The Estonian Philosopher.

[Stanley Edwards]

It's all about you, of course it's a good book.

Yes. That's right. People love me.

I have police problems First adamant 'you can't do that' in France. Not because I was sketching, but because I was sitting on the ground. Seems that is illegal. Bit of a bummer really, because there are no benches here. You are only allowed to sit down in the cafe terraces according to these police. I'll try again this evening. I need to finish this sketch and sell it.

I'm down to €150 in pocket. Nice hotel is paid for for tonight. New jeans. No new boots yet. I have 25 Meters of paper and new very nice pens that seem to be good for 4, or 5 sketches each. Laundrette this evening. Shave. Bath And hit Avingon with whatever I have left after paying train fare (hopefully covered this evening). I'm guessing it will be about €25.

Just met a very beautiful person who has spent most of her life in France and lived in Brixton for a couple of years when she was 18. I hope to see her again before I leave. I have a Million and One questions to ask She has one of the most lovelly names I've ever come across. Obviously, her parents are fucking hippies.

I'm WiFi-ing sitting on the ground outside McDonalds (they're good for something). It's probably illegal. Gotta move on - I am falling out with Montpellier. Feel like I've outstayed my welcome! Police have been very cool and friendly generally. Perhaps they will leave me alone this evening.

 

[kabbes]

You know, Sir Digby, you really do need a Ginger if you're going to do this properly.

 

[not-bono-ever]

Im still confused about this title - estonian Philosoper ? Is it Kant ? Hes buried in Kaliningrad - thats next to Estonia? whats it all about?

 

[Stanley Edwards]

And, today's beautiful gift...

I went to buy a beer and came back to find a nice little vase of flowers on my sketch Sadly, more hassle from teenagers today. Some oink kicked the flowers over before walking all over my sketch. I am going to scare thye fucking shit out of him before I leave This didn't happen anywhere in Spain.

 

[Stanley Edwards]

Im still confused about this title - estonian Philosoper ? Is it Kant ? Hes buried in Kaliningrad - thats next to Estonia? whats it all about?

I met some Estonian poets, anthropologists and philosophers in Spain about a year ago. They were good company and a good laugh. Respectably published and good conversation. I spent a fair amount of time with someone who may, or may not be reading here. For some reason (given it's such a small country) I have many, many invites to visit Estonia. However, I have yet to receive a reply to any emails I am THREATENING to visit!

That's sort of about it. Friends to visit in Latvia and Lithuania also. Always wanted to visit Poland. I don't have a real job, or mortgage, or partner, or children, or large automobile...

Any excuse really

 

[Stanley Edwards]

 

[Lock&Light]

Im still confused about this title - estonian Philosoper ? Is it Kant ? Hes buried in Kaliningrad - thats next to Estonia? whats it all about?

This sort of comment usually deserves the answer, "Read the thread".

However, in this case, that won't help much.

 

[Stanley Edwards]

This sort of comment usually deserves the answer, "Read the thread".

However, in this case, that won't help much.

It's a little esoteric

If I reach Estonia all will become clear! Erm... maybe...erm... I'm just after a free holiday TBH

 

[kabbes]

You're turning up unannounced at the homes of people who, filled with the fervour of being on holiday and the confidence of knowing they were half a continent away, politely told you to visit if you were ever in the area?

Stan, they didn't mean it. It's just one of those things you say. They're going to be *incredibly* pissed off.

 

[Stanley Edwards]

You're turning up unannounced at the homes of people who, filled with the fervour of being on holiday and the confidence of knowing they were half a continent away, politely told you to visit if you were ever in the area?

Stan, they didn't mean it. It's just one of those things you say. They're going to be *incredibly* pissed off.

Maybe, but they were very insistent.


I'm in Avingon (or, however it's spelt). Just €15.40 for the train. I do like TGV. I can't find a hotel room. First 7 I've tried so far have no vacancies, or no vacancies for me at least. I'm beginning to get paranoid about this. Initial impressions are of an up it's own arse little tourist hellhole. The place is full of fucking posers. I may not go down to well here. I'm exhausted. I have to find a hotel room. It's not cheap!

