Busy, busy, busy. Weather has been good, but no sailing because Perry is doing some repairs to the "facilities" on Bloto.  In the meantime I have finally been doing some painting and some good long dog walks.  First up, finished the oil painting workshop.  Partly successful, but I could seriously have done better.  Subject matter was a bit out of my comfort zone, so therefore I should work harder at it!

This was just an oil sketch on board.  Only took an hour.

Yarmouth Harbour.  Spent most of the time on this.  Some bits OK, but on reflection there were a number of areas that could have been improved.

In the meantime I started some watercolour studies at home to hopefully help me work with a limited palette and yet have harmony with the colours.  Below is the study I have done so far

Tones and colours seemed to work but need to do some more.  I also did the same with oil, but with much more limited success.  That is definitely a work in progress.

Pretty tricky!

With his entry bandana round his neck, Bertie staring at hundred of dogs.

On Sunday Bertie and I went on a sponsored dog walk!  Typical, we got there far too early, which meant Bertie got a bit knackered before it started.  Had a look round some of the displays, and there was one of dog beds, which he proceeded to try out.  I think he wanted to stay there!  Event eventually started at 11.00 and there were loads of dogs.  Poor boy was totally shocked by it all, he'd never seen so many dogs all in one place.   He even gave up barking.  He tried being in front most of the time but had to give way in places.

At Island Harbour, the half way point, where refreshment was put out for the dogs. 

Well he managed the 5k and received a rosette and a certificate.  However, he was absolutely ravenous, and fortunately I had some treats for him which he wolfed down.  As soon as we got home I had to give him a hearty lunch and then he passed out!

Well this is the poor soul after and exhausting day.  Never seen so many dogs and never had to walk with so many of them!

Although I have a lovely new smart laptop, I wasn't expecting my camera to fail. So unfortunately although I have done  three paintings (albeit two sketches) I can't put them on the blog until camera is fixed.  Perry is away in France at the moment, as he took advantage of an opportunity to get over there and bring his motorbike back.  So not sailing at the moment, no pictures to put on the blog, basically a total disaster this week - and on top of that, it's been raining.

Well only a week since my last post, so this must be a miracle!  I didn't do much in the week, but attended part 2 of the oil painting workshop on Thursday.  It's getting a bit tough, but must persevere.  Carried on with it at Friday's painting session at the Royal Victoria.  Arranged to meet up with Dick and Judith at Buckler's Hard on Sunday, so got some bits and pieces ready.  Left on Sunday an hour before high water.  What a fantastic day and sail we had.  A sparkling day, got off Newtown before we turned and headed back to the entrance to the Beaulieu River.  Dodgy entrance, but got in any way.

sailing West towards a huge fleet of boats that appeared to be coming out of Lymington.

Difficult to quantify the number of boats, but there were hundreds.  There appeared to be a race going on.

 Arrived in Buckler's Hard about two-ish and met Dick and Judith, who fortunately took our line (better than making idiots of ourselves) and had a great afternoon and evening just chinwagging.  Very quiet and calm evening, and woke up to sunshine on Monday.  Dick and Judith had to clear off home, so we were left on our own until our afternoon departure.  Had a few walks with Bertie and then had an extra long one to find out how far up the Beaulieu river the boats were moored.  Never got to the end, it just went on and on.

As you can see the boats just went on and on..we must have walked a total of 4 miles.

Looking at some of the moored boats by the marina at Buckler's Hard.

 Well after wearing Bertie's feet out, we got ready for the departure. It took half an hour to get to the mouth of the Beaulieu river, and then forty-five minutes to cross the Solent and get to East Cowes - tide was with us all the way.  Had supper on the boat, then home.  Not sure what's next on the sailing agenda, perhaps I need to rename this blog, as I haven't done any painting.  Better work on that!

New computer will hopefully make me keep the blog up to date.  On a painting workshop in Benbridge but didn't really have good subject material.  Fortunately this weekend we had planned a long sailing weekend, so I knew I could at least take some photos.  Forecast not good to leave Friday, and Saturday it just rained, so we decided to leave Sunday morning.  Left the mooring at 1200, nice and sunny and tide running our way (which makes life so much easier).  Buzzed down to Yarmouth.  I did actually do a passage plan, which Perry checked and then put a plan on electronic chart plotter.  Lots of people in Yarmouth, but got a good mooring.  Snooped round the town as usual, and Bertie was quite happy.   Monday started off lovely, and we had intended to go over to Lymington, but just as we were sorting things out got a message from Judith about strong winds coming.  At the same time Perry was checking out Coastguard forecast and yes, strong winds were forecast for the next few days.  So that finished our plans and we checked out of Yarmouth late morning. 

Well here's the boy checking out his new toy and working out the trip home.

Clouds forming over Yarmouth.

Had a reasonable motor sail back to the mooring.  Must admit it looked as though everyone had heard the forecast at the same time and we all eager to get home!  Tied up about 1.00 ish and finished the voyage with a huge lunch.  Cleared up and went home.  A bit disappointing because it ended up a much shorter trip than planned, but it is always better to be safe than sorry.