Thursday, 30th August 2018 - Boys, Beer and Bunting

A great team prepared and decorated the barn for the Weald of Kent 30th Anniversary Party.

Boys, Beer and Bunting
Pen and Watercolour

Wednesday, 29th August 2018 - Fuchsia

I have been at home all day but been visited by Tescos, the postman, two parcel delivery men, two granddaughters, my grandson and daughter, one friend, my sister, the cat and our brown hen.

Fuchsia
Charcoal and Watercolour

Tuesday, 28th August 2018 - Brief Encounter

I have been bent over the worktop today making squidgy chocolate roulade.

Early evening I set out for a very short back stretching walk.

I settled in front of Great British Bake Off with salad. I have to get used to the contestants. I am already irritated by one.

Brief Encounter
Watercolour

Monday, 27th August 2018 - Musicians at The Onion Festival

Shortly after 8am I took Harriet to Benenden hospital. It was planned and minor. I took my computer and managed to succeed in the tasks that had failed and frustrated me over the past couple of days by logging onto their WiFi whilst sitting in their empty cafe drinking complementary coffee, hot chocolate and butterscotch biscuits.

It took 30 hours to finally emerge from bed. He had been enjoying the beer at a friend's wedding. It was good to see him ever so briefly. He did make a good banana and ginger loaf which is perfect with tea in the afternoon when the mind, soul and body are flagging.

It was The Onion Festival at The Lord Raglan. Jo and Elaine were exposed to the eccentricities of the many way to present an onion. They were so taken with they event they purchased a monster of an onion at the auction. This is going to be peeled, sliced and cooked. The Weald of Kent Morris gave a great performance.

Tom has gone.

Jo and Elaine have gone.

I am going to bed.

Musicians at The Onion Festival
Pen and Watercolour

Sunday, 26th August 2018 - Umbrellas at Scotney

Again I cannot upload my picture. It tell me an error has occurred. Yes, that is patently obvious. I have found a solution to my photo problem. I am at Benenden Hospital and all systems are working perfectly. The lengths I go to for my audience.

It was an early breakfast for all my guests as they had places to go. This suited me fine as I needed to make french sticks and lemon tarts for our invited visitors.

Jo and Elaine have travelled from London to spend a night with us. The lunch of lentil curry I had made on Friday was even better after steeping in the spices. I found array of chutneys from the cupboard to test and taste with the lentils. This raised the question of how they grow. Quite a high percentage in Canada. Two lentils per pod on a bush. That must take some picking and depodding.

The insistent rain changed our plans of wandering the gardens of Great Dixter to inspecting the inside of Scotney Castle. It was a damn good thing we are all National Trust members as the house was closed for the day. We did arrive rather late in the afternoon. We got to walk the old castle ruins. They are surprisingly interesting. I do like a moat.

This evening we turned dough into pizzas and were joined by John and Diane. Alexa turned the lights out at 11.30pm bringing the night to a not so subtle end.

Umbrellas at Scotney
Charcoal and Watercolour

Saturday, 25th August 2018 - Triple Teepee and Orange Moon

Most of our day was spent at a friend's daughters wedding. The bride was stunning, the guests looking gorgeous and the flowers beautiful. The Morris danced so the happy couples fertility has been enhanced.  We had a wonderful day. I do love a wedding.

As we left the moon was shining orange over the wedding party. A celestial celebration.

I cannot upload my picture. There is a technical gremlin playing silly buggers.

Triple Teepee and Orange Moon
Pen and Watercolour

Friday, 24th August 2018 - Gwen's Tomatoes

My roots need colouring. Or I could pretend it is meant to be Ombre.

I made a lentil curry as per Priya Tew's instructions. This was ok. Something went horribly wrong with the Naan bread. It tasted like cardboard with burnt bits and rubber in the middle. Anyone want to come over for dinner?

Gwen's Tomatoes
Watercolour

Thursday, 23rd August 2018 - Alan's Plums

We continue to enjoy the glut of produce from friends gardens.

Alan's Plums
Watercolour

Wednesday, 22nd August 2018 - Cobnuts

I have done little apart from sneeze, drink Lempsip and drag Henry around the house.

