Tuesday, 30th July 2019 - Engrossed

Hetty and Bella popped over today. Herbie is undertheweather. He seems to vomit a lot when he is unwell. Not even a Rich Tea biscuit could tempt him today.

At 6.15pm Tracy and Deborah took us to The Woodcock. It always seems decadent going out during the week. We were enticed to try whitebait and a baked camembert. Deborah knew the chef and looked a little surprised he was in the kitchen. Bit of a mystery as to why. I didn't ask as I was eating the food he had prepared.

Engrossed
Pen and Watercolour

Saturday, 27th July 2019 - Tom's Flowers

Ouch - my head is a bit sore. I need tea and paracetamol.

Tom has come home for the night. To bring gifts for the birthday celebratees. He also brought wine, cherries and flowers.

We had a quiet evening watching a film and eating leftovers.

Tom's Flowers
Watercolour
Khadi Paper

Friday, 26th July 2019 - Farm Shop

We have discovered a wonderful farm shop in Iden Green. It is basic, very basic and you won't get avocados or bananas. It is all grown there. We bought potatoes for our dinner party guests.

It was a gamble to eat outside this evening. I was confident it wasn't going to rain. We were so lucky it didn't. Ten of us ate al fresco. Tim made mozzarella whilst looking after Hetty and Bella. I made bread, salmon en croute and shortcake biscuits. I love my friends. They know my drunken ways.

Farm Shop
Pen and Watercolour

Thursday, 25th July 2019 - Butterflies on my Buddleia

I have forced myself to clean bathrooms and make beds at a very slow pace. I am very thankful my commute to work is only a few stairs and not a heat induced disrupted train.

I sat on a garden chair with my feet in the paddling pool. Herbie has his paddling pool inside in the kitchen.

Boris is making a splash!!!

I am going to bed in anticipation of a thunderstorm.

Butterflies on my Buddleia
Watercolour

Wednesday, 24th July 2019 - 29°C

It has been far too hot to be wearing a bee suit. I had to have a bath for refreshment.

Happy 40th birthday to my lovely son-in-law Brett. You have more to come I feel - birthdays and celebrations.

I have found how to split my screen so i can watch Beecham House at the same time os typing. Marvellous.

29°C
Watercolour

Tuesday, 23rd July 2019 - View From Under A Tree

A Weald of Kent Art Society provided a very jolly time in Headcorn starting with coffee and cheese scones in the Church. We all found the shade of a wall or tree to paint.

I came home to find Sarah Raven had delivered some plants. A strange one with a pink pineapple shaped flower and some lovely short verbena. I waited until the days temperature fell before planting them. I have high expectations.

View From Under A Tree
Watercolour

Monday, 22nd July 2019 - Purple loosestrife

Tim spent the day in Fairlight so I had the house to myself.

I have a test for the slugs. Rumour has it that porridge will prevent them from eating my dahlias. I have sprinkled a circle and wait in anticipation.

Purple loosestrife
Watercolour

Sunday, 21st July 2019 - Orange Rose

Weeding the garden has exposed some pretty roses.

Orange Rose
Watercolour
Primed Mountboard

Saturday, 20th July 2019 - Wild Mallow

It was a short night of sleep interrupted by sciatic pain that a couple of paracetamol dealt with.

I unearthed my bike from under the gardening tools and took a cautious ride into the village to get sausages and eggs. The fitted perfectly in the basket on the handlebars. It was a bit of a wobbly ride.

I am reading an odd book by Jenny Eclair called Moving. I had a bit of a rest this afternoon with it.

My rooms are full of guests who are eating my almond cake and chocolate brownie saving me from an excess of calories.

Wild Mallow
Pen and Watercolour

Friday, 19th July 2019 - Seeds

I had a day alone so made cake for incoming guests and set about removing spiders from my nooks and crannies whilst they were baking.

We had an evening out having been invited to Ray and Linda's for dinner. I love their house. I love Linda's cooking. I love Ray and Linda. It has been ages since we last saw them. They were both yawning by the time we left so either we were very boring or they were tired. The latter I hope.

Seeds
Pen and Watercolour

Thursday, 18th July 2019 - The Walled Nursery

The coffee at The Walled Nursery is delicious even in the rain.

This afternoon I had Herbie for a couple of hours. We danced - he rests his head on your shoulder while grooving, read books - there are some very noisy animals in our board books, played cars - so many crashes, did puzzels, did a bit of drawing, ate peanut butter on toast, fed the chickens and played on the swingseat. The best bit was a painting. "Wow", he exclaimed as the paint ran into the water puddles. Yep ...... all in a couple of hours. Busy little chap. Just adorable.

