Had a grown up conversation with the much-loved wife about next October’s Marathon de Chablis…… ‘I think I’m going to have another crack at the marathon next year.” “No you aren’t.” Always good when a married couple can have a civilised discussion I believe.

It’s a dog’s life in Chablis

Really surprised to wind down the car window to talk to a friend in Chablis this morning and find myself talking across the legend that is @Feargal_Sharkey sat in the passenger seat. I hope you’ve enjoyed your festival weekend in our beautiful town, sir. #chablis

First use of my tastevin with my neighbour and fellow piliers Chablisiens Benoit Droin

Chablis marathon this morning. They’re bloody hard work I can tell you. So we stopped for breakfast at the Chablis bar. Meantime Fabien of Chablis Wine Not delivered an extraordinary 3 hours flat over a brutal course 18 months after we first started jogging together. Bravo 👏👏👏

Many years ago @CrossEyedPiano I stopped overnight in a little village on the Marne. Don’t remember where. Crossed a one lane bridge over the river up a hill to a football pitch. Opposite which was a graveyard. With a plaque. 17,000 men died in one day defending that bridge.

Couple of pre Chablis marathon Dauvissats with @EaterWriter

It’s finally happened……..Hope none of the neighbours saw it pull in. “Will you refuel my milk float please?” “Nope. Give the narcissistic, megalomaniac, man baby cult leader who conned you into buying it a call. I’m sure he’ll help.”

The new car debate is over. We went for a practical little 2 seat runaround in the end. Which we drove round the corner to the Chablis bar. No point in owning one if you can’t show it off eh?

Found a ‘19 Vaudesirs in the man cave to celebrate the day of the chef

A simple Chopin mazurka to take my mind off the wretched ‘cello (which is sulking in the corner of the guest bedroom) and the far more challenging piano pieces I’ve been working on for several months. It’s part of my mini recital at the conservatoire in a couple of weeks.

Slightly ‘off piste’ for me this evening. Long Depaquit make great Chablis. Their grand cru moutonne is one of the best Chablis you’ll ever taste. But the price. 😢But because it’s not a family domaine it’s not one I buy. This was a gift from a guest.

P119 @CrossEyedPiano Can pianists really read whilst practicing? I’ve heard this before. My mind wanders sometimes but not to that extent.

Grumpy prof de violoncelle……. ‘That sounded awful John.’ ‘What, you agree?’ ‘Hard not to.’ ‘Well do something about it.’ ‘If I could I would. Be grateful you only have to put up with it an hour a week. I have to listen to it 2 hours day.’ Bad ‘cello lesson today 😥

‘Morocco-bound’ @CrossEyedPiano 👏👏👏 I can hear my dear dad singing it now. ‘I’m Morroco-bound. Like Webster’s dictionary’. Not heard it for 30 years. 💔

The wife just accused me of getting a bit grumpy in my old age. ‘Getting?’ I said. ‘GETTING?????’

Wine is a strange old business. Just picked up 10 cases of our own label Chardonnay, 8 x 5L boxes of rose and 3 bottles of crème de mure (in case anyway brings aligoté to the house) and this boot load cost almost exactly what I sell a single bottle of Dauvissat Les Clos for.

I’ve drunk just two great ‘21’s. Both from the same 1er cru. I picked the grapes for this one.

Conservatoire presentation passed without incident last evening. One of our composition students gave birth earlier in the summer. Her beautiful daughter attends lessons. Baby slept through the talk and questions. Sat silently transfixed whilst I played my Bach. ❤️🎻🎼🎶🎵

Good news and bad news on the Tokyo trip. Bad news. I’m not doing it. I’ve been in an airport before. (Stansted Ryanair). I can’t face it again. Good news @CrossEyedPiano I’m reading your book I was saving for the flight.