Cobnuts
Charcoal and Watercolour

Tuesday, 21st August 2018 - Twenty Acre Woods

I recycle Tim's old Levis into shorts for myself. It is a good thing my ample bottom fits them beautifully.

It was a charming afternoon for a walk with blackberries warm from the bushes.

Twenty Acre Woods
Watercolour

Monday, 20th August 2018 - Windfalls from Wendy

Today was a trial of recipes for party food. The soup and Moroccan Fish stew have been tried and approved. This is a better success than soup a couple of days ago which was tasty but solid enough to sink a ship.

Wendy gave us a bag of apples. She said they would all have something inside. I look forward to finding out what it is. My guess many legged.

Windfalls from Wendy
Watercolour

Sunday, 19th August 2018 - Tramping with Tony

After watching the gorgeous Lucifer what do I dream about? Cleaning the house of cobwebs!!! Come on?!? Where has my fantasy mode gone?

The slight drizzle did not dampen the bizarre delights of The Tractorfest in Biddenden. There were fleets of tractors and a few friends.

This afternoon we went to another bizarre event in Benenden Church. It was a thank you for the people who helped at the village fete with Pimms and egg sandwiches.

This evening we strolled the fields near Tenterden with Tony and Wendy. The newly opened Ancient Boro provided me with a Mediterranean pink tonic with strawberries.

Tramping with Tony
Watercolour

Saturday, 18th August 2018 - Campari Alternative

In the garden the guelder rose is fruiting. I am on the hunt for a recipe to make the berries into a Campari substitute. This is one drink that I do miss. Wine I am no longer bothered by. Gin has been replaced with Seedlip and to be honest I am more than happy with sparkling water. Or tea.

I have spent hours in the garden. Thompson and Morgan sent me 72 perennial microscopic plants and 36 pansies to pot up. Some of the plants were looking dead or well on their way to meeting their compost maker. Unusually for me I immediately took a photo and emailed T&M. Their response was swift and I am to get a refund. The story does not end there. At the potting bench under the plants was a note that some had been replaced due to poor quality (quality control could do with further improvement) and enclosed was a £10 voucher. I only paid £9.99 so I think I could be quids in. A further plus was labelling the plants I came across Kniphofia's. Not having a clue what they were a quick search revealed them to be Red Hot Pokers. I have longed for these in the garden. I am a happy woman.

Campari Alternative
Watercolour

Friday, 17th August 2018 - Three Legs Brewery

Hetty and I had a go at bubble therapy. It just made us cross. I think we had the wrong attitude. We were both in a bit of a po-faced mood.

We arranged to meet Mike and Pippa at The Old Dairy Brewery. They were no where to be seen. I had got arrangements muddled. We were meant to be at The Three Legs Brewery. Back in the MG and 20 minutes later we were reunited. What a great place. It only opens three evening a week. Probably gives it some extra appeal a long with the beer, lovely venue and very jolly bar staff.

I am now suffering internally from getting fish and chips on the way home and consuming far too much. Oh and I had cheese at the brewery. Only myself to blame damn it.

Three Legs Brewery
Pen and Watercolour

Thursday, 16th August 2018 - Old Park Wood

We have cobwebs on the wine rack. That would never have happened when I was drinking.

A bit of party planning went on today. The Weald of Kent Morris got together 30 years ago. That is worth celebrating. I love party. There are lists to be written.

I got a packet of dill from Waitrose on my way home from seeing Mum. She was delighted to see me. That made me feel guilty that I don't visit more often. All seems moving positively with her health. It was good to see her jolly. I had quite a struggle to extricate myself from her.

I loved Aretha Franklin. What a loss.

Have you heard of bubble therapy?

Old Park Wood
Pen and Watercolour

Wednesday, 15th August 2018 - Seals at Rye Harbour

My art group were painting en plein air today at Rye Harbour. I was delayed due to work commitments. It was a perfect day for painting when I arrived. Sadly a poorly attended event. Very few members were there. Not the place to go if you don't like painting boats. Another member went to the wrong harbour. Someone else decided there was nothing they wanted to paint and went home. I sat happily painting and retrieving my paper which kept getting caught by the wind and somersaulting into the mud. I had seals for company which was a rare treat. I had a good time and the bonus was I filled my petrol tank with cheap fuel from Jempsons.

