Friday, 29th May 2020 - Walnut Duet

On a positive note I know our electric fence around our hens works. On the negative side if you forget to turn it on at night you might find a headless chicken in the morning. Not a good start to the day.

I sat in the garden this afternoon watching the tits feeding from feeders hung from a wire across the garden. At long last I think we may have defeated the squirrels.

The walnut tree in our garden has suffered many a trauma in the past. Twice mown down by an enthusiastic son. We forgive you Tom. This year it look like it may produce fruit.

Walnut Duet
Watercolour

Thursday, 28th May 2020 - Geum Stage II

We have a well worn path through the hedge in our garden. I put out our wildlife camera. There is a badger and fox trampling the grass. How exciting.

I popped into my studio and excited about three hours later. There must be a time vortex in there.

My body control pills are not working yet.

Geum Stage II
Collagraph

Wednesday, 27th May 2020 - Broad Bodied Chaser

Hetty and I sat by the pond and watched the dragonflies.

Broad Bodied Chaser
Pen and Watercolour

Tuesday, 26th May 2020 - Geum Stage I

This morning I found a shady patch in the garden to pot up some plants.

This afternoon I could move into my studio once the sun had stopped making it a hothouse. I had an excellent time inking up collagraph plates. I learnt that heat and not enough extender makes ones ink dark and menacing.

Black Cohash is going to help me get rid of my hot flushes, night sweats and mood swings. I hope it bloody well works.

Geum Stage I
Collagraph

Monday, 25th May 2020 - Magnum Break

While the sun shone Tim made us pizza to eat in the garden. Hetty, Bella and Herbie artistically topped their own.

Bella and Hetty have got new second hand bikes. From a wobbly start they can now cycle round the garden over all the divots and bumps. Well done girls. It looks exhausting.

Tim and I are feeling tired this evening. We are watching a sci-fi film we have seen before. Neither of us can remember what happened. It is good to not tax the brain cells too much.

Magnum Break
Pen and Watercolour

Sunday, 24th May 2020 - Happy Birthday June

Thursday, 21st May 2020 - Robot Inspection

I held off watering my lettuces this morning due to the rain forecast. It never arrived. So I had to get out my hose.

Tim and I left the house today. We walked into the village to post a letter. I was pleased to get home and dunk my feet in the paddling pool.

My lupins are looking the best they have ever been. They get a regular squirt with soapy water to repel the massive and masses of greenfly. They remind me of my grandad who always had a fine display.

Robot Inspection
Pen and Watercolour

Wednesday, 20th May 2020 - Ready for Hollandaise

For all those menopausal women out there I am with. Overheating is no fun. It doesn't just creep up on you. It can be anytime. During the day or night, when having a pee. It is like an override switch has been turned on. Suddenly. A whole body overheat. Whoa. Feet. Body. Head. Face. Fingers. So weird. Then it is gone. What is that all about? What is the point? Totally bloody irritating. And you wonder why I am tetchy?

At 1pm BST (Sarah) I listened to Tom, my son, doing his first Webinar. I logged in. I had no clue as to what he was talking, about apart from it being Blockchain and Bitcoin related. It didn't stop me being utterly proud. Well done Tom you sounded amazing.

Ready for Hollandaise
Pen and Watercolour

Tuesday, 19th May 2020 - Flowers or Weeds?

Another day romping around the garden. The temperature is ramping up. The paddling pool has been redeployed.

I need to get my arse into gear. The ideas I have for works of my head need to be implemented before I get blocked.

Flowers or Weeds?
Watercolour

Monday, 18th May 2020 - Pink Trees

Tim asked me this evening what I had planned for tomorrow. I said to do the things I was going to do today. Apparently that is what I said yesterday. It sounds a good plan to me.

Pink Trees
Watercolour

Sunday, 17th May 2020 - Meadow Buttercups

I did a HIIT yoga session this morning. Interesting concept. Very sweaty.

Our chick is growing feathers in place of fluff. It will be grown up in the blink of an eye.

A walk across the fields proved abundant in wild flowers. We are keeping an eye on the elderflower ready for a cordial session.

Meadow Buttercups
Watercolour

Thursday, 14th May 2020 - New Addition

Herbie and I made chocolate chip biscuits. They contained seven Yorkie bars. Herbie was more interested in how the Kenwood mixer worked than cooking. We now have a box of waist extending biscuits.

We Zoomed twice this afternoon. Such a great way to keep in touch with family and friends.

Our broody hens dedication has paid off. She has hatched a very adorable chick.

