Well we've been back on the Island now for just over a week, and it's taken that long to get round to updating the blog.  Can't believe how much everything had grown in the garden - took ages to sort that out.  And then the general sorting out...... Well let's catch up then

When I got back to France at the end of July, it was still very hot.  Annie and Martin came out to celebrate Perry's 70th birthday.  Picked them up from Laval station and then just loafed about with them for a few days.  It was good.  Then off they went via Paris, back to the UK.

Following that we set of for a 10 day sortie.  First painting venue was in the Vendee in a place called Aiguilon sur Vie.  What an experience!  Very hot - as expected.  Signed on but there was some paperwork which I didn't really read properly - first mistake!  It appeared that a number of people had stands to sell their work.  During the competition Perry reported back that the standard was very mixed and there were some very poor paintings.  When it came to the prize giving - all became clear!  Winners 6th to 10th place were invited onto the stage and received a white envelope and then appeared to give their paintings to someone.  Then the next group.  I came 5th, got a white envelope which contained a cheque for 40 euros - very nice, then my painting was taken away from me and given to someone who appeared to have won it for 2 euros!  Running at the same time as all the events, was a tombola and the prizes were the paintings we had spent all day doing!  No wonder the standard was mixed!  All the other 50 painters who did not win anything had to parade onto the stage with their paintings in their hands and just give them away to the tombola winners.  I renamed that walk onto the stage as the walk of shame - I will not be painting there again!

Here's the picture that was given away for 2 euros!  I was actually quite pleased with it, but a little disappointed that it was given away........

Following that we went for quite a tour round the Loire area and visited a few places that we are definitely going to go to again.  The next painting venue was Briollay, on the Sarthe which feeds the Loire.  Weather was a bit dodgy, however, parted with my signing on fee (15 euros this time) and got on with the painting.  Had to deposit the painting in the afternoon for safe storage and pick up again on the Sunday.  In the afternoon there was prize giving, I didn't win anything.  After that was an auction.  Yes I did manage to sell mine, but out of 30 painters, only 6 were sold.  Another place I am not too sure about going to next year.

As you can see, I experimed with this.  Some bits worked fine, but other bit - not too sure about.

We went home after that to get ready for the following weekend which was going to be in the Mayenne - much closer to home.  Saturday we left for Saulges near Laval.  Again arrived and it was hot, and Sunday morning it rained - story of my life!  Signed on, and set up.  Weather looked as though it was going to clear so I felt ok about it all - famous last words.  Even had the parasol up - to protect from sun and drizzle - then an enormous gust of wind took the lot!  I was pretty cheesed off!  Anyway, afternoon cheered up and we had a feast of mussels and chips.  Quite a few entrants but I got the Municipality prize - which was a couple of bottles of wine, books and loads of vouchers (which I gave to Paulette).

happy bunny

Last bit paintedin the sun

Well that was the end of the painting in France.  We spent the weekend before travelling home, getting the last bits sorted.  Had a meal with Mike and Fay, which was lovely.  On the morning of our travel home had a text from Brittany Ferries informing us of problems on our route because of protesting farmers!  Great.....So we set off earlier than planned, took a different route and saw bits of Calvados that we hadn't seen before.  Crossing was as tedious as normal, and it was really good to be back on the Island.  Weather for the next few days was perfect.  Painted with the IoW group at Bembridge Windmill

Small painting of Bembridge Windmill - not the most exciting of subjects

And last Friday managed to finish a painting I started the week before at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club. It was really good to meet everyone again and to chat and paint at the same time!

France and the summer now seem so far away.  I am already using different blues for the sky and the brightness of the landscape has now become more muted.  Looking forward to the colours of autumn.  Let's hope the rain stays away to allow some more outdoor painting.

Well here we go again, confused of the computer keyboard.  Back to using a pendrive, which I hope will work.  I am sure the instructions I was given this time were different! 

Back in East Cowes again, but didn't manage to do the blog for the last 5 weeks, mainly because we were up and about!  Let's catch up then......On arrival back in France, we spent about 4 days touring the D-day beaches.  Although we had done it before with Daniel, quite a few years ago, this time it was done with "adult" eyes.  All very, very say.  Don't think it could possibly be done in our present time.  Visited Juno Beach, Courseilles sur Mer, Arromanches, Isigny sur Mer, Porte en Bessin, and Point du Hoc (which had changed dramatically from our last visit).  After all that, we went down to Villedieu les Poeles.  A place we had always wanted to visit.  Unfortunately, someone was burning some rubbish and the smoke was overwhelming, so decision was made to go home!

Following weekend was just a painting Sunday but at Nort sur Erdre a place we had never been before.  Cost 8 euros - bit cheeky because they provided nothing.  It rained - what's new and the place was taken over by the village's fete, which meant us few painters got a bit pushed out.  Don't think I'll bother next year!

