steve we are very proud of you - can you lend me a fiver?
Time to buy some euros as they are down to 68

With hedge fund managers and investment bankers busy calculating their next big art purchases, prices for paintings and photographs are being driven to record highs. Julian Merrow-Smith, a British painter living in the French village of Bédoin, near Avignon, has pushed off in the opposite direction. Nearly every day, in a project he calls Postcards From Provence, he creates a tiny oil painting and puts it up on the Web with a price tag fixed at $100 (plus tax and shipping).

A high-speed Internet connection allows Mr. Merrow-Smith to live the slow-paced life of a 19th-century landscape painter while reaching today's global market. In addition to the $100 "postcards," his Web site has larger paintings, from about $300 to $3,000.

Mr. Merrow-Smith, who started his Web gallery about a year ago, says his subjects include what he sees in the market on a particular morning and the ever-changing landscape. "I often find inspiration on the morning walk with my wife and the cats," he said. "Moon in Oak Tree" (above left) was captured 100 yards from his breakfast table.

Mr. Merrow-Smith, 46, said he was endlessly motivated by other painters who loved this region. "Orange and Lemon," above right, cannily evokes Cézanne.

"I look at painters like Corot, whose most exciting paintings are small outdoor sketches of Provence," Mr. Merrow-Smith said. His paintings, about four by six inches, can be ordered framed (add $52) or unframed, and hung singly or in groups. He posts them on his Web site, shiftinglight.com. DONNA PAUL
New York Times 23rd February 2006

Chairman Wow!

Julian & Ruth, your news is so fantastically brilliant wow...we have cracked open a bottle to celebrate.

Have fantastic day tomorrow!

love gem & clivos

Well..

That was the quickest £5000 i ever earn't!, go look at the 'available' catagory now!

The article can be found at http://nytimes.com/pages/garden/index.html

scroll down to multimedia the piece is titled "19th century art sold the 20th century way"

urm back to the champagne er... I mean easel

happy birthday to me... happy birthday to me

PS. ta dad for your timely present it's a CORKER!!

Hurrah!

Katherine's found it! She's putting it in the OUP diplomatic bag so should be with next week! phew!

Clive

Mornay Stannit ... Ladies Shoes etc

Go to New York Times and get today's issue for nothing... exclusive for new subscribers Pay NO money... link on left so click on the New York Times link above.
When you've got your downloaded online version, you can print off pages with a bit of clicking around.
Type in Julian, Merrow-Smith or Shiftinglight et viola!







That's my bruvver that is!

Found it!

House and Home section Page F3

NY Times - message from Clive

Bad news from the States. Katherine has bought today's copy, but nothing inside about Julian. She reckons it might be in Friday's ed. as that features more in the way of Art and all that. Do you think may have got dates wrong? I suppose it could feature in a later edition today, but seems a bit unlikely.

Stop Press
ezappy say's
FOLLOW THE LINK FOR A FREE NO OBLIGATION 5 DAY TRIAL..
ezappy followed mac linux link but didn't need credit card details.

Just found this on BBC News for Apple users...careful downloading!

"More security problems bite Apple
Experts have uncovered a serious security bug in the way Apple software handles downloaded files.
The flaw could give malicious attackers a back door into Mac computers if users visit carefully crafted websites and download booby-trapped files.
Although no attackers were known to be exploiting the bug, experts said it was easy to write code to take advantage of the flaw.
Separately, three concept viruses for Apple computers have been discovered.

Virus outbreak
"This could be really bad," said a warning about the vulnerability by the widely-respected Internet Storm Center.
The discovery of the bug opens up Apple users to so-called "drive-by downloads" that plague users of the Window operating system and are used by makers of adware and spyware to install their software on victims' PCs.
Discovered by University of Ulm student Michael Lehn, the loophole arises because of the way that Apple's OSX operating handles downloaded files.

Although OSX displays an icon for files based on the suffix it finds on the program being downloaded i.e. jpg, it uses different criteria to decide what to do with these files.

This makes it possible to have files look benign by labelling them as images but, behind the scenes the operating system will know it is dealing with a proper program and run it as such.

Initially the flaw was thought only to affect compressed or zipped files but the Internet Storm Center said it can be used for any file that arrives on a target machine.
So far, no net-based exploits of the bug are known to be in existence but Apple is known to be working on a fix for the flaw. The operating system can also be made secure against the loophole by changing some preferences.

Also reported this week were three variants of a second virus for Apple's operating system.
The new virus is called Inqtana and its three variants try to spread via bluetooth short-range radio technology.
The risk to users from the virus is almost non-existent because the variants are only proof-of-concept bugs and none have been released to the wild.
The reports of the flaw in OSX and the virus variants makes three security alerts for Apple in less than a week. "


Update on NY Times is that absolutely impossible to get a hardcopy ordered in Oxford. None of the shops that carry internation titles are either helpful or seem bothered about helping. So Clive has contacted a colleague at the OED in New York who is going to send one over, and a lady at my work has a daughter Gina who lives/works in NY so maybe able to get another copy from her too. We should be able to see a copy hopefully by Monday, otherwise keeping an eye on their website!

love G x

Yet more problems...