New Addition
Pen and Watercolour

Wednesday, 13th May 2020 - Into The Woods

It is hard to know what day of the week it is. Three times a week we have a milk delivery. On these days I know that it is either Monday, it could be Wednesday and sometimes it is Friday. I find this helps to narrow down my choices.

This afternoon we took a walk to Hemsted Forest. I collected greenery to press. I hope they will make delightful collagraphs.

We had our first plate of salad leaves from the greenhouse. They were soft, tiny and good topped with tomato, carrot and cucumber.

Into The Woods
Charcoal and Watercolour

Tuesday, 12th May 2020 - Herbie and Hen

Herbie has spent months running after our chickens. Today he got to hold one of our huge white hens. He was absolutely delighted. Our broody hen has been sitting for 21 days. Her eggs should be hatching. I hope they are not going to fail her.

We are watching Afterlife. I wasn't sure as I thought Ricky Gervais as a twat. I am pleasantly surprised. It is touching and funny.

I am Staying Alert!!!

Herbie and Hen
Pen and Watercolour

Monday, 11th May 2020 - Chocolate Chip Biscuits

Bella is having Zoom piano lessons. I hold the computer and feel nervous for her. I am learning how I should be teaching her.

Herbie and I washed a train track in the bath. It had been in the loft gathering fluff. We will be building bridges tomorrow.

The day continued into another Zoom with my art class. I haven't done my homework...yet.

My day is finishing with us watching Grayson Perry's Art Club. I am inspired.

Chocolate Chip Biscuits
Pen and Watercolour

Thursday, 7th May 2020 - Keeping Busy

My day started with a weighted HIIT session. Blimey I needed a shower after that. And coffee.

Herbie came over to entertain his grandparents this morning. Most of the time was spent in the garden with water. Watering cans, a paddling pool, boats, pots, hoses and a dinosaur were all utilised.

Some things in lockdown are as good if not better. We are watching Have I Got News For You. I am loving Paul Merton's curtains.

Keeping Busy
Pen and Watercolour

Wednesday, 6th May 2020 - Paul's Sourdough Loaf

Yesterday I prepared my sourdough dough. A good old knead in the Kenwood followed by a five hour prove, quick knock down then an overnight 12 hour tucked into tins. I came down this morning and found there it was overflowing. Mr Hollywood assured me this was ok just a manipulate back into the tins and bake five hours later. Excellent results.

Paul's Sourdough Loaf
Pen and Watercolour

Tuesday, 5th May 2020 - Favourite Programme and Snacks

The great thing about being a Grandma is that you can stick the grandchildren in front of the TV with snacks and not feel guilty.

Favourite Programme and Snacks
Pen and Watercolour

Monday, 4th May 2020 - Batman

I have had a niggling headache. Grandchildren are a great distraction. Herbie comes for an hour or so in the mornings to give Harriet time to help the girls with their schoolwork without a toddler at her feet. Herbie and I ate micro lettuce from the greenhouse, he watered the paving stones followed by making playdoh snakes. He is a great excuse just to learn how to play again.

This evening I had an art zoom meeting. I am ashamed to say I was the only one not to have completed any of our set tasks. It was great to see everyone. I miss my art class buddies.

Batman
Pen and Watercolour

Sunday, 3rd May 2020 - Shopping Delivery

After doing a very unsuccessful Youtube yoga session - I couldn't and wouldn't bend like that. All I could do was sit and watch a very flexible Adrienne bend like a rubber band - I plugged my earbuds in and worked in the garden.

Morrisons delivered many many bags of groceries to fill my fridge and cupboards. I wish I had remembered to order some carrots.

Shopping Delivery
Pen and Watercolour

Thursday, 30th April 2020 - Identity Parade

While I was queuing in the queue outside Tescos the church bells were ringing and I could hear people clapping for the NHS. There was a rainbow in the sky. Spiritual huh!

I now have provisions for a full English Mayday breakfast and milk for my tea.

Identity Parade
Watercolour

Friday, 1st May 2020 - A Morris Man, A Deer, A Unicorn and some Parrots

At 4.30 am I entered the bathroom to find Tim in his boxer shorts, knee length white socks and a green neckerchief. See below for explanation.

It has been a very strange Mayday. Not the usual gathering of Morris outside the church in Goudhurst which would have been followed by a tour of dancing at schools and pubs. Not this year. At 5.30am the Weald of Kent zoomed with Morris, friends and family the glorious beginnings of summer with song and dance in gardens and living rooms across England and France. It was surprisingly successful and followed by a full English breakfast at our kitchen table with Hetty, Bella and Harriet who were brave enough to join us at such an unsociable hour. I cannot believe that some people only had porridge.

A Morris Man, A Deer, A Unicorn and some Parrots
Pen and Watercolour