It was the last Wednesday night Morris stand of the season. A very sad occasion. Which it wasn't due to the athletic dancing and joyous, if dark in places, singing.

Seals at Rye Harbour
Pen and Watercolour

Tuesday, 14th August 2018 - Seagulls at Normans Bay

Another pair of perfectly poached eggs for bnb breakfast.

A business meeting took Tim to Pevensey Bay. I went for the ride and the lunch with Ewan and Chris. We had a warm windy walk on the beach.

It has been a shopping extravaganza of a day. We started in Aldi where the nappies and organic baby food pouches were a bargain. Guess who was on my mind? At B&Q we piled the boot of the car with plants to fill the deserted patches in the garden. In B&M, I was a virgin to this shop, I found a non stick frying pan. In Marks and Spencer I was told the jeans I was looking for were an old style. I was wearing a pair. Lastly to get a French stick for dinner from Tescos.

I came home to the comfort of Lucifer.

Seagulls at Normans Bay
Watercolour

Monday, 13th August 2018 - Foraged Sorrel

My poached eggs looked good this morning.

Hetty and Bella were with us for a short while this morning. The are very busy. We read books, played with the dollshouse, fed the hens, collected eggs, collected slugs and snails, and made a blueberry cake with the help of Rufus the bear. I would get so much done if I could work at their speed.

Tim and I were better prepared on our walk this evening. We had bags in our pockets to collect blackberries and sorrel. We ate the blackberries before they made it into the bag. The sorrel was wilted (fried to buggery) over our prawn curry. Thank you Michael White, forager extraordinaire for your knowledge.

Foraged Sorrel
Pen and Watercolour

Sunday, 12th August 2018 - Jackdaws

A late night + a late morning = a short day.

Should I feel ashamed that I met the Tescos delivery man in my pj's and dressing gown. I am sure he has seen worse. I refused a battered basil plant. I was given it for free.

This afternoon I visited Mum. She was chatty so I stayed a while and had tea.

I called into to see my grandchildren. Herbie was green. Hetty was upside down. Bella was upstairs.

Jackdaws
Watercolour

Saturday, 11th August 2018 - John One Day Off Sixty

I am just back from a 60th birthday party held in the Old Fire Station in Tonbridge. It was a great venue and an entertaining evening. I didn't like Marco the Magician but could not be anything but bewildered by his magic tricks. They make me so cross. Frank the singer was surprisingly good for a man who couldn't open his mouth due to a wired and broken jaw.

A very quick sketch of John singing with Frank as it is late and I want to go to bed.

John One Day Off Sixty
Pen Sketch

Friday, 10th August 2018 - Hetty

Today has been delightful and uneventful. I have done nothing of interest to anyone but myself.

Answering the questions on yesterday's blog. The book is Eat That Frog, Get More Of The Important Things Done Today by Brian Tracy. I have been reading it for a while and it is meant to stop me procrastinating and sort out my disorganised life. Not happened yet. You can read more than 15 minutes a day I think that was a minimum suggestion and it doesn't have to be at night I don't think. The idea is that you do the thing you don't want to do first in the day then it is over and done with. There is also a lot about list making and planning. I find that the lists I write don't get completed. You add what you haven't done to the next days list. Mine just gets longer and longer.

This evening I have challenged myself with Hetty. The first has gone in the bin. The second I am disclosing.

Hetty
Charcoal

Thursday, 9th August 2018 - Copse and Clouds

When the rain stopped Tim and I walked across the fields. I really really really don't like the bullocks. They were waiting for their food which made them seem very interested in us. I could hear them following us. I was very pleased to reach the gate.

The Eat Your Frog books recommends reading for 15 minutes a night. I suggested this to Tim. He has downloaded some murder mystery books. On calculation it will take him twelve years to finish them.

Copse and Clouds
Watercolour
140lb CP

Wednesday, 8th August 2018 - Hibiscus

I have had a day maintaining house, garden and soul.

I have applied nice'n easy to Harriet. She should now be Ultra Light Cool Summer Blonde.

The hibiscus in our garden seems to thrive in conditions of searing heat and dehydration.

Hibiscus
Pen and Watercolour
140lb CP

Tuesday, 7th August 2018 - Sunflowers for Kath

Whilst I was ironing an immense number of shirts and blouses, even the ones with the holes in the armpits have been kept for gardening duties, Tim sorted out my guests mobile phone problems.

