:: London/France June 28 - July 5, 2002 :: Several firsts: first time in France, first time attending a Django Reinhardt Jazz Festival, first time camping in a tent. London & Whitstable, UK Samois-sur-Seine (1) Samois-sur-Seine (2) Paris With Ed, on our way to Pellier. Ed says the countryside looks just like Tennessee. Yep, a relaxing time indeed! Marie, Aurore's mom, says it's a tradition to have guests mow the lawn for her. It was fun actually; besides Ismael did more of the work than me. So, breakfast became lunch, and we spent all afternoon with Aurore and her friends and family. With Omar, and a cute little snail. Omar made an amazing lunch (involving no snails, by the way); I would love to eat that meal again right now, I can still remember the taste. The snail. Aurore is a beautiful, funny and fascinating gal. She studies Burmese history and also did some acting while living in Burma. With Marie in her gorgeous garden. At the end of our relaxing afternoon in Pellier, there was just enough time to get back to the festival and catch the last act, Biréli Lagrene. Then it was off to L'Hostellerie de Seine, for a light supper. Some musicians from the festival came to the restaurant and played. It was all going so lovely. I left the table and was in the restroom for just a brief moment, when I heard an amazing clatter out on the terrace where we'd been sitting. Suffice it to say that there was an over-turned table, guys with trouble written all over them, and a midget involved. Also suffice it to say that you wouldn't want to get into a streetfight with Aurore; she can hold her own ;) The festival wouldn't be complete without one last jam. I was excited that Michael Gray of Pearl Django was jamming. We got to harmonize together a bit. I really enjoy his playing. Got to jam some more with English violinist James McGee. I had a lot of fun with him and his gang. Who can forget the story of the framed disintegrating underpants?! Monday morning. Bleary-eyed and sated with music, it's time to break down camp and head for home. Here I am with Mac, the great guy who let me stay in his flat in Whitstable and who also gave me a ride to the ferry in Dover. Next stop, Paris. This is wonderful Lambert, from Holland, who drove me to Paris. London & Whitstable, UK Samois-sur-Seine (1) Samois-sur-Seine (2) Paris