Firstly thanks to all of you have accepted our invitation.
Just one month before your arrival, we are working all hands on deck to ensure that your visit is the best and that the programme is explosive!
The only thing we can’t control is the weather. So remember your swimming kit and your woolly jumpers! Exotic!
A few reminders:
To make sure your booking is confirmed, if you haven’t already done so, and since the final date has passed, we invite you to send your payment as soon as possible, otherwise we may not be able to guarantee your place. The price quoted includes accommodation, food cooked for us, the encontro tee-shirt, transport for the gig on Saturday, workshops, concert, swimming pool and birdsong. You just need your beer money and a couple of quid for sending your postcards!
Remember to let us know when, how and where you plan to arrive so we can ensure someone is there to welcome you. If you’re arriving by car, there are two options: check out this link (D) and find your way to the chateau; or set up a time with us to meet you in the nearest supermarket car park.
You will remember that our Thursday evening is entitled ‘When Batala meets Batala.’ We’ve been working long and hard on our little sketch, and our only comfort has been thinking that you too are working as hard on your sketch. So when the master of ceremonies announces Batala Lancaster, Batala Bermo …. What are we going to see?
Our Friday evening will begin with a buffet aperitif with the local great and the good, and a brief speech for them from our President. Batala Massif will set out a few local specialities for your delectation and delight: St Nectaire cheese, local smoked ham, smoked sausage. Since our encontro will be, thanks to you, international, we thought it might be nice if you could bring along any contributions, perhaps more exotic – something to broaden the horizons of the Auvergnats. So, if you have a little space in your luggage, think about bringing along something local – lamb in mint sauce, lava bread, Gouda …
We won’t have the benefit of a full moon, so campers remember your torch along with your tent, sleeping bag etc. If you’ve booked a place in the chateau, then you’ll have a bed, sheets and blankets. You’ll need a towel though!
On your arrival, you’ll be met by your host, one of the members of Batala Massif, and they will be your first point of contact during the weekend. We are also finishing off a programme for each of you, with all the information we think you’ll need.
There will be moments to chill out, perhaps around the camp fire, and it’s just then that the desire to pull out your guitar, didge, harpoon, flute, accordion etc. will hit you. So think about bringing your instruments with you, so that when the moment arrives and the muse comes over you, you’ve got what you need to hand.
Professional photographer Jeremy Lawrence will be with us all weekend. Check out his photos here www.futtfuttfuttphotography.com. While taking shots for us of the encontro, he will also be able to do a limited number of his outstanding portrait sessions exclusively for Batala at the exceptional price of 100€. Have a look at the burlesque and dance albums on his website to get some idea of what kind of unique photo you could create together.
And finally, your bonus with this final newsletter – a few photos from our weekend. Exotic don’t you think?
A très bientôt Batala Massif