 

[kabbes]

I've been to Avingon on a day trip. I liked it well enough. It had some nice bars to sit in. Seemed like an expensive place though -- a good place for you to avoid, I would have thought.

 

[not-bono-ever]

Stanely - youve Seen Mr Beans holiday yes ? you may be able to get some Avignon money making tips from it

( its actually not a bad film all things considered )

 

[kabbes]

Do all the things being considered include the fact that it's a shit film?

 

[not-bono-ever]

compared to the TV series, its Citizen Kane. Have you seen it ?

 

[kabbes]

I have seen it. Hah! You were expecting me to say that I haven't BUT I HAVE.

And the TV series was much better

 

[not-bono-ever]

bah!

 

[Stanley Edwards]

I've been to Avingon on a day trip. I liked it well enough. It had some nice bars to sit in. Seemed like an expensive place though -- a good place for you to avoid, I would have thought.

It's a gone out of date, grey haired brigade fucking pisshole. Little 'petit trens' trollying geriatrics around a town with fuck all to see, or do.

€48 for a room with bed and sink. Nothing else. I'm down to €20 and worried. Taking an hour to cool (it's very hot and humid) then going out to try and find somewhere to work. I'm not hopeful. Saving the €20 for a return to Montpellier if needed. This place looks like my idea of hell. Perhaps I'm wrong

Oh well, at least I have a backpack full of clean clothes, new jeans, loads of paper and pens...

 

[kabbes]

Bearing in mind that it was briefly the home of one branch of the papacy, it's fair to say that it has always been somewhat of an establishment town.

Although it was the antipapacy, which sounds a bit dangerous.

 

[Stanley Edwards]

Woah! The mistral. I like it, but it does turn some people a little bit crazy. A dry north wind clearing the air and exciting and vigorating people.

Someone just called me a vagabond


I can make money here

 

[goldenecitrone]

Woah! The mistral. I like it, but it does turn some people a little bit crazy. A dry north wind clearing the air and exciting and vigorating people.

Someone just called me a vagabond


I can make money here

Told ya.

 

[Stanley Edwards]

Told ya.

It's not going to be as good as Montpellier. It is expensive, but there is a campsite. Maybe buy a tent to use for a few days, or just get a train to... erm... not sure where to head from here Perhaps I should stay here until I have enough cash to get me straight to Switzerland. Although, I did watch a programme about Strasbourg on the train station promotional telly. That looked like a good place for me to make money. Where is it¿¿??

 

[Stanley Edwards]

OK. Avingon is most definitely not working. People are just viewing my sketches as litter. It-s another Carcassonne = dumb fuck tourist hell. I need to avoid these places. I think I am going into the danger zone. Heading towards Nice. Up the coast to Italy. To the lakes, and then into Switzerland.

Problem with these little tourist towns is that people come here to be told what to do. They just cannot be arsed with anything that is not described in English, or American in the tourist guides. I rely on locals for good work. The locals here are not locals. They are people living here to be seen living here. Nice will be worse, but... I have a feeling there is something special to be tapped into there.

Whatever cash I have in pocket by 7PM buys a train ticket to the coast as close to Nice as I can get.

 

[Stanley Edwards]

I think I have enough to get to Vincent town. No artist can come this close and not visit Arles

Another tourist hell, but it is Vincent tourist hell. I shouldnt have shaved my beard. Perhaps I should buy a bandage? Getting the train now. Going to get hammered and recreate THAT painting

 

[phildwyer]

Switzerland has been called many things, but never "the danger zone." Until now.

 

[Stanley Edwards]

Switzerland has been called many things, but never "the danger zone." Until now.

I don-t think I am alone in thinking a certain die hard breed of facist cunts occupy the corners of Switzerland, Germany, Italy, Austria...

But, I was referring to Nice. I will love it, or I will hate it. I think I can make things happen there.

Anyway... trains to Arles for an evening of mad painting terrace scenes.

"Starry, starry night...."

