I think computers were invented to confuse people like me!  This time I really am not sure if I will be able to include the pictures.  However, I will try. 

Friday we went to St Gondran.  When we arrived, we appeared to be totally alone.  Had a walk round the village, didn't look too much too paint - oh dear!  Anyway, some of the chums turned up, so things were looking up.  Cute village, but a bit limited in subject matter.  So I ended up painting the church (oh no, not another church where is my imagination!).  After submitting the painting bumped into Madelaine - long time no see.  Good to catch up.  There were some really good pictures, particularly in the oil/acrylic category.  Anyway, I managed to get a runner up, so was not totally displeased.  After that were went off back into the Mayenne, but this time heading for Parne sur Roc.

Managed to find somewhere to park, actually it was in the Salle de Fetes carpark and then took a tour of the town.  Very very cute.  Bertie was totally stressed out because he had to walk very close to a lot of cats!  Mind blowing for a dog! Unfortunately Sunday was a bit overcast.  Nevertheless, I ploughed on as usual.  Painted some rather interesting buildings.  One was  a 15th century timbered place and the other was 19th century but called a Frippier, which was one where the potters worked.  The front was actually only a façade.

Prize giving was fund.  I actually managed 3rd prize cheque for 50 euros and a bottle of red!

I am now back in East Cowes getting a few bits sorted, e.g. buying handlebar tape for my bike.  Will be meeting Carol for lunch at the Lifeboat.  Well here goes, I'll try and get those pictures in......

St Gondran - no idea why it's come out so blue!

Couple of old boys criticising my painting while I was off getting a cake!

Example of how cute Parne sur Roc is

My effort - quite happy with third prize and it will be retained in the Mairie for a while (in the hope that someone wants to buy it).

Not a lot to talk about as we just loafed about for almost a week – either too hot or too windy. Managed to do a bit of cycling. We left here on Saturday afternoon – it was again pretty hot and sultry, and went down to Aze, bottom of the Mayenne. Signed on for painting on Sunday morning, competition was themed "the Mayenne river". It was a bit cold and fresh, and even had some rain. However, did get a free lunch, and Bertie really enjoyed the sausage! Although there were only a few entries, they were all good. No prizes for me. Should have concentrated more.

My attempt of Aze

OK  this may be an experiment.  I will put some information about what we have been up to and then try and download pictures.  If we end up with no pictures, then it didn't work.  We went off to Clisson for the weekend - quite a paintout!  Italian style town - very impressive.  Anyway, I won the category of Les Vignerons - which is basically the winemakers committee.  Prize included 12 bottles of Muscadet (to Perry's delight!). 

An example of some of the Italian architecture in Clisson

Me in action!

Example of some of the other 100 painters

This is what it was all about

Collection of one of the boxes!

What I actually painted!

Been over here now nearly two weeks. Doesn't time ...

First weekend we decided to just go to Hirel so that  we could see if there were any problems with the van, so it was a bit of a "shake down".  Managed to get some cycling in as well.

Couple of little Egrets. Can you see Jersey?

For anybody besides Perry looking at this blog, is this an Oyster catcher?

Last weekend we went to Pluduno, not the most exciting place in the world, however, once I found somewhere to paint, I felt OK.  Guess what, I managed to get first prize for the watercolour class! Hooray...

The old potting shed!