Memo from J-P
For this page of oldquimper.com, we give the floor to Jean-Pierre, who serves as the CFO (Chief Feline Officer) of The Meadows Collection. Appointed to that position in 2007, he has gamely agreed to attempt the daunting task of taking over the duties previously fulfilled by the late, but ever-present-in-our-hearts, Porquier-Beau...whose image continues to grace the upper left corner of this link.
Jean-Pierre is fifteen-years-old, which translates to seventy-six in human years. He is still very young-at-heart and so full of enthusiasm that he has bravely stepped up to the plate.
It is with great pleasure that we pass along the latest Memo from J-P:
Greetings to all.
First a little bit about me:
Jean-Pierre is fifteen-years-old, which translates to seventy-six in human years. He is still very young-at-heart and so full of enthusiasm that he has bravely stepped up to the plate.
It is with great pleasure that we pass along the latest Memo from J-P:
Greetings to all.
First a little bit about me:
I was born in Paris and am thoroughly français despite paperwork that lists me as being a chat de la fôret norvégienne (Norwegian Forest Cat). My full name is Châtelain Jean-Pierre. Châtelain because being born in 2007... December 21, 2007 to be precise...means that in accordance with French regulations, my name must begin with the letter 'c'. Those born in 2008 have names that begin with a 'd', those born in 2009 have names beginning with the letter 'e' and so on.
Châtelain is a French term from the Middle Ages used to distinguish the seigneur or lord of the manor. We live in Quimper now, so it's more like lord of the apartment...but the important part is that I rule the roost, so to speak. Jean is in reference to Jean-Baptiste Bousquet who settled in Quimper in 1699 and Pierre is in honor of his son, Pierre Bousquet, who in 1708 founded Quimper's first modern -day pottery factory.
Châtelain is a French term from the Middle Ages used to distinguish the seigneur or lord of the manor. We live in Quimper now, so it's more like lord of the apartment...but the important part is that I rule the roost, so to speak. Jean is in reference to Jean-Baptiste Bousquet who settled in Quimper in 1699 and Pierre is in honor of his son, Pierre Bousquet, who in 1708 founded Quimper's first modern -day pottery factory.
Every once in a while I like to put the spotlight on a specific topic…it might be an unusual example of Quimper pottery or perhaps a further look at a place or structure…something that I feel will further your enjoyment of French faïence.
And then sometimes I take this opportunity to share with you some of our adventures in Quimper...because one of the results of being so gab-smacked enamored of Quimper pottery has led to the inevitable and now we live in Quimper...right in the middle of Old Town !
I'm an indoor cat, but I do see a lot from our windows and the folks are always up for an adventure. Here's a quick rundown of what we were up to last month...it will give you a bit of a taste of the sights and sounds of living in Quimper.
When the folks managed to carve out some free time, they weren't able to venture too far and wide this summer...so they opted instead to savour the sights, sounds, flora, fauna and food of Brittany ! Wise decision it turns out, as while it was rather hot here, the heat wasn't as oppressive as in other parts ! Flora was still able to show off...
..late season roses...
...the remnants of a rain shower cling to an iridescent beetle ensconced in a thistle...
...and a colorful spray of calla lilies accenting a local road divider.
Hydrangeas...arguably the quintessential flora of Brittany.
Some of the fauna we came across...these goats aren't on vacation...they are part of an ecologically-minded herd whose munching is part of a plan to replace mechanical lawn mowers.
Pigs also are part of the ecosystem of Brittany...rooting around with their snouts works up the soil to make it easier for new plants to grow and prosper.
The Breton landscape is varied and full of surprises...the winding paths of Menez Meur in the Monts d'Arrée being no exception...rumored to be inhabited by the Breton variation of leprechauns...korrigans...
...a sudden rustling in the trees and this hastily taken photo didn't capture korrigans...instead it's a bagad of pipers ! Good thing, because unlike cheerful leprechauns...korrigans are nasty little devils...intent on getting one into all sorts of trouble !
The street art scene is active throughout Brittany and, in some cases, takes over an entire building...this is a detail of an urban painting the folks came across in the port town of Le Guilvinec...
...here's the full scene.
Another Le Guilvinec image...this sign announcing Danger Vase Molle Risque D'Ensevelissement...warned of "soft mud...risk of burying". There are actually several sites in Brittany that pose the danger we know as quicksand.
Of course, the folks squeezed in a bit of antiquing whenever possible...
...and in one of the shops...unfortunately, it was closed...but in the window was a bit of "Frenchified-Americana"..a take on Grant Wood's painting American Gothic...with images of the French First Couple...Emmanuel and Brigitte Macron superimposed.
And apparently, by the looks of the following photos, the folks opted for a diet that explains the newly achieved "notches" on the bathroom scale...
Pizza in the town of Binic...
...ice cream à la maison...caramel au beurre salé avec chantilly to top off an appointment in the town of Malestroit...
...more pizza...this time in La Gacilly...
...those who have joined us in the past on one of our Brittany-Shop-n-Tours will be glad to know that Dad continues his graduate study of profiteroles...
...but after devouring this cannolo in a small family-run spot in Louannec, Mom is threatening to begin a study of her own !
That's my memo for this month; I hope you enjoy my sharing our adventures in Quimper!