he Painting School is situated on the first floor of a large house and comprises the main studio, a large discussion room, a studio/kitchen and bathroom. Facilities include easels (both studio and field) and drawing boards, but do not include paints, pencils, brushes, paper or picture supports (though a good supply of these is available at current shop prices). In particular, we stock turpentine and fixative because these are forbidden on aircraft.

tudents have the use of a number of Gites de France (officially approved holiday residences) in the village, each of which, besides bedrooms and bathrooms, has a fully equipped kitchen, a lounge and a balcony or garden most of which have extensive views over the surrounding countryside. Normally bathrooms are shared between two students, but private bathrooms may be available at an extra charge. Communal breakfast will be served daily in one of the gîtes. Experience has shown that people who come to the Painting School have very different eating patterns and dietary requirements, so at their request, we have changed our policy of organising daily meals at the restaurant. Instead we arrange four meals when everyone eats together as a group. These take place on arrivals day, on the second day, on the last day and on one other day. Three of them will take place in the Painting School and be cooked by my daughter who has recently taken a post as a chef at Les Tables des Consuls, a local Restaurant. The fourth will be at another location. All other meals students arrange for themselves. For those who wish to eat out, there are two restaurants in Castelnau de Montmiral, namely the Restaurant des Arcades and Les Tables de Consuls. Anyone who wishes to self-cater can do so, whether separately or as groups in their gîtes: Sometimes students have very much enjoyed buying local produce and pooling their cooking skills. Supplies can be purchased at the local Mini-Market, the Patisserie, at shops in nearby Gaillac and on Tuesdays at the weekly market in the Places de Arcades in Castelnau de Montmiral.