 

[Stanley Edwards]

I'm being Vincent

Arles is being extra special. I'm getting the luck and loving the place already. It has a very gentle vibe. Not overcrowded with tourists right now and loads to sketch and paint and all those Van Gogh scenes come to life.

A very strange set of coincidences last night. Looking around at places to sketch I noticed more than a touch of the Santiago de Compostela about the place. Shell of St James symbols everywhere and their very own Holy Door like chirch front in Place de Revolution. Indeed there is an Arles way to Santiago.

I then sat down and rummaged through my backpack looking for stuff to chuck away - it's way to heavy, when I came across a little book all about Vincent that had been lent to me about a year ago by someone in Santiago de Compostela. It's been in my backpack ever since. Fully intending to return one day, but I don't have a postal address and I'm pretty sure she never wants to see me again So, I'm sat in a square reaqding about Van Gogh's days in Arles and reminiscing about beautiful female company. A bit of female company would be nice I'm thinking...

"Hello, I'm a beautiful young woman from Malta". Not her exact words, but... We end up spending the night on the banks of the Rhone with the Van Gogh scene above as our setting. Which sounds very lovely (and it was), so no need for me to post photographs of the contemporary concrete and halogen reality and Two people who woke to find themselves peppered with mosquito bites. It was nice

This morning I was completing a commission for someone (I am getting good work from the locals already) when suddenly...

"Hi, I'm a mega successful PR guy working on a new tourism project for Arles. I'd like to pay you a small fortune to complete a series of sketches". Not his exact words, but...

11AM appointment tomorrow will hopefully see me sorted for cash to get to Nice and a nice lump sum donation to a good cause.

Oh, lucky days are back. I have nice hotel for a couple of nights with my own bathroom

 

[Stanley Edwards]

I'm sitting in this bar. I think my beer is going to be very expensive. People tell me it hasn't changed at all. Recreated people. Recreated. It's a small square with every square inch taken up with seats. No room to paint an interpretation of this one. Think I'll do the Rhone instead.

La Cafe la Nuit.

Looks like I am going to be here for a few days. Despite the obvious sell it doesn't have a very touristy feel. Plenty of real, everyday people around and I've hooked up with a French guy and German guy who are being more than tolerant with my French speaking. Good people I will learn lots in a few days.

 

[Stanley Edwards]

I met the Queen of Arles.

I'm researching for my commission - an all encompassing sketch of everything Arlesien. Sort of job I like. Any excuse to get 'in there' asking all the questions.

Arles is very close to the Camargue. White horses, bulls, flamingoes. As we're in France I have to include wines and food.

Arles has a very good collection of Roman architecture amongst many other historical periods.

There is a Running of the Bulls festival, thw World renowned photography festival. Many other festivals.

It has been home and subject to many famous artists. Van Gogh, Cezanne, Guagin...

My client wants the sketch delivered wuth a touch of 'English humour'??? He doesn't want bloody bull fight scenes. He probably doesn't want me to mention the fact that 23 differnet species of mosquito can be found here. 2fucking3!!!

Anyway...

"Hello Queen of Arles, I'm a scruff shyster alcoholic artist from England. Can you tell me all about your traditional dress and roll as Queen?".

QoA is not a role you're born into. It's more like an intellectual beauty pageant competition. You have to be the years super woman - good at everything!

It's a fun job, and more work commeth. Arles is being extra, extra special in many ways

 

[Stanley Edwards]

Erm...

Right. Let's get this pup into PhotoShop and start manipulating. Why the fuck did I think a Daisy Cow with horns stuck in the middle of a beautiful sketch was a good idea?

Arles. I have met the queen, shaken hands with the mayor, collecting good work ande good connections everywhere. So, why was Avingon so much more crap¿

Think I-m going to vectorise and then invert and play again :?

 

[Stanley Edwards]

Sunday evening in Place de la Republique, Arles. One of the reasons I like this city is that it's street culture is very similar to Granada. Everyone outdoors doing their own thing. People talking to each other. Nice friendly, relaxed atmosphere.

Think it might be time to walk on. More work on offer here mind. Will Nice be as good?