Tuesday, 29th October 2019 - The Last Leaves

I was not so keen to venture out into the grey of today for a walk. I did and it was beautiful outside.

The Last Leaves
Watercolour

Monday, 28th October 2019 - Ink Studies

We took lunch down to Tim's Mum. Uncle Bill is feeling a bit under the weather, he is 86. Tim's Mum is looking after him, she is 90. Wow, I thought that is amazing.

On our way home we dropped by Rye Harbour and looked for seals who weren't there. A cup of tea would have been comforting but the cafe was shut. We came home and had tea.

I did my homework for my art class this evening. Our tutor has given us 'Autumn Tangle' as a three week project. I spent the evening messing around with different textures on paper and ink.

What do you see? I need feedback please.

Ink Studies
Ink and Watercolour

Sunday, 27th October 2019 - Country Lane

It is good to have an extra hour in one's day. Unless you have children that don't understand the concept of it being 5.30am and not 6.30am. I now three like that.

I haven't had much enthusiasm for gardening of late. The sun prodded me into doing a bit of weeding and pruning.

Seven Continents One Planet is excellent, emotional and funny. I have gone off seals. Not keen on jellyfish even when they get eaten by sea urchins. I adore penguin chicks.

Country Lane
Pen and Watercolour

Saturday, 26th October 2019 - Woodworking with Grandad

I would have liked to have visited Mum today. She would have been interested in how our dinner party went last night. She was a great listener and loved to hear stories about the people and food. Maybe I will tell her anyway.

Tony helped restore our kitchen by heaving the furniture back into place. Thank you.

Herbie popped round, saw the mess and got the hoover out. We were all feeling a bit tired and had restoring books and tea on the sofa.

Woodworking with Granded
Watercolour

Wednesday, 23rd October 2019 - Hold My Hand

The drizzly weather doesn't prevent my rooms being filled with bed and breakfast guests. They are most charming.

We caught a moment in the afternoon for a walk. Tim suggested we take the fields. I don't care how small the bullocks look and really wish Tim wouldn't talk to them. When they start to follow me I can move a little faster and have to hold Tim's hand.

Back home and with an evening by myself. I am watching The Apprentice. They are making electric bikes - good luck. Love it. Tim hates it.

Hold My Hand
Pen and Watercolour

Tuesday, 22nd October 2019 - Dog Walker

Tim and I had a gap in our day when we were both free to go for a walk. There was some sun to top up my vitamin D. I had to 'nearly' run home to catch my on-line painting tutorial with Ròisin. Still learning, always learning.

It got to 5.30pm and I hadn't seen my grandchildren. I popped round for a quick fix to find them in fine form after a day at The Rare Breeds Centre with Brett's dad. What a lucky bunch.

I am nervously watching The GBBO. I am beginning to like Rosie. They are making sugar glass cases - how exciting.

Dog Walker
Watercolour

Monday, 21st October 2019 - After The Sun

Apparently the water was not the right temperature for fishing fish so my fishermen have moved to more fishy waters.

The Sarah Raven Christmas catalogue has come through the letter box. It is full of beautiful things I  need so I am going to have to avoid temptation and put it in the recycling. Damn I really needed a Gold Leaved battery operated with timer garland.

I took myself for a walk just gone 5pm. It got dark much sooner than I anticipated but I managed to find my way home.

After The Sun
Watercolour

Sunday, 20th October 2019 - Moth

What a stunning beast on my salvia. I had to look it up on Google. It is a hummingbird moth. I am so pleased it was out and about today and I could admire its weird beauty.

My guests are here for the fishing. It is a first for me to have fishermen to stay. I will quizz them over their bacon and egg tomorrow as to where they go.

I thought I had the menu for Tim's birthday dinner sorted until he told me he would like a tart for pudding!!! I think I can arrange that one way or another.

Moth
Pen and Watercolour

Saturday, 19th October 2019 - Hemsted Forest

Is it disgusting to wake up and find it is 8.30am? I felt really guilty for sleeping so late. But it felt so good. The weather rewarded me with no rain and even a bit of sun. I tidied a flower bed and pulled brambles in the woods.

I am still working on my diary from Rome and spent a glorious hour or so working on it in the refuge of my studio.

At 2.30pm I took painkillers to dull the pain in my leg in anticipation of a walk with Tony and Wendy. A GP told me I have arthritis in my hip and continue taking painkillers, next step is a steroid injection and when it gets bad enough a hip replacement. I have had no investigation and am feeling rather depressed that there is no better way to manage this. It was a lovely walk and we finished with beer and cider in The Bull.

Hemsted Forest
Watercolour

Friday, 18th October 2019 - Where is Postman Pat? - THERE!!!

Hetty and Herbie came to play for a couple of hours today. They were adorable. They both have strong personalities that makes me proud. Herbie needed a rest from playing so we watched Postman Pat.

Where is Postman Pat? - THERE!!!
Pen and Watercolour

Saturday, 12th October 2019 - Autumn Pears

I can go and see Harriet in my dressing gown. I wont be able to do this when they move to Wickhambreaux. I will miss my morning visits.

We had lovely coffee and with delightful sweet pastries from the Italian deli chez Carters. They have been doing great inspirational work on their house. It is so much better than Grand Designs.

Autumn Pears
Pen and Watercolour

Friday, 11th October 2019 - Favourite Mug

Tim's brother, David and his wife (David's wife not Tim's), came for tea and no biscuits even after Herbie presenting them with the biscuit tin. At 4.30pm we had had enough tea so went to The Woodcock to sit on their high chairs and have beer and lager and lime.

Favourite Mug
Pen and Watercolour

Thursday, 10th October 2019 - Bedtime Stories

Two mugs of tea were consumed before walking into the village to watch Hetty's Roman themed school assembly. Well done Hetty you make a fine gladiator.

I have collected flyers advertising an art exhibition I am showing some work at The Powdermills in Battle mid November. I got confused between Water Lane and Stream Lane but managed to get a mug of tea in between my travels and stories from my sister.

Tim called on his way home. The streets of London are strangely quiet due to The Extinction Rebellion protests.

Bedtime Stories
Pen and Watercolour

Wednesday, 9th October 2019 - Here Is Autumn

I am feeling very relaxed after my holiday in Rome.

While away the house has had a deluge of daddy long legs - all the dead ones have gone up the hoover pipe.

It is good to be back home and have coffee and stories with Harriet and biscuits with Herbie.

Here Is Autumn
Watercolour

Sunday, 29th September 2019 - Gorgeous Trio

The Three French Hens were holding a Brocante in Tenterden this weekend. A very successful event. The poor weather didn't deter the buyers. I visited this afternoon and came home with three cream coloured pots which will be perfect for still life paintings. Well done.

I do miss my Mum. She had endless time for my stories and had some good advice - most of the time. Her love being unconditional was something I never really appreciated. You were a great comfort Mum.

Happy second anniversary to my husband. We opened a bottle of champagne that had been in the fridge was rather too long as it was corked. There was a bottle of Oxney rosé which was very delicious. My reaction to alcohol this evening was to make me very tired. We were in bed before ten. Well it was our anniversary.

Gorgeous Trio
Pen and Watercolour