Having got the PowerBook G4 back and upgraded, I have been waiting for reconnection to the internet for 6 weeks. At last I have been promised a reconnection within the next few days, but guess what? Only the disc drive decides to stop functioning. I cannot get discs into the machine. This is a bit inconvenient to say the least. The problem seems to be that the motor doesn´t spin up when the disc goes in. I tried resetting the PMU but to no effect. It looks like it´s back to the repair man we go. Oh, it all makes work for the working man to do....

One day I will reconnect and get back to blogging. Sorry Will, missed your birthday. Happy birthday for the 24th Julian and well done on the Shifting Light phenomenon. Brilliant.

Thanks Grandad

Have had a look on nytimes.com and you can subscribe for a free 7 days trial and download a digital replica. But may be safer to get hard copyand not get wrapped up in the whole giving details over and we'll bill you after 7 days business, so as we're close to a couple of newsagent that sell international titles think we'll do that. Exciting!

Gem x

google Earth fans

and anyone else who likes looking at things from a long way away,
..who can't get Google Earth, here's the
Shipwreck of SS Leopoldville Xmas 1944

Off to Cornwall tomorrow to do a bit of maintenance.. at Mill Barn Chapel Amble.
This is a converted farm building ..a barn conversion if you will. It's three miles from Wadebridge overlooking the Camel Estuary and it's got it's own owl!

Saturday Morning

Glad you have given the old girl (The Megane, I mean) some TLC, but sorry to hear of the loss of some DVD's. Have you tried to phone the shop?
Now, about the NYT - will it be in the international edition, or on the net or hve we to go to NY to get it. If they send you a copy can you put it on the blog - We could get a NYT from WHS if we knew what issue it will be in!! Love to you both. Dad

ups and downs

Well, put new tyres on the front of the car yesterday (went for better quality Goodyears as the others had been newish). Bought the car some new wheel trims and carpets, deciding that perhaps the car needs some love, and other than leaving the DVD's that I bought for Ruth (including Mr Minghella's Patient Anglais) in the tyre shop in Avignon nothing further untoward happened.
This morning we woke to the news that a journalist, (a friend of a friend), who had visited last summer and did a little interview with the artist has sold the story to the New York Times and I have to organize some high resolution pics for said newspaper. The story is to appear next Thursday... My first write up!! Lets hope they don't cut me out like the BBC did!!!
an improving j

HIP, HIP, HIP, HOORAY> Happy 1st Birthday

We have been following your Unprecedented series of events with your car; and also to the hired replacement car, (diesel in the petrol tank,) Ruth, in your Meanwhile....... blogs and our hearts go out to you both in your distress. If things have now quietened down and you have your own car back, let's hope that 2006 will be trouble free, having paid out so much of your hard earned euros, on your Megane.

Lovely picture of Let sleeping artists lie.......and we hope Julian has got over his cold. Well done in maintaining such a fantastic series of daily paintings. We loved them all.

I was at a meeting the other night when, in a company of other chaps, someone said "I loved the Wild Provence programme and picked out your son from your description; and your daughter-in-law played beautifully in her natural theatre". Another friend, who is a solicitor in Lymington, said how much he enjoyed your cello playing and added that he had bought a cello and was learning to play with the assistance of the principal cello player of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.

The discussion continued with music and and another friend said that his daughter-in-law (a violinist) taught music at Queen's College in Cambridge and she was full of praise for your (short) recital. Well done you guys, We are full of praise and not a litle proud of Julian's first year of Postcards.... Congratulations!! from your loving Mum and Dad.

Happy Birthday Shifting Light

I think we would all agree that today is a pretty momentous birthday in that today Shifting Light is One. Today Julian has done a painting almost every day for three hundred and sixty five days and upped a mailing list from three family members to four hundred worldwide. I think he only has 35 still unsold (and some gems still among them). It is a phenomenon extraordinaire and I think he deserves a big HIP HIP even though he is asleep upstairs as I write. Also he wouldn't have done it without those of you who have given him your whole hearted support. I think perhaps you will never know what that has meant to him. Like all of us though, when we are only one, Shifting Light still needs you all, especially, it seems, of a cold February with an absent wife.

I am finally home - not without a blow out tyre on the motorway resulting in our third towing in two weeks of the newly repaired (to the tune of €2600) Renault.

Lets hope the spring brings some relief.

Happy Valentines!

Lovely to see you Cathy

Cathy did a 'solo' visit to us on Thursday and went back yeterday. It was great to have her with us and we spent a lovely sunny weekend visiting some of the nice places on the Island. Lunch at the Seaview hotel 'went down' very well on Friday and on Saturday we spent a beautiful day in West Wight, with lunch at the Angel in Freshwater and a walk along the Turf Walk at Totland before tea at Gossips in Yarmouth. Mum was not at her best as she still had the remnants of the bad cough she has had for a month. Despite a five day anti-biotics treatment, she still has the cough so we again went to the doctor and this time we have a seven day spot. Hope that works!! Cathy phoned us at 7pm last night to say she had arrived home safely so that finished off the weekend well for us all. Love to all. Dad

It's here

Popped over to Val's today briefly
to see the grand hanging! The long wait
was worth it wasn't it as the order was placed at the Manoir.


