A few days ago, we did finally manage to get out of the marina!

Yep, we're in the Solent. 

Didn't do too well folding up the full enclosure, but we're working on it.

Happiness!  Actually Bertie is more comfortable on this new boat than he was on the other one, although perhaps it's not evident here.

Since then it's either rained or been too windy.  Today has been incredibly cold, so that was a non starter as well.  However, lockdown 2 has finished, but we will see what is in store for us all.  Things are still a bit limited, but there is light on the horizon.

We're still not out of lockdown 2, but at least we are now nearing the end.  We've finished with the electrician, but it has meant that Perry is left with the final sorting of the work.  Not a good situation.  We have finally managed to fill up with fuel, and had a fun session on the boat watching You-Tube and eating cake!

All being well we should manage to get out tomorrow for a little sail.  There should be sun and a light breeze.  

Still managing to do a sketch a day, but it's pretty rough.

Christmas looks as though it is on, but in a very limited way.  That's ok. I am sure we will manage to get through it.

 Still in lockdown, only 20 days left to go.  Electrician has caused  couple of problems on the boat, but Perry is working on it.  Bertie had an insect bite, or it could have been an allergy, anyway had to go to vet.

Not a happy dog as you can see.  Satellite dish came off yesterday, but we have to keep an eye on him to make sure he doesn't bite his leg again.  

Fortunately, wind has been unsettled so we probably wouldn't have been able to go out sailing anyway.

Sketching continuing, but no painting.  Bit difficult to get motivated.

 Well here we are in lockdown 2!  Went down to boat yesterday to fuel up, but the queue was enormous.  Gave up.  Only to discover that the fuel jetty is in fact open during this lcokdown.  It was a lovely day, and guess who forgot their camera!  As we are able to access our boats this time, I will try and remember to take some photos.  Painting has been non exstent, although I have managed to pick up my rough sketch book for the last seven days - well at least that's progress.

Fortunately we saw the family last wednesday, otherwise we would not have been able to see them until December.  

Take care everyone.

 Well finally last weekend we managed to actually sail the boat - and put up two sails.  It was just the right weather to check things out.  Shook out the first two reefs, and the sail looked good.  Lovely sunny day as well.

Lovely sailing into the Solent

Skipper getting more familiar with the unfamiliar wheel.

Enthusiasm as usual.  Tied up again, so he's happy.  Actually he does seem a little happier on this boat, more places to get comfortable although that is becoming difficult as his back legs weaken.

Still waiting for autopilot to be fitted - four weeks now. Apparently it should be completed today - let's hope so.

 I know, I'm late again updating things.  Well we have bought Bloto 4, a Hanse 315.  Very pleased with her.  However, she has wheel steering.  Oh my goodness, something new to learn.  The purchase was not a smooth as we would have liked, and unfortunately there were a few things that had to be sorted before we could move her over to East Cowes.  (Which cost quite a lot!).  We put the boat on our original mooring, but we had already decided to move her (or in fact, the previous boat) to East Cowes Marina for the winter months, because having lost so many months of sailing this year, we felt we would at least get some sailing in during the winter.  So we moved the boat, and are now happily moored up in the Marina.  We are awaiting the installation of an autopilot to make life easier when we are sailing.  We have been over to Bucklers Hard, where we met Daniel and Alice and had a lovely weekend, although it rained.  

Autopilot should be installed sometime this week, so hopefully we will be on the move.  Bertie appears to be more comfortable on this boat.

getting ready for the departure

on the mooring at Hamble Point Marina

new captain working with the wheel

now firmly tied up at East Cowes Marina

So we are now just waiting for that autopilot......  take care everyone

 Well the sale of La Pelouiniere has gone through and so has the sale of Bloto.  We are closer to the purchase of the new boat - fingers crossed there are no hickups.  The aim is to sign the contract on Monday and bring it back the following weekend.  It has been a bit frustrating being boatless, and we have watched countless You Tube sailing videos.  How sad is that.

We have still not gone out much and socialising has been very very limited.  I do wish a vaccine could be found soon for coronavirus because we want to get on and do things and feel safe as well.

 Oh dear, just looked at the date of my last post!  Mmm.  Not very good.  Coronavirus has a lot to answer to.  Briely, we've managed to see the granddaughters once.  They are lovely.  Perry and I have a couple of health issues, which I suppose are taking over a bit at the moment.  Bertie has been extreemly unwell, particularly in the heat.  He is now on all sorts of medication.