The Walled Nursery
Pen and Watercolour

Wednesday, 17th July 2019 - Providence Trees

I spent the afternoon sat on LeeLee's verandah accompanied by tea and butterscotch cake. What a wonderful way to hold an Art Society meeting. We now have the winter/spring programme sorted and have some great demonstrations and workshops booked.

This evening I surrounded by Morris bells and ribbons at the Halfway House. I needed a couple of glasses of rose.

Providence Trees
Watercolour

Tuesday, 16th July 2019 - Penguins in HIgh Viz

Harriet walks the girls to school. Hetty and Bella make it more interesting by walking backwards.

Penguins in High Viz
Pen and Watercolour

Monday, 15th July 2019 - Beside the Sea

We spend the day in Fairlight.

Beside the Sea
Watercolour

Friday, 12th July 2019 - Bramble Flowers For The Soul

We celebrated Kell's life today. What a wonderful day it was.

Bramble Flowers For The Soul
Pen and Watercolour
Khadi paper

Thursday, 11th July 2019 - To Be Jam

I eventually managed to pin Sarah down for a coffee that ended up as tea in Cocolicious. Our venue is changing hands next month. I just hope the bacon roll with chilli jam will be the same.

Apricots are half price in Tescos.

To Be Jam
Watercolour

Wednesday, 10th July 2019 - A Side of Morris

It was Benenden Primary School sports day. I walked up to the field to watch. Sack races, netball, dribbling a football amongst many games. I like the flat races best. Hetty came second overtaking fantastically. Bella came first. Great job girls. It is interesting how that competitive spirit can come to the fore.

This evening the Weald of Kent were joined by Ravensbourne at The chequers in Laddingford. Not my favourite stand but the company was marvelous and made up for any indiscretions.

A Side of Morris
Pen

Tuesday, 9th July 2019 - End of Term Play

We managed to catch Mike and Pippa in between French trips - theirs not ours - for a coffee in their garden. It is good to talk.

This evening Hetty was in her school play. Her year play a minor part and she performed being the yellow part of a rainbow beautifully. We are privileged to be able to watch these moments.

End of Term Play
Pen and Watercolour

Monday, 8th July 2019 - No Longer Blue

I was tidying up our cluttered window sills. They become a dumping ground for those odd bits of paper that have no home. I found a Christmas card from Mum...I miss her so very much.

I found these papery bluebell seed heads amongst the rose garden I was weeding.

No Longer Blue
Pen and Watercolour

Sunday, 7th July 2019 - Opposite Aldi

The garden has been strimmed and the chickens can now have space to wander and can see out of their fence.

We visited Tim's Mum who was obliging in her admiration of the many photos we took to show her. She was not surprised Tim and I have put ourselves on a diet after seeing how many meals we ate in Chantilly. A diversion via Aldi was brief as it was teeming.

We were entertained by the grandchildren. Hetty hid in the branches of the Juneberry tree. Bella was doing a bit of calculating with a digital Vernier caliper, Herbie filled my watering cans whilst the automatic lawnmower trundled around under the paddling pool.

I have found Beecham House to amuse me whilst ironing bedding. Mr Beecham is charming.

Opposite Aldi
Pen and Watercolour

Saturday, 6th July 2019 - June's Cherries

I don't mind the warm weather but I don't like the humidity. I wish I could glow but it definitely a full blown sweat I have going on.

I have a plan to drop single night bed and breakfast guests and replace the time with producing paintings to sell and replace my income shortfall. An exciting idea.

June and Barry popped over for some nibbles in the garden.

June's Cherries
Watercolour

Thursday, 4th July 2019 - Borage for Courage

This is the people out there who are having a tough time.

Borage for Courage
Watercolour
Khadi Paper

Wednesday, 3rd July 2019 - A Card for Alan

Happy birthday to dear dearAlan. The Morris celebrated in a rather fatigued style at The Bull in Benenden. All that dancing at Chantilly seems to have taken its toll.

A Card for Alan
Pen and Watercolour

Tuesday, 2nd July 2019 - Wild Strawberries

Three nights away on holiday is not nearly enough. There seems to be far too much chaos for such a short break. The reward was seeing Harriet, Hetty who picked my mint for dinner), Bella who the squirrels, and Herbie who helped grandad change the batteries in his aeroplane. Now it has flashing lights.

Back to work today. Two rooms, four guests. I didn't feel ready until Tescos had delivered some mushrooms.

Something chronic has happened in the garden. I am starting near the house and working out.

Wild Strawberries
Pen and Watercolour