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.