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....