Bling hits Lodéve, France

Rear of the Lara Bling Temple, Lodève, 1 hour north west of Montpellier in France.

Home of RIGPA outside of Tibet

Jane in front of a Stupa , which is full of saffron. Unfortunately it has shifted since construction and saffron can be seen to be leaking. So, inside this wonderful piece of Carerra marble is half the worlds supply of would-be-curries and orange robes.
Beautiful.

Barbara in her 'tearoom' afront her shrine.

Peter stands near his shrine

These cabins are the premium end of accomodation at Lara Bling. Individual huts with 2 occupants . They are sponsored by generous supporters, who when they wish to attend events at the Temple, resume possession and so the longer term occupants resort to tents within the compound.

Peter, Jane and Nel then Nel, Barbara and Peter Caldwell at the Lara Bling Temple. Peter and Barbara are there on a 3 year retreat.

These are picts taken in April, I've only just been able to retrieve the discs. (Long way around via Switz/ Dubai/Bangkok/Australia/Switz. So these are out of synch with the timeline of this blog set.

Brancusi, colourful rooms at the Pompidou Centre and rude Swiss clocks

Verrry rude Cuckoo clocks they have here.

The Pompidou Centre. High church to modern art.

Renzo Piano' early work before he got to Sydney

A few tips on adding colour to your room maybe? Breathtaking.

Well, what should one, can one say about Brancusi? Hmmm?

l to r: Fish, Room layout, Birds in space lined up for takeoff.

Swan Lake. Ooh... aaah...

Did you know that only the Royalty are allowed to eat Swans?
Let's see, ring neck of swan briskly, pluck, wash and pat dry, stuff with chestnets (shelled), add liberal amounts of salt and pepper, butter, garlic and leeks. Stuff mixture so formed into Swan cavity.
For that special added touch, place 6 baby quails inside cavity, stuff each quail with pheasant eggs.

Bake in a slow over for 5 hours , baste regularly in-between rounds of croquet.

A 1963 Chauteau Pape du Neuf should do well to accompany.

Rü & Ivan leave, Peter arrives from London.

Left: Peter at our fav beer o'clock lakeside.


left: Qui Qui loves asparagus. Likes his wine too.






Left: Mario Vera my boss and Rölf discuss a lingering point of lunch.


Below left : Ivan Jennings my office mate checks out his leaving pressie Baume-Mercier Desk clock. Peter looks on.

Left: Peter Barwick , incoming from London replaces Rü von der Emden who has been with Nestle as Brand and Packaging Manager for over 35 years and is retiring. Bow ties and all. Me with a glass under my belt next to Rü.