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.