The Estonian Philosopher.

[Stanley Edwards]

Might risk 2 Euros on Berlin by September, but really who cares? It's more about the journey than reaching the destination.

Quite

I'm just waiting for a client to pay me then I move. I'm tired of Arles. Very nice gift today mind - a signed photograph from a relatively well known name to add to my collection.

Met some interesting people also. "Hello Mr German man, how did you end up in Hong Kong?". He: "I had the Rolls Royce franchise". OK, I'm listening

 

[Lock&Light]

I've got fıfty quıd says not before Xmas.

Any takers? Mıght gıve thıs thread a bıt of ınterest...

I find this thread very interesting. And entertaining.

 

[Stanley Edwards]

Things that go wrong Nº1057

Wake up thinking "right, just 1 more sketch, get paid, do a sketch for Held, give him a bit of cash and get the fuck out of here". Easy. Then, I arrive at my pitch to find this...

WTF

This sort of thing can happen often during summer. I think they're beginning to pack-up. My plans may not be affected too much.

 

[dessiato]

We were thinking of you this weekend, we went to Vigo for lunch with a friend who had never been out of Portugal! Told him about your adventures. As a result he has decided he wants to travel a bit before settling down after university! You are changing lives! He is serious, he has applied for quite a lot of jobs in the UK just to get experience

 

[Private Storm]

I find this thread very interesting. And entertaining.

So do I. Keep up the sterling work Stan.

 

[phildwyer]

I find this thread very interesting. And entertaining.

Me too. Is ıt a bet then?

 

[phildwyer]

Actually I've got a fun idea. Got to clear it with Stan though, or it'll be binned as a call-out.

Stan: would it be OK if I started a thread where people could bet on where you'll be on Xmas day?

 

[Stanley Edwards]

Actually I've got a fun idea. Got to clear it with Stan though, or it'll be binned as a call-out.

Stan: would it be OK if I started a thread where people could bet on where you'll be on Xmas day?

Go for it. I chuck €50 to the server fund for closest guess if they give also.




---


Leaving Arles.

Finally I move on. A slow hike to Aix en Provence. I need a couple of booze free days with exercise.

I leave Held with options

1: He's been offered a new 6 month contract with a promise of long term work if all goes well.
2: His doctor has recommended him for accommodation in a re-hab home (with his own space).
3: I've just posted a letter for alternative accommodation.
4: If all else fails he has a room on offer from his Moroccan friend.

He has gone back up to 50mg/day from 40. Not surprising given the circumstances. He's doing OK really
and he has helped me loads. In the short time we have known each other we have almost become brothers.
We will keep in touch. I'm getting out whilst things are still tidy, but I will return.

Bit of a good result really

No portraits for the web. They are very nice, sensitive, honest and real photographs. Too honest
for sticking up in the public domain - they are just for me

Final job for a restaurant here. Then, to market for new boots. Then, I get walking and back into shape.

Arles was a bit fantastic for many reasons. I loved it!

I'm feeling a little unfit mind despite the very healthy eating.

 

[goldenecitrone]

At least you liked Arles. I quite liked Avignon. Each to their own I guess. Happy walking. Did you know that Held means hero in German?

 

[Stanley Edwards]

...Did you know that Held means hero in German?

No, I didn't.

Nice guy. I may well tell his life story here another time. We had a very, very deep conversation last night. What a fucking shit life


Anyway...

Me? I'm fucked Managed a 6KM hike in the heat before giving up. I'm now waiting for a bus to Aix en Provence. I'll arrive very tired with about €5 in my pocket. Tired. Fat. Exhausted. My own fault!

 

[Stanley Edwards]

Aix en Provence was hell 90% sure I saw Victoria Beckham drive along the boulevard. 10% sure I was halucinating from tiredness, dehydration and hunger. Not a single functioning public toilet in that city. Stinking rich. Showy in a footballers and footballers ex-wives sort of way. I was spoiling the panache, so I ran.

Nice evening watching the lunar eclipse mind. Followed by a group of around 50 -60 people of various ages Irish Dancing in a small plaza until police stopped play at around 3.30AM. Pics will come.


I am now in a very nice little seaside town close to Nice. Fejus - old town, port, beaches, very middle class, very safe, huge retail estate with kids fun on the outskirts. If I was a family man I would bring family here to holiday. Children seem to love it here.

I arrived exhausted. With rain threatening I started work immediately in the central plaza. Within five minutes the guy from the Moroccan teashop put a table by my side with glass and pot of sweet mint tea. Just what I needed and totally unprompted. All here have been more than just friendly so far. They love what I'm doing. I have new sandals for summer.

Currently hanging with an Americam artist called Steve Paul. He is hanging BIG abstracts around town. No idea why, just crazy fun.

I like it here. Intend to leave for Nice Monday, then straight onto Italy.

Oh! And, this place has the best Saturday market I have ever seen. Fantastic.

