The combination of another empty month in my calendar of professional concerts with the prospect of an empty house, somehow gave me wings and I ‘migrated’ south to my French haven, like a bird in search of warmth.

Upon opening the front gate, I marvelled at the laburnum in full flower -- when I first moved to London I had fallen in love with what should be Brazil’s national tree: its fresh bunches of golden yellow hanging from dark green leaves were the main reason I had wanted to plant one here, some 20 + years ago; considering that the World Cup is upon us, this sight augured well for my football team :) ! -- I was then greeted by an unbelievable profusion of colours from garden plants which I had never seen bloom: roses of all shapes, rambling or climbing with unimaginable vigour -- peonies of all sizes and colours – wisterias gracing walls and bushes -- wild gladioli in the fields -- and on and on! A spectacular array of beauty, displayed for my benefit alone! It made me happy and oh-so-fortunate to experience the miracle of Nature!

My second life, in the south of France has been very enriched by newly made friends. The feeling of being “in total communion with myself”, is nicely balanced out by the occasional jolly meal, drinking their inevitably gorgeous wine, on heavenly-suspended terraces! This time I gladly advanced my trip to attend the surprise birthday-party for Frédéric, before honouring Nicolas’ first-ever organized, the next weekend, by playing a private recital towards the restoration of a Norman Chapel in his community. Add to all this the bonus of fabulous weather throughout my stay plus the luxury of swimming to my heart’s contents in our gorgeous and very secluded pool … sigh: can you think of a better life? It feels good!

As luck would have it, I already know that I’ll be back at exactly the same magical time next year, to participate in local festivals, including my favourite: “Les Grandes Heures de St Émilion”!

I can hardly wait for May 2007 to come along!