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!

And again...late getting the news out! What a hopeless blogger I am. It's just because since we've been back we seem to be busy all the time.  Well, here's catch up.  I have finished the outdoor painting with the Isle of Wight Art Group and my last painting with them was at Wolverton Manor.  What a place!

Wolverton Manor.

Hope this depicts what a lovely place it was.  It was a bit cold painting, but at least it didn't rain.

I also finished a painting of steps in which I experimented with some ideas I have had for a while. I think it worked.

Study of Steps

Also I attended a course hopefully to improve my oil knife painting.  And the following is of hay bales (photo taken in France).  Tutor felt it was a bit controlled and I should have been much looser with the knife.  I did another painting, much smaller, but I felt it was too messy.  Must try harder.

Hay bales

We have also been sailing.  Not too far, taking advantage of the relatively light winds, but mainly to get Bertie used to the boat.  He certainly seems to be getting the hang of it now and he and Perry often "pop" down to see if it's OK.  He's really nifty at jumping on and off as well.

A posing skipper

After a couple of hours sailing, this boy is really really hungry.

Just cannot concentrate.  Must eat, now!

Weather forecast for the next week is absolutely grim, so it doesn't look as though we will be out again on the boat.

Yet again I have been remiss in updating the blog, but hopefully all will now be sorted.

It has been very hectic since we've been back and today is our 42nd Wedding Anniversary - amazing!

Latest news is as follows:

First Tuesday we were back, after yoga, I painted with the Isle of Wight Art Group at the Royal Victoria Yacht Club. Weather a bit fresh, and sun intermittent, but I did manage something....

Managed to paint a couple of "squibs" before they moved them.  A regatta was being held at the weekend.

Osborne House - Following Tuesday's painting.  Again sun made an appearance later in the morning.

Mottistone Manor Gardens - Yesterday we decided to go for a picnic.  Fabulous place.  Bertie had a really good run around.  Lovely colours, and very, very warm.  Think we'll come back here for another visit before we get into winter.

Today's picture. Lakeside country club at Wootton.  Again a little overcast first thing, sun only appeared about half an hour before I finished.  We are starting to get a touch of autumn colours.  Should be great in a couple of weeks.

And of course one of the very important event.  On Sunday Perry cycled round the Island.  (He said he was only going to do half, but I knew he would do the lot).  He managed to get a medal (I should think so too), which he let Bertie wear for the rest of the evening.

Should is still uncomfortable, but I will be going for physio soon.  As today is our wedding anniversary I suppose I had better rush off into the kitchen now and make a bit attempt at making something edible.

Saturday 23rd august - Combourg. Weather still unsettled. As usual I listened to someone else's suggestion and ended up painting something I had no enthusiasm for!

Sunday - Bazouges la Perouze - really don't like this place. Weather again unsettled,but at least I think this turned out to be the best picture I've done this summer - and of course it's the last one for me!
 Saw a programme on dog behaviour, so now Bertie is having training lessons. However he prefers foraging for blackberries.

We are now in our last week here and beginning to get things ready for the return. Have to get van ready for its winter rest home.
 Frozen shoulder is still frozen. Had dinner with Mike and Fay yesterday. Great, but over ate again. Guess what - forecast is for good weather!

 Bazouges la Perouze

 Combourg

Thursday 14th August - left for St Benoit des Ondes where we had superb mussels and chips. Unfortunately after that the heavens opened! Went to Jugon les Lacs where it was still raining hard.
Friday painting - ok, but overcast in morning,then started raining again.

Bit wishy washy but never mind. Decided not to go on to Quintin and moved to a nice aire near Pleslan.
Saturday lunch at Hirel  via Lidl at St Malo. Then headed home - no rain, typical.
Sunday to wednesday, showery.
Saw a programme on fat dogs, so now Bertie is on a diet. Also saw Pamela, who is here fir a quick visit. Pleased.

Today I am just trying out our World SIM wifi rather than using Mike's internet.
Just for interest sake, of the 20 or so books I have read this holiday,my favourites are
Diary of a provincial lady
A short history of nearly everything
Wolf hall
The Rosie project

August

Back from England - met a couple of nice American ladies on the ferry.  They were undertaking quite a trip - best of luck girls!

Perry met me off ferry and we went home. Left on Saturday morning for Lanvellec.  Sign on was at a chateau - incredibly impressive. However, day started off a bit damp - what's new!

How lovely is this.

 

Here's my version.

A week later, we are in Elven.  However it rained all day!

Sunday, St Nicholas des Eaux.  Unfortunately I am getting a bit bored of going to places we have been to before and also painting in the rain! Have to start think of something else.