OK ages again since last posted. I have been painting, although the results have not been too successful, hence why I am not putting them on the blog.  Attended a watercolour/mixed media course.  Was pretty good, but I definitely need some practice on that one.  Have also been attending course on painting animals in the landscape - in oil.  The course has been ok, but my results so far have not been too good.  I have just started another one in the hope that I can actually produce something that's reasonable.

Had a viewing of the boat, but comment was that it is too small!  Perry is in France at the moment checking La Pelouiniere, should also have had a visit, but client didn't turn up.  Also someone wanted to see it, but gave wrong phone number...... c'est la vie.

Weather has been absolutely awful.  Huge amount of rain, but in addition it has also been cold even freezing sometimes.

Birthday month is now over, but it was pretty good.  Everyone should celebrate the month, not the day, makes it far more interesting.  I think I'd better call this month Valentine's day month... not sure I will get away with that.

Well that's it, I will work really hard at trying to do some decent paintings that I am not too ashamed to put on the blog.  Bertie is fine, although pretty fed up about the weather.  We had a long walk round Carisbrooke Castle on Wednesday and Fishbourne to the other side of Quarr Abbey and back, yesterday.   So today he's having a rest.  Good idea.

Gosh I really have been bad in keeping this up to date!  Back is still not sorted.  Appears either to be torn muscle of ligament/tendon.  Getting used to the pain - which fortunately has subsided quite a lot, but it is still there.  Enough of the moaning.  Well not really, weather has been absolutely awful.  Went over to mainland to have lunch with Daniel, Catherine and Alice - which was lovely, but weather was still awful!  Even the ferry crossing was rough..... Not managing to get any sailing in, but have managed to get in some painting.

my attempt at Highland cattle - think I might have another go later

wreck of a barn

Have joined a painting group at the Priory, Carisbrooke.  Only been a few times, lovely venue.  Hope to be a bit more proactive than I have been of late.

As I write this the rain is crashing down, don't even think we'll be able to manage a dog walk until much later on in the day.  Bertie is taking advantage of this bad weather by resting firmly on the sofa.  We have been asked by the Royal Victoria Yacht Club to give a talk on our attempt to sail round Britain.  Well that will give us something to do over the next few months!

Have been a little unwell for the last 6 weeks, due to bad back.  We had a few weeks in France, but during that time developed the problem.  It appears to be pulled muscle or torn muscle.  Hopefully, or finally, it is now beginning to gt a bit bette, and bearable.  When sorted will update the blog.

Been a very difficult couple of weeks.  Do we sell Bloto or not?  We've been emptying and sorting the boat and on Wednesday sailed her to Bursledon for lift out on Thursday.  Yesterday we went back to Bursledon to ani-foul her.  Lovely sunny day, but we still feel unsure about the decision.  I suppose we now sit back and see what happens.  We are away in France for three weeks, so we wouldn't be sailing anyway, but when we get back, if it's not sold, back in the water she will go. Bertie has had a nice new haircut, so is back to feeling cool and more like a puppy!

All nice and spruced up, but do we want to sell her?

Had a rather exciting trip to get to Beaulieu but it was worth it in the end.  Had a great time with Dick and Judith - goodness she is a good cook, and on the boat as well! Had a look at yet another boat while we were there and also went to Lymington with them and had a look at another boat.  Nice trip back home.  Following that, we booked up to see some more boats - Gosport, Hamble and Chichester.  Of those, the one in Chichester looks the most promising - a Westerly Ocean 33.  The rest of the time we have spent getting the Hanse ready for sale.  We will be taking it over to Decason's, Bursledon on Wednesday and it will stay there for a month.  If it doesn't sell, well so be it, we have some ideas in mind which will make it slightly more cruiser friendly. After getting it ready for sale, I must admit it does look rather nice!

However, in the meantime we have to go over to France to make sure all is well over there.  No much success in selling La Pelouiniere so far, but perhaps we will have to work on it.

Today is the Cowes to Torquay and back, powerboat race and it is incredibly hot for a change.  Loads of poeple who have rediscovered their boats after a lousy summer, are out in force at the moment. Bertie is not too happy about the heat, but on Thursday he is off to have his hair cut.

Fingers crossed for boat and house sale - you never know.  At the end of the day, only require one person.

Have had quite an interesting and exciting few days.   Searching for a different boat has been hard work!  We arranged to meet Daniel and his family up at Bursledon, but before arriving at the marina had a sail to Osborne Bay for lunch.  Unfortunately it was a bit roly and I felt sick, so we upped anchor and sailed off.  Gentle sail up to Bursledon, first time we have actually had a proper sail.  Moored up and then started the search for boats for sale.  Decided we quite like the Maxi 1000, but it may be because it's a more grown up version of the boat we already have.  On Monday went to see some more boats, and realised we had some preferences.....  Met Daniel and family and then had lunch at what was previously Moody's.  Followed by nice afternoon walk. 

Tuesday got ready for the sail back home.  It was hot and sunny with a gentle N/NW breeze.  There really are a lot of boats in the Hamble!  Nice sail across the Solent and ended up in Osborne Bay again, where we saw the Ice cream boat again

Ice cream boat making a delivery in Osborne Bay - notice the ice cream cone on the top!

Eventually tied up at mooring after another really lovely sail.  Cannot believe that we have only had a total of three good sails since April! Got home, searched on internet for more boats......  Now getting ready to go over to Beaulieu to see our chums Dick and Judith - she has promised me a bit of cake she has been saving.  Perhaps also to see some boats! Let's see.