I took advantage of a brief interlude in the rain to cut some daffodils, selecting ones that hadn't been ravaged into frilliness by slugs and snails, for a last minute guest's bedroom.
Painting and Drawing Diary
Thursday 28 March 2024
Wednesday 27 March 2024
Wednesday, 27th March 2024 - Bottle Ducks
Tuesday 26 March 2024
Tuesday, 26th March 2024 - Heart and Home in Lewes
Tescos delivered Easter eggs for the weekend treasure hunt with the grandchildren. I just hope it doesn't rain on Sunday. Pippa whisked Linda and I up to Lewes for an adventure. We met June in Cafe du Jardin for, yes coffee, and cake. June took us to her new space in the Lewes Antiques Centre where she sells her vintage homewares. What an amazing place for a rummage. June's room is beautifully curated but I would expect nothing less from her. Well worth a visit.
I am just back from The Halfway House after book group. The lasagne was just what I fancied. We couldn't full discuss our last book The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods due to lambing curtailing reading time. It wasn't on the top of our list for a book to read.
I did get some inspiration today about what pictures I will do for an exhibition I am in later this year.
Monday 25 March 2024
Monday, 25th March 2024 - Shelf Building
This afternoon The Viridians met at Wendy's. Clive and I sat at the kitchen table. Leelee and wendy set up their easels. Oils, watercolour pencils, Indian ink and lino cuts were produced over a few hours. I love my afternoons with my art friends.
At the weekend Tom's friends Steve and Andy helped build some shelves. They are now holding Tom's cycling 'stuff'. It good to have good friends.
Sunday 24 March 2024
Sunday, 24th March 2024 - Dinner on a Box
We are home from our weekend in Northampton. It's a long motorway drive and the Dartford Crossing was crawling slower than snails pace. The hedges on the country lanes were full of clouds of blackthorn blossom - so pretty. It has been a wonderful few days. We met some of Tom's friends. It's good to put a name to a face. Tom made us all spaghetti with beany bolognese and a less spicy tuna version for three year old Robin. Tom's table is still under dust sheets. Robin was very happy to have a box for a table. I felt suddenly emotional and sad as we left - it was quite painful.
Saturday 23 March 2024
Saturday, 23rd March 2024 - Happy 80th Birthday Terry
It's been a good day in Northampton. Tim has done loads of DIY, clearing, shelf building, wiring and painting. I have done some interspersed with walking with Tom, Fable and shopping in an International supermarket that was crammed with fruit and vegetables I have never seen before. Tom and I bought garlic and mushrooms. I hope to return tomorrow for a deeper explore and take Google translate with me for the ingredients lists.
As I type I am drinking tea with Tom and his mate Steve mulling over the pro and cons of social media. After a couple of glasses of wine it makes for interesting discussions. Earlier shelves were built that fit into an alcove to be filled with, no not books, bike 'stuff'. Fair enough it's not my home. Tom cooked a very delicious beany bolognese that fed
Tom's good friend was 80 today. We met him in the park this afternoon with Charlie and Jack. Happy 80th birthday Terry.
Friday 22 March 2024
Friday, 22nd March 2024 - Nine Chimneys Lane
We have spent a good many hours on the road today. First
a stop in Balsham near Cambridge to collect a couple of radiators from ex student and colleague of Tim's. We had lunch in a very pretty pub called the Black Bull. The butchers is now a bakery and sells lovely cakes. We got a variety of four and headed into the county of Bedfordshire to see Dave and Josie who added tea and coffee to the cake. Back in the car to Northamptonshire.
After an excellent take away curry I am sitting typing at a fold out table in Tom's house in Northampton. Tim and I are spending a weekend doing DIY a bit of decorating and gardening.