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.