Weekend after that was back to Couleurs de Bretagne.  Starting with Paimpol - of course it rained!  I even managed to paint the same boat as I had painted the last time we were there.  Had Saturday night at Tregastel then moved on to the next venue - which I think started with Plo...... that's the impact it had!  Guess what, it rained!  Tuesday, Bastille day was at Guerlesquin - again!  I really don't like that place, and we vowed it would be the last time we go there.  Guesss what - it rained!

Went home a bit grumpy, and not really sure where to paint next.  Perry suggested going to Magne (near Vendee), but the turnaround at home had to be done within 24 hours. So we did it!  Stayed in a great place on the way down - Bussac (I think), really, really hot.  Fantastic chateau.  Then went on to Magne.  On arrival I was not entirely convinced.  Had a look round the place on our arrival on Friday night - still not sure.  25 euros sign-on!  Anyway, stayed in an Aire up the road in Coulon, and went back to Magne on Saturday morning.  Guess what - it was raining!  Well I made the decision to sign on because we had driven so far.  Then bumped in to Stephan - had a chat, and he was very persuasive that it was all OK.  Eventually started to paint in the damp!  Even had my parasol up to keep the rain off.  It was certainly getting dodgy.  Then the sun came out.........it was just like camp Granada!  Hundreds of painters suddenly appeared and the whole place changed!  Absolutely fantastic.  Apparently we numbered nearly 300.  Although I've included some pics they just don't do justice to the number of painters and spectators.  I have increased the size of paper I am now painting on, but my pictures looked as though it had been painted on a postage stamp when compared to the others!  Never seen such huge paintings done outside!  All in all a great time.  Met up with some others people we know and Sunday night had a meal in Coulon.  Must just say that the area I painted in is called Vensie Vert - and we knew nothing about it.  If anyone wants a holiday in the area, it is absolutely lovely.  Flat roads, easy cycling.  Good eating.  Lovely scenery.

After that we moved off into the Vendee.  First night we were in an Aire by the sea, which we heard all night.  After that moved on to Mesquer for next painting.  When we woke up on Wednesday morning it was still so incredibly hot that the thought of trying to paint watercolour was just a non starter.  So we decided to come home with the air con on in the van all the time!  Bertie was very pleased.  Unfortunately the weather changed, wet and windy!

Right now I'll try and get these pictures on.....

Nort sur Erdre - not really that spectacular.  In the end I sort of got pushed out out the way by other events taking place at the same time!

Paimpol - same boat as last time, but I think painted a little better!

Plougonven - painted in the rain!

Guerlesquin - painted in the rain (but at least in shelter).  Very depressing place!

This is Caulon - giving some idea of Venise Verte - we were in the Aire just about 100 yards up the road and this was also the village where we had our meal with our chums...Definitely come here again.

Here is the poor old dear again.  Notice discarded rain coat, but parasol is now because it was getting hot.  Passed out dog was not really a lot of help, apart from trying to drink my saucer of Cobalt Blue, which I am sure is not very good for him!

This is the final and I hope gives some idea of the crowds of people trying to see who won what!

Look how tiny my picture looks against the others!  And there were some huge ones....

Any example of one of the huge ones - who did he do that! I'd have to practice weight lifting for ages becaue my arms would just ache having to move the paintbrush around so much!  You can actually just see me under the green parasol! 

Well here's my effort.  I wasn't that displeased with it, but as it was so small it really didn't have much impact at all!  Not too bad in the living room though....

I think computers were invented to confuse people like me!  This time I really am not sure if I will be able to include the pictures.  However, I will try. 

Friday we went to St Gondran.  When we arrived, we appeared to be totally alone.  Had a walk round the village, didn't look too much too paint - oh dear!  Anyway, some of the chums turned up, so things were looking up.  Cute village, but a bit limited in subject matter.  So I ended up painting the church (oh no, not another church where is my imagination!).  After submitting the painting bumped into Madelaine - long time no see.  Good to catch up.  There were some really good pictures, particularly in the oil/acrylic category.  Anyway, I managed to get a runner up, so was not totally displeased.  After that were went off back into the Mayenne, but this time heading for Parne sur Roc.

Managed to find somewhere to park, actually it was in the Salle de Fetes carpark and then took a tour of the town.  Very very cute.  Bertie was totally stressed out because he had to walk very close to a lot of cats!  Mind blowing for a dog! Unfortunately Sunday was a bit overcast.  Nevertheless, I ploughed on as usual.  Painted some rather interesting buildings.  One was  a 15th century timbered place and the other was 19th century but called a Frippier, which was one where the potters worked.  The front was actually only a façade.

Prize giving was fund.  I actually managed 3rd prize cheque for 50 euros and a bottle of red!

I am now back in East Cowes getting a few bits sorted, e.g. buying handlebar tape for my bike.  Will be meeting Carol for lunch at the Lifeboat.  Well here goes, I'll try and get those pictures in......

St Gondran - no idea why it's come out so blue!

