Oh the weather has been awful!  We are beginning to get ready for Christmas on the boat, but forecast is looking pretty grim.  Have been doing a lot of preliminary passage planning for forthcoming trip.  Got as far as Caledonian Canal, but still about half to do, and then more detail on top of that.   The work and purchase list seems to just get longer and longer.  Daniel, Catherine and Jenny came down to see us for a couple of days.  Was really pleased to see them, but only wish the weather could have been a bit kinder. 

what a happy photo - and that's before we tucked in to the food.

Perry has now got a cold (he thinks), but that's not going to stop us having a jolly Christmas.

Well, it's been a couple of weeks since I last posted, but unfortunately it's been a period of inactivity,  We had been waiting for Perry to go into hospital for the operation on his hand, but every Wednesday for the last three weeks it hs been cancelled, and he has now found out that it won't be happening at all!  NHS cutbacks....... So in the meantime we had been delaying doing anything much.  Also the weather has been a bit dull and damp, which is non inspiring. So now it looks as though we had better get on and do a few things, and with Christmas in a few days time, must get the boat ready.  We are hoping (weather dependant) to spend Christmas on the boat, so need to sort out what we are going to eat!

Hey, I'm flying solo. No supervision. Let's hope I can get the pictures transferred ok.  Not much going on this week. Bertie had a haircut - fabulous.

Look at that for a smart haircut and he got a green bow, which he has now been wearing for almost a week.  Looks like Perry won't share his cheese and cracker!  Meany....

 Weather hasn't been too good either. However I went on an oil painting workshop in Newport on Friday.  Not too pleased with my effort - looked a bit dull, but the photo from which I was working was a bit dull as well.  Perhaps it was a bit too complicated as well.

Yep, it still looks dull. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It's Wednesday. It seems as though I am slipping a day each week.  Still at least the blog is now reasonably up to date!  Interesting week.  Perry spent a few days sorting out the engine, then we decided to go away for a few days.  But on Saturday Perry lost his keys.  Spent most of the day looking for them.  In the end found with a load of spanners! Left East Cowes on Sunday, filled up with fuel, and set off for Yarmouth.  Lovely sunny day.

A race going on at Lymington.  Not too much wind, but enough for these boys!

Doing very well.

There was even a Westerley Konsort racing amongst this lot.  We arrived at Yarmouth at a sensible time - and then things went wrong.  Someone asked if they could help us with our lines.  Should have said "no". Unfortunately, said "yes" and they proceeded to help us - not!  Didn't tie up the lines so we drifted out away from mooring.  However, we did manage to sort it, but it didn't look too good.  After that put the water on for a cup of tea, and rushed off with Bertie for a pee.  Came back started to make the tea, and noticed water all over the floor.  Checked it and it was warm.....oooops.  Water was rising faster than I could clear it.  Eventually Perry did hear my shouts and passed the bucket.  Long story short - he had left the water tap on in the heads (on Saturday) and the sink had filled up and overflowed - everywhere! Sorted.  Then back on deck he managed to lose his prescription sunglasses in the drink!
We had initially planned to go through the Needles on Monday, but tides weren't right, so we decided to swan about in the Solent.  Back into Yarmouth and then wander round taking photos for the oil painting workshop I am going on.

Another view of Yarmouth which I will attempt to paint on Friday.

Left about 8.00 on Tuesday and buzzed back to East Cowes.  All in all a successful outing.  Bertie had his hair cut today and now looks like a puppy!

I should have posted last week, but we had visitors! Very unusual.  Colin  and Christine came over from the mainland to visit their grandson and came to visit us as well.  Had a great time catching up.

Following our long walk a fortnight ago, Bertie and I visited the ground of Osborne House to take photos of the autumn colours.  Hope to do a painting from them.  However, more importantly I bought a bike!  Have only been out a couple of times on it so far (also weather has changed, and got really cold), but it's a real whizzer....

what a sweetie

Have changed saddle, pedals and handlebars, but it was only a second hand bike.  Hopefully next blog will have a few more interesting pictures.

Busy, busy, busy. Weather has been good, but no sailing because Perry is doing some repairs to the "facilities" on Bloto.  In the meantime I have finally been doing some painting and some good long dog walks.  First up, finished the oil painting workshop.  Partly successful, but I could seriously have done better.  Subject matter was a bit out of my comfort zone, so therefore I should work harder at it!

This was just an oil sketch on board.  Only took an hour.

Yarmouth Harbour.  Spent most of the time on this.  Some bits OK, but on reflection there were a number of areas that could have been improved.

In the meantime I started some watercolour studies at home to hopefully help me work with a limited palette and yet have harmony with the colours.  Below is the study I have done so far

Tones and colours seemed to work but need to do some more.  I also did the same with oil, but with much more limited success.  That is definitely a work in progress.

Pretty tricky!

With his entry bandana round his neck, Bertie staring at hundred of dogs.

On Sunday Bertie and I went on a sponsored dog walk!  Typical, we got there far too early, which meant Bertie got a bit knackered before it started.  Had a look round some of the displays, and there was one of dog beds, which he proceeded to try out.  I think he wanted to stay there!  Event eventually started at 11.00 and there were loads of dogs.  Poor boy was totally shocked by it all, he'd never seen so many dogs all in one place.   He even gave up barking.  He tried being in front most of the time but had to give way in places.

At Island Harbour, the half way point, where refreshment was put out for the dogs. 

Well he managed the 5k and received a rosette and a certificate.  However, he was absolutely ravenous, and fortunately I had some treats for him which he wolfed down.  As soon as we got home I had to give him a hearty lunch and then he passed out!

Well this is the poor soul after and exhausting day.  Never seen so many dogs and never had to walk with so many of them!

Although I have a lovely new smart laptop, I wasn't expecting my camera to fail. So unfortunately although I have done  three paintings (albeit two sketches) I can't put them on the blog until camera is fixed.  Perry is away in France at the moment, as he took advantage of an opportunity to get over there and bring his motorbike back.  So not sailing at the moment, no pictures to put on the blog, basically a total disaster this week - and on top of that, it's been raining.