On a much lighter note, we have sold La Pelouiniere, final date should be 31st August.  We managed a lightening visit over there to clear the house, put a huge amount of stuff in the van and lots in the car.  Philippe and Paulette have kindly let us use their barn to store the van.  However, a week after we got back visitors from France have had to quarantine for a fortnight.  Lucky we got back when we did.  But now we don't know when we will be able to collect the van.  October, November, who knows?

The other bit of news is that we have sold Bloto (Hanse 301), sale is complete, and we have put in an offer on another Hanse (315), which has been accepted and we are now going through the throws of completion of that purchase.  Could be as early as next week.

I have done virtually no painting in the last two months, and have even given up on the dressmaking.  We are certainly in unprecedented times, and it is really all a bit unsettling.  Still.  Ever onwards and upwards.

Lost count of what day we are in lockdown.  The heavy part has now been lifted but we are still unable to travel to mainland, because limited number of ferries.  We cannot meet up with Alice and Beatrice because there is a limit to the number that can meet up together and we are not allowed to hug them!  Additionally we are not allowed to overnight on the boat.  However, we have managed to go down to the boat and had a few picnics.  Also managed to sail in the Solent and up and down the Medina.  Poor old Bertie has been suffering badly in the very hot weather, so we have had to be very careful.

Poor old boy.

The boat finally got lifted out at Kingston - it was due to be lifted out just as the lockdown happened.  However, Perry has discovered all sorts of problems - rudder shaft, prop and saildrive.  So although we can't actually go sailing and overnight anywhere, looks as though time and money will be taken up with repairs!

I managed to do a total of 60 oil sketches, both on paper and board.  Stopped now.  I have also been out a couple of times with watercolour sketchbook, and that was lovely.  Then it got cold!  Weather has picked up today, so might go out later with my sketch pad.  Even had to resort to doing some sewing in desperation.

Unfortunately I think there may be further problems with this virus, but for the moment let's stay calm.

well here we are in official lockdown day 42, although us oldies have done an extra week on that.  There is a possibility that we may be coming out of this soon as the Island is going to trial a track and trace app.  Apparently it will only give information if about 50% of households use it.  Well I suppose it depends how enthusiastic islanders are to get on with normal life!

Have continued sketching and oil sketching.  Some bits of progress here and there, but at least it's getting paint onto something.

Well I've just checked the images and nothing appears to have got onto the normal file.  Not to worry, we're still in lockdown. Next post will have the pictures.

Oh dear.  Looks like another three weeks of lockdown!  Managed to get the minimum amount of shopping and getting milk supplies from the milkbar.  Other than that, walk with Bertie is about as exciting as it gets.  Even started looking for jobs in the house.  Finally we have some decent lights in the living room and bedroom.  Perry is even going to put up some electric towel rails.  After that.... who knows what jobs are left.

I've been continuing with my oil sketches.

I've even had to order some more paint!  I have enough for another 24 oil paper sketches.  Let's hope that we're not stuck in for as long as that.

Well take care anyone who reads this, besides Perry and make sure you stay safe.

We are now in our third week of "lockdown".  Bit tedious.  Wish we could actually go somewhere, which wasn't just a walk with the dog or get in supplies.  And of course the weather has been glorious.  Couldn't get the boat lifted out for it's annual bottom scrubbing, everything is closed.  Perry is getting pretty bored! I've been carrying on with the oil sketches.  Started off ok and even got a little better, but now I think it's got a bit boring.  Need to concentrate a little harder.

Ive divided the oil paper up into quarters so it's a bit more like doing an oil sketch.   First four days.

Next four days, some bits were a little better.

Next four days.  Some improvement here and there.

And another bunch of days.  This time I think we are going backwards.  Difficult on oil paper because it really does absorb the paint.

Despite all, we will carry on.  Perry cut Bertie's hair this morning as he's getting a bit hot.  As we will be confined to quarters Perry will have a few weeks to work on this project!

I've done quite a bit of cooking, and yesterday we had instant banoffee pie! Not the best for our health.  Although I have made some soup which clears my conscience.

Well stay safe everyone (or Perry because I am sure he's the only one who reads this, and that only when I tell him).

Day 2 of total lock down in UK.  We are limited in the number of walks we can do, and that includes those with Bertie!  Don't know whether he's bothered or not with having a change in his routine. The harbour master has closed all access to boats so can't even go down and sit on Bloto.  I think in the next day or so, Perry may start climbing up the wall!