Val's "Julian Painting"
Originally uploaded by ezappy.

Fantastic
Doesn't it look fab and so 'ties-the-room-together'
Then I popped into the Post Office to mail Cathy and the kid's pressies from Christmas only to hear from Dad that Cathy is on the Island this week. So I'll try and get down there at the week-end to say hello. . could have saved the postage oh well!

Gem and Clive Will and I are toying with the idea of having an extra week at the Gite for the week before the birthday bash to make it a nice long break so we're looking into that.

Was a little sad to see Bianca go until I remembered...

EQUALS

More Food

Cousin Teresa (O'Sullivan) from Manchester is on the Island for a couple of weeks, hoping to see a house that would suit her as I think she wants to be near her Mum and Dad (Rick and Celia). Cousin Eddie and his wife Teresa (Newland) are visiting Canada to say howdee to Teresa's Dad who lives out there (Confusing, isn't it?)
Today is Cousin Teresa's 43rd birthday so we arranged to meet up at the Seaview Hotel, where we had a lovely meal and a good chat. I suppose we must have been eating and talking for nearly three hours. Celia is still in hospital, although she hopes to be out soon but we managed to keep each other entertained. That is enough food for a while!! Must go up now as Mum is yawning, G'night LOve Dad.

A fab evening

Well, in the end, Mum decided to accompany me to the Ladies Night dinner at the Royal. She was having her hair done in Wootton when she met my friend Adrien's wife Heather, who persuaded her to go so we all went in a mini-bus to the Royal. It is a lovely hotel, reminiscent of the 30's and reminded us of some of the old colonial hotels one sees in places like Sri Lanka and Malaysia. Palm trees and pot plants, Munnings-type pictures on the wall. Certainly one of the nicest hotels on the Island. We had good food and good company and got home about midnight. mum enjoyed herself and was glad she came with me. We toasted William on his birthday. Cheers Will!!

Nice to hear you on the Phone

Thank you for your phone message, Jen, Glad you enjoyed the flowers. After having a smashing time at New Year Nic, you had the nerve to have another day off to visit Sentosa. Glad you all had such a fab day on your bithday Jen, We love Claire's BOB. We liked the photos - who is the glum boy? Well it is back to work on Monday - roll on June, Eh?
Gemma, no that is not Crillon - more like Venasque or up around Les Dentelles - depending on where you went. Were you sorry to say a-rivederci to Bianca? Have you got a DVD recorder - you seem to have fun with it.
William HAPPY BIRTHDAY - 26 today - have fun tonight - Yippee!!
Pouvre pouvre pussy cat (Julian) sorry to hear about your bad cold and you all alone! We hope you will soon get rid of it. We hope it did not spoil Ruth's birthday.
Hi to you Spaniards. How are you all getting on??
We are supposed to be going out to the Royal Hotel in Ventnor this evening, but Mum has such a cold she says I should go without her and she would turn in early. Lets hope she feels better this evening. A few whiskies should do the trick!
February is always a month that brings colds and sniffles. Is yours any better Cathy?
Eh maintenant - Steve we hope you are keeping clear of these colds. What an amazing global view of Hazelbank. Perhaps we should look at all the others??
Love to you all from Dad and Mum

Bye Bye Bianca...

This evening Bianca was been driven off into the sunset by a new owner...she now lives in Didcot, and will be ferrying kids to school. Bye bye Bianca.


Really glad you like the selection Ruth. We had fun making the cd and cover with the macs!

Founds some mores stills I didn't upload before. Is that Crillon?

Love the fab new do Claire!

lv G x

Happy CNY!

Claire with her new bob hairdo.
Nic and his really happy son!


Well-fed family.

wild gem

hey gemma and clive, thank you so much for your prez!!! a brilliant touring companion, and so sweet of you to remember. Hugh and Margaret sent such lovely roses too - what a bunch of fabby inlaws you are!

Great stills! It's the most we've seen of the prog so far!

Julian is ill in bed at home and so lots of nice comforting emails for him would be welcome. Nasty flu I probably brought back from this dirty bunch of thespians but didn't get myself! I am sitting on a very cold bench in the snow - only place with a connection! - not very good for the piles so better go. Much love to all.

Wild Ruth!

After that fabby TV show, Wild Provence- I suddenly feel the need to chuck it all in and get me some goats! That guy has all the answers!

It's great to visit the family outposts without getting out of the chair?



Here's link for those OS X users or windows bods who would love to travel more...


And now with Google Earth
we can almost see each other
from/via space!













There's the Mont Ventoux with a
low resolution satelite image.














But what about this?
That's Hazelbank!
Is that the red Audi in the drive?

And here's Wheatley on
a bright sunny morning.