Couple of old boys criticising my painting while I was off getting a cake!

Example of how cute Parne sur Roc is

My effort - quite happy with third prize and it will be retained in the Mairie for a while (in the hope that someone wants to buy it).

Not a lot to talk about as we just loafed about for almost a week – either too hot or too windy. Managed to do a bit of cycling. We left here on Saturday afternoon – it was again pretty hot and sultry, and went down to Aze, bottom of the Mayenne. Signed on for painting on Sunday morning, competition was themed "the Mayenne river". It was a bit cold and fresh, and even had some rain. However, did get a free lunch, and Bertie really enjoyed the sausage! Although there were only a few entries, they were all good. No prizes for me. Should have concentrated more.

My attempt of Aze

OK  this may be an experiment.  I will put some information about what we have been up to and then try and download pictures.  If we end up with no pictures, then it didn't work.  We went off to Clisson for the weekend - quite a paintout!  Italian style town - very impressive.  Anyway, I won the category of Les Vignerons - which is basically the winemakers committee.  Prize included 12 bottles of Muscadet (to Perry's delight!). 

An example of some of the Italian architecture in Clisson

Me in action!

Example of some of the other 100 painters

This is what it was all about

Collection of one of the boxes!

What I actually painted!

Been over here now nearly two weeks. Doesn't time ...

First weekend we decided to just go to Hirel so that  we could see if there were any problems with the van, so it was a bit of a "shake down".  Managed to get some cycling in as well.

Couple of little Egrets. Can you see Jersey?

For anybody besides Perry looking at this blog, is this an Oyster catcher?

Last weekend we went to Pluduno, not the most exciting place in the world, however, once I found somewhere to paint, I felt OK.  Guess what, I managed to get first prize for the watercolour class! Hooray...

The old potting shed!

Well we are about to set off to France again on Tuesday and yes, I know, I haven't really been keeping up to date with the blog - probably because things are pretty mundane.  Anyway, in  a nutshell, I've been painting, Perry's been cycling and all three of us have actually managed to sail somewhere.  Now I'll put some pictures in and see if they tell the story...

I've been on an oil painting workshop, again, and we did have a session en plein air.  This was done on my pochade at St Helens/Bembridge.  It was a pretty cold and windy day, but at least I managed something.

Second day out painting with the Isle of Wight Art Group.  (The first one at Mottistone Bluebell Wood was a bit cold and windy and I wasn't too satisfied with the result).  Started off a bit fresh although sunny.  Drawing was OK, but I rushed the painting.  Only did two and a half hours in total - much less than I would normally do in France, and unfortunately it shows!  Better start concentrating....

This is Quarr Abbey, showing what the watercolour was attempting to show.....

First proper voyage this year.  We left our mooring  relatively early, and set off towards Wootton, aiming to turn round when we met up.  Ended up going virtually all the way to Wootton before we crossed paths. Bertie found the whole thing exhausting, so fell aslee just after we went past East Cowes Esplanade, and remained that way for most of the journey.

What an exciting group.  Here we are moored up at the Folly. Had a jolly lunch in the Folly.  Weather was lovely.  Bertie was horrified that we were going back home in the boat, he thought we should walk back.

This is us on the way back to our mooring (we are just of East Cowes marina here).  If you look carefully you can just see Bertie on deck next to me.  The others had to go back down to Wootton, but we had already done that in the morning!

The oil painting I completed in the workshop.  I think maybe I bit off more than I could chew here.  Perhaps I should have tried something easier!  However, I have enjoyed my little dabble in oil, and when we get back will have another go.

And about time too...Yes I know I've been a bit slow getting round to updating the blog.  Too much or too little happening!  Survived Christmas.  Actually, it was pretty good.  Got to see Annie and her family, and had a good time too.  Over to Daniel for a couple of days, and that was good too.   As it's been a bit on the cold side I haven't really got down to doing much painting, certainly a lot of chatting, but not much painting.  However, I have rediscovered my sewing machine and have been doing a lot of sewing.  Perhaps that had better stop, it's more expensive than painting!

Enough chatter, I have done four paintings since the last blog, so here they are.....

This is actually in oil and is based on one of the really harsh winters we had in France.  The picture does look a bit bluer than the original.  I must admit, I did have some fun painting in oil, although I got a bit bored towards the end of it.

This is also in oil and is from a photo taken on the same day but looking in the opposite direction.  This is a much smaller picture and done on board, not on canvas.  Also completed much more rapidly!

View of Steep Hill Cove.  Managed to find a sunny day in January and off we went for a treck.  Pen and ink sketch on watercolour paper.

View of Ventnor from Steep Hill Cove.  This was from a picture that we took on the same day as the sketch above, but looking in the opposite direction!  Yes the sky and the sea were as blue as that even though it was January.  However, it was a very sunny day and looked almost South France in its colouring.  Roll on a few more sunny days, the grey, wet weather is becoming boring!