I have been painting to fill in some of the time and filling in my sketch book. 

Dont ask why it is at wrong angle - watercolour.  Not the best but for the moment it will do.  I had an idea of what I wanted to paint, but it didn't really happen.  And this was my second attempt.

Oil painting sketch on oil paper.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well what a mess. Here we are in so called almost lock down or self isolation as it is supposed to be called.  I think I prefer social hybernation, and will stick to that.

Fortunately we managed to see Daniel and Catherine and the babies last weekend.  Thank goodness we did, because it's unlikely we're going to be able to visit them again in the near future.  It was absolutely lovel - apart from the weather.  Those little cuties are growing so quickly and already developing individual and endearing characters. 

Perry was supposed to have gone to France this weekend to clear some of the stuff from the house, but managed to defer the date.  Which was lucky because since then Brittany Ferries has cancelled all passenger ferries to France and Spain! 

I have been a bit slow doing the blog as I have been getting pictures ready for three exhibitions - and guess what - two have been cancelled and the other one is just about to be cancelled!  Expense and effort... still never mind.  All being well I should be able to exhibit at a later date.

Friday I found the whole thing of isolation absolutely depressing and lost it for about an hour.  Crazy lady!  I'm ok now.  Took some advice from the internet and am planning my days a little better.  Still managing to take Bertie out for a walk so we do get some fresh air.  Shops have been empty but the roads are still full of cars.

I managed a full day of action yesterday.  Yoga, painting, dog walk, icecream making (yummy) and chocolate cake making (yummy).  Today is Mother's day so I'll start on that ice cream later on!
I have been in touch with a few friends and all appear well.  So if anyone besides Perry reads this make sure you all stay well.  I'll plug on with painting and try and keep this up to date

Yes, I'm behind again, but I have been busy.

I attended a workshop day with Becky Samuelson and this is result - oil.  Very please with this.  It's supposed to be Compton Bay

Watercolour of Osborne House.

Watercolour of Urquart Castle

Attended workshop with Paul Weaver in the Cotswolds.  Animals in landscape.  Here's the start.

managed to get this in the wrong place, and now can't move it.  This was the last painting I did with Lee's workshop.  Oil

Back to animals in the landscape

Unfortunately I don't seem to be able to rotate this!

Monochrome - quite pleased with this

Now getting things ready for the exhibition I will be doing with Meryel.  Cards, posters etc.  I have got about 15 paintings and today I willl have to purchase a load more frames.  Additionally the RVYC exhibition is coming up soon, as well as the IWAC at Quarr.  So lots of pictures to prepare.

When I was at my painting day in the Cotswolds I used the time to  see Daniel, Catherine and the babies, and it was absolutely lovely.  Even got involved in bathing the babies - goodness haven't done that for nearly 40 years.  Managed to put Alice's pyjamas on without getting into too much of muddle. 


Yesterday my new pochade finally arrived.  Absolutely lovely.  Must get out and paint the big outdoors. 

Still managing to do a sketch a day - started 1st July last year.  Unfortunately last few months have been indoors, but I am sure this awful weather will change soon and can start going out again.

Bertie is definitely feeling his age now and spends a lot of the day in a very deep sleep.  Walks are not as long and active as they used to be.  Poor chap.

Bit behind at the moment.  Went to see the babies last weekend.  Lovely.  Should have taken a photo because I am enrolled on another of Lee's oil painting courses and the subject is children.  Unfortunately the weather was dull and pretty cold so didn't manage to take any photos.  So I will have to work with what I've got.  I am also enrolled on a watercolour painting day in the Cotswolds, but that is not until end of Feb, but in the meantime had to make reservations etc.

Also went to Meryel's birthday party - which was lovely. And I'm still suffering a little from my cough and cold, and the weather has been miserable...etc.etc. etc.

Meryel and I are still putting together things for our exhibition in April.  I have to display 16 pics.  Although I do have a few more than that ready (well not in frames yet), I think I will use the next few weeks to try and paint some more that I would feel happier displaying.

Had a spend out at Italian Touch yesterday, because it's my birthday in a few days time!

What depressing weather.  Rain and grey. Ugh. Haven't managed to do much painting because I have been getting over an awful cough and cold.  On the mend now.

May be a repeat here, but view from coast near Brook

Bertie's new jumper

Just playing with some sort of still life