Sarah and I wandered the steamy streets of Cranbrook and refreshed ourselves with coffee and a shared bacon roll. Coop was beautiful in its coolness. I spent a long time studying the goods before heading back out into humid heat.

This evening we are off to see The Olivers' new home. We are back. We got a tour of the house, garden and coach house. In the garden we ate dinner under the umbrella which kept off the heat and then the rain. I am totally and utterly in love with their house. The black and white floor tiles in the hallway are just devine.

Sunflowers for Kath
Charcoal and Watercolour

Monday, 6th August 2018 - Precarious Perch

Hetty and I visited Mum. I was pleased to find her partially dressed. Hetty whirled from there to Tescos. She cheered me up no end.

A friend of mine was talking about reducing micro managing. I discussed this with Harriet. Today Bella has been unwell. She may have a temperature. We don't have a thermometer nor does Harriet. At 6.30pm I drove to Tescos and bought a thermometer, two types of Calpol and some Lucazade. I didn't realise what I had done until I was thanked for the gifts and a mention of micro managing. Whoops. I should take my own advice. But I did feel better and less worried for knowing that Bella can be monitored. Step back Grandma.

I collected the eggs as the sun was setting. One chicken was in the hen house and the youngters up the Mulberry Tree.

Precarious Perch
Watercolour
140lb Rough

Sunday, 5th August 2018 - Allium Fruit

My pot of alliums have gone from spheres of purple beauties into glorious skeletal spikes. I like both styles. I am hoping the tiny black seeds will spread and procreate.

It has been a day of gorgeousness in the shade of the trees and little movement. The only method of reducing the torture of cleaning bnb rooms in nearing thirty degree heat was to work very very slowly.

Eight days of festering in a preserving pan the vinegar and blackcurrants have been boiled with sugar and bottled. I am sure it will be delicious.

I am enjoying my pea flavoured Seedlip gin immensely now I have accustomed to the weird taste.

Allium Fruit
Watercolour

Saturday, 4th August 2018 - Huckleberries

I have cleared my greenhouse of dead plants. Growing behind them I found some very long leggy near leafless plants. They are huckleberries. I had a go at growing these many years ago. They have self seeded themselves and making a very sad if valiant effort to propagate. I think it was one of the odd plants that Sarah and I tried to grow.

Huckleberries
Watercolour
140lb CP

Friday, 3rd August 2018 - Orchids and Shadows

It is 9.55pm and 21ºC. I have sweat where I shouldn't have sweat at this time of day.

I enjoyed going to the park in Tenterden and meeting up with Pippa, Rebekah and Archie with Harriet and children. We found shade under a tree and got tattooed by Bella. I didn't enjoy the traffic queues. I liked the new ice-cream/coffee/cake parlour run by some Italians. Bella and Hetty had strawberry ice-cream and were gifted bubble gum ball sprinkles, marshmallow and a lolly by the guy with limited words. Harriet had coffee and a shot of Chapel Down gin. I had coffee. Damn these 500 calorie days.

I was feeling sociable and invited four of our nearest and dearest friends over for cold beer and nuts in the garden. They all declined. I spent the evening with Tim which was just fine. Really it was fine.

Orchids and Shadows
Watercolour
140lb CP

Thursday, 2nd August 2018 - Hornbeams

I really really wanted to paint a buzzard or two this evening. There were plenty circling above the garden 'peeee-uuuuing'. They eluded me and my camera.

Instead I had to suffer for my art. I have mosquito bites galore whilst searching our woods for an enticing subject. I just hope the pesky little devils stay amongst the trees.

Hornbeams
Watercolour
140lb CP

Wednesday, 1st August 2018 - Bonny Green Garters

How global we are at The Holt with French guests leaving and Australians arriving. My fridge contains four fifths of a Victoria sponge sandwiched with cream and homemade strawberry jam. Probably best to freeze a bit of it before it tempts me into gluttony.

Today was rounded up with an evening at The Halfway House watching the Weald of Kent Morris strut their stuff gloriously.

There is slightly less of Victoria now.

Bonny Green Garters
Watercolour
140lb Cass Art CP