A week in France walking from Cassis to Toulon - stunning views and great weather. The terrain was fairly easy with beautiful calm, isolated beaches and gentle ridge walking. There were some tough climbs into and out of coves and up to ancient lookout points, initially semaphore and now hi-tech military spaces. These where bookended with the 'psychogeography' of walking into and out of towns through suburbs and areas where man has taken control and ownership of the land.
Extraordinary food and drink accompanied the views, with many plat du jours eaten. A part of France where il floatant is king but closely supported by the cafe gourmand. A particular shout out to the excellent food at Et Bon Vent in La Ciotat @etbonvent. Toulon had an exhibition of Claude Viallat's work which inspired some ideas around flags for the opera I have become involved in/with at Sizewell. The naval museum was devoid of pomp, focusing on the military opportunities connected to the sea.
At the end a quick trip to Aubusson via train to Marseille
then TGV to Crest and a 6-hour car journey to see an exhibition by Matthew
Tyson. The town has an excellent tapestry museum with a conservation area where
you can talk with the conservers and look closely at what they are up to.
It was fascinating to hear about the choices around materials and colour. I went
out to see tapestries in situ in a small chateau out of town.