 

[Stanley Edwards]

Oh dear. Shouldn't have spent all my money on new sandals Thinking today would be a busy Saturday it seemed a good idea. The things that can go wrong. This morning was market until 2PM - nowhere to work, but still thinking I would have the whole afternoon and evening I spent a bit of cash at the fantastic market. 2PM start work only to be told immediately I couldn't work today because there are lots of weddings A no cash Saturday I'm skint without cigarettes The wind is galeforce fucking hell. Think I've got that German Lidl ecoli also. On the plus side I have free WiFi and outdoor electric socket, but if I had the cash I would be in bed now TBH.

Dusty shit and post 10 weddings rubish blowing into every corner. This is not going to be a nice night.


Hopefully I will sell something tomorrow morning and start walking.

 

[dessiato]

I was thinking of you earlier. There was a man sitting in the bar where we were, sketching. It was a nice sketch of the square. I thought of buying it but he stopped before finishing the sketch and left. He looked quite wealthy so might have given me it if I'd only asked.

 

[Stanley Edwards]

I was thinking of you earlier. There was a man sitting in the bar where we were, sketching. It was a nice sketch of the square. I thought of buying it but he stopped before finishing the sketch and left. He looked quite wealthy so might have given me it if I'd only asked.

Nah. It's only us poor artists who give stuff away. He was probably Damian Hurst on holiday in disguise.

I've recovered (financially at least), but those damn Germans and their branded ecoli all over the telly here They'll get it back 10x when I get there.

I'm doing a cheating bus ride cause I've broken my little toe. Sandals was the worst decision I've made so far. If I have understood I can get a bus to Nice on Sunday. I might be wrong.

Frejus police and me are friends again. It's a great little holiday town. Everything a family holiday needs, and not really that expensive. Do the dirty stuff at Carrefore (or, Lidl if you're brave), 4 course quality set menus at around €17/head. Cheap stuff a short walk away. Theme parks, animal parks (I'll bet the Germans' still do zoos ), other parks. They are actually 100% on the ball for family stuff.

Onwards and upwards...

I am so, so, so tired.

 

[Stanley Edwards]

Nice. I like.

I knew it would be a love/hate thing. I love it

My batteries are dying. I'll come back later with pics.

 

[Stanley Edwards]

This is Madrid by the sea.

As tired as I am, I'm going through the night to get to know people. It is fucking well cool as fuck ATM. I suspected it might be. The pretentiousness has gone. It's out of fashion with nthe people I don't get on with. It's in with everyone else. Beggars and peddlars get free 'rights', so no reason why I don't get my fun free from police hassle either.

It is a very, very cool mix. I'm going to have fun ande make loads of cash

I just have to save a couple of €'s tonight. So long as I wake with €2 in my pocket.

Get your holidays booked people. This is Europes coolest little city. Seriously. It's only going to get better.

 

[Stanley Edwards]

Me and Nice just fell out big time

Huge conflab with police for completing a commissioned sketch in a public space for a client. Illegal apparently. Stood my ground and asked them to charge me, reinforcements came

Will post more details if I find a bar with WiFi and electric. It was more than a little bit shit. I'm out of here as soon as I can get out.

 

[not-bono-ever]

If you do get to St Petersburg, the filth will empty your wallet if they pull you.They did us like kippers.

 

[Stanley Edwards]

I still like Nice really, but that was absurd to say the least.

I'm sketching for a client...

"Sketch the plaza with my bar, I'll put it up in the bar
and pay you €50" he says.

Nice work. Comes with drinks and food. Sorted.

So, I'm just sketching. Not asking for money, but people always
drop coins. Then some idiot with the most severley plucked eyebrows
I have ever seen (I'll swear when he's off duty he does a drag act)
comes along and tells me I can't do that.

A long conversation follows. Ends with me saying "OK, charge me with
whatever you think I'm doing is illegal". He then calls his mates in
Police National (young, new recruits). By this time I've got support
from everyone in every bar. People are giving me coins and notes )),
people are asking the police why they are arresting me etc etc etc.
Then they get a bit scared and call for back-up. It's all getting a bit
stupid for 'sketching in a public place'. I ask them again to charge me, or
leave me alone. Now they get ugly. They have guns, so I pack up and leave.

Fucking ridiculous. All because some vain fascist cunt in a uniform has
an inferiority complex. Life must be sad when you have to spend 4 hours
a day in front of the mirror

Fuck them. I'm finishing my work today, and I'm taking it to court if
I have to.


I also have a mural to complete for an Hungarian family home (v posh).
I knew Nice would be good for work. Despite the hassle, I still love this
dirty, disgusting, beautiful, adults only, little city

...pervy photo Others follow...

 

[Stanley Edwards]

Filthy, beautiful little city. Cool as fuck

 

[dessiato]

Is that the Easyjet cruise ship? Looks like the engines need a damn good service.

 

[Stanley Edwards]

Is that the Easyjet cruise ship? Looks like the engines need a damn good service.

I was choking just looking at it. The engines need more than a clean. Are boats expempt from emission controls?

Last nights hissy fit with police is proving to have been a good move. I'm getting fed and watered out of respect for standing up for OUR rights. Nice. Sometimes it goes the other way.

