Look at this, I'm late again.  However, it has been Christmas, which is now over.  Very calm and gentle here, except for the cold.  And boy has it been cold.  Managed to get in a couple of days swimming last week, but can't go again until tomorrow because the pool is closed.

Also managed to do some odd bits of painting

 

Just realised, if I actually label the photos, it's so much easier than searching at random for them! I'll add that to my list of things I've learnt today.

I have done more than those two, but they are the ones I have uploaded to the art group I have joined.  It does include doing both oil and watercolour live with the instructor.  Very fast, but quite satisfying. Quite often I repeat the painting a couple of days later in much calmer conditions!

We have decided to spend a week in the Cotswolds in February.  Hopefully we will be able to see a bit more of the family than just a couple of hours every six months.  We're booked up and the cottage takes two dogs, which is fortunate otherwise we'd have to leave them behind, and I don't think they'd like that.

I have been continuing with my sewing, slowly but steadily, and it is definitely getting better.  I don't really want to spend too many hours on it, although it is tempting, because I do have other things to do like painting, swimming, dog walking etc. and like any hobby/pastime,  it could easily take over quite quickly.

Well I think that's it for this year.  If anybody besides Perry reads this, have a really happy and great New Year 2026. 

 As  usual I'm  a bit behind! Was hoping to put a couple of pictures up, but in fact what I've done really isn't that good. I've not been too enthusiastic about painting outdoors, mainly because it's cold, wet and windy, but also because I just don't feel to keen about it.

I've done a few bits of painting indoors, but I think as winter starts to drag its heels, it all gets a bit like hard work.

I have continued with my sewing, with minor successes.  I still should work harder to make the stuff a bit better.

We had last sunday with Daniel and the family.  We were not with them that long because it was only a day trip, and we still ended up having to drive in the dark!  However, we have booked a week at an air b and b, for February.  So that is something to look forward to.

Swimming is still ok.  Regularly doing 40 lengths a session, and three days a week. 

Today is so wet, miserable and dark, it's really difficult to do anything, except think about how long till bedtime!