Waiting for my new friends to play an ACDC set in the central plaza. They're not gonna do Rosie, but they have promised Highway to Hell just for me

I need pizza.

 

[Stanley Edwards]

Nice - you fucking mental, mental, cool as fuck little city. Love the place, but I'm getting out.
One of us was going to have to die and odds were not in my favour. I am a fucking mess How many
days have I been here? What day is it?

I'm turning down work and getting a train to wherever. Love this city, but it's a bit too full on.
I'm getting into pointless arguments with police (whilst getting deluded ideas about being an artists
freedom fighter, or summat ), pointless conversations with anyone, pointless anythings with anyone!

Fabulous music festival last night. Every street corner with a different band. Rock, pop, blues, metal...
just drift around town and find live music everywhere. By 2AM there wasn't a square inch of space
without broken glass under foot.

Talking with a couple yesterday, we came to the conclusion that Nice actually has a balance of French,
Italian and Spanish cultures. It's a bit of a mix with a fantastic (but, stoney), huge beach. It is well
worth a holiday weekend, or week. It is strictly ADULTS ONLY. Not in a sex shop and prostitution sense.
Just an hedonistic air of adult holiday wrongness. I love it

Can't remember when the last decent nights sleep happend. I need one.

 

[Stanley Edwards]

DP wobbly WiFi.

 

[Stanley Edwards]

*sigh*

Just been to a physiotherapist. Not just a broken toe, but torn ligaments (again, I was warned). 9 weeks rest if I want them to recover, but they will never recover properly, so what's the point? I can still walk. A bit of Ibuprofen and Two minutes warming up the pain has gone. If the damge is done beyond repair I see little point in doing nothing.

That was carrying too much weight in my backpacks.

Anyway...

Onwards and upwards. One last sketch here in Nice. Whatever it fetches is spent on a bus ticket (hopefully to Italy). The farther I get from Granada, the more I miss it. I am beginning to get more than a little apprehensive.

 

[dessiato]

*sigh*

Just been to a physiotherapist. Not just a broken toe, but torn ligaments (again, I was warned). 9 weeks rest if I want them to recover, but they will never recover properly, so what's the point? I can still walk. A bit of Ibuprofen and Two minutes warming up the pain has gone. If the damge is done beyond repair I see little point in doing nothing.

That was carrying too much weight in my backpacks.

Anyway...

Onwards and upwards. One last sketch here in Nice. Whatever it fetches is spent on a bus ticket (hopefully to Italy). The farther I get from Granada, the more I miss it. I am beginning to get more than a little apprehensive.

Take care of your foot, without it you will be going to far fewer places.

Granada will still be there when you finish this walk, you can go back if you want to.

Continuing to wish you well in your life and travels.

 

[Stanley Edwards]

Take care of your foot, without it you will be going to far fewer places.

Granada will still be there when you finish this walk, you can go back if you want to.

Continuing to wish you well in your life and travels.

Thanks. I was feeling a bit homesick yesterday. My foot isn't actually that painful, it looks far worse than it feels (about twice the usual size with inflamation). You can get a bus from Nice to Barcelona for just €62 - worth remembering in case I don't manage to get a flight for the return trip.

I'm heading towards Torino (I think).

 

[dessiato]

Not been there for a very long time, it is beautiful.

 

[Stanley Edwards]

Goodbye Old Friend...

I've just binned my Stetson Railway Networks engine drivers leather cap It was a good journey, but it had to end soon.

I'm off to Italy: All new image!

I see little point in trying to compete on the style front, but style is important, so I'm playing safe with classic convention and an English twist

From bottom to top... my new black leather sandals, dark indigo classic cut jeans (nice and simple), plain black T with a crisp white cotton shirt worn open on top. Beard down to a Nº1, hair down to a Nº3, fine mesh straw Panama which is currently being customised with my shell of St James brass button and a feather I shall be colouring indigo. I like my new style Oh, and I'll have to buy myself some dark sunglasses for wearing at night. I think it is the law in Italy to wear dark sunglasses at night.

A nice thing happend in Carrefore (of all places). I found the hat there. Whilst queuing at the check-out I started to chat with the women in front of me. She then asked me how much my hat was. "€10" I tell her. I'm thinking she wants to buy one herself, perhaps for her husband, perhaps she wants her husband to look like me...I'm thinking lots of things I shouldn't admit to publicly, so I won't.

When she pays for her shopping she turns around and gives me €10 saying "this is for your hat - goodbye". Nice!

Possibly worth mentioning the mass skinny dipping session on the beach at 2AM last night also. It sort of typifies Nice.

Think I'm taking a nice hotel and getting the bus tomorrow. Either that, or more nakedness on the beach tonight.

 

[Stanley Edwards]

I'm stuck in Nice

I keep hitting the beach every night with about €50 in my pocket and waking up surrounded by topless Germans in the morning with fuck all in my pocket. It's one of those cities. Party, party, party. Really tired today. Trying a couple of coffees to help find a bit of energy and motivation. I have to work and get out of here!


Perhaps I should avoid the beach tonight?