Tuesday, 30th June 2020 - 'Here We Go Round The Mulberry Bush'

I have a new yoga mat. I am sure it helped me balance during Adriene's Deepen and Flow session this morning. I was a fierce Warrior III to the best of my abilities.

We have a mulberry tree growing in the chicken pen. The fruit drop to the ground giving the chickens delightful treats.

'Here We Go Round The Mulberry Bush'
Pen and Watercolour

Monday, 29th June 2020 - Ithuriel's Spear and Pinks

Blimey it has been windy.

I collected old newspapers from my old friend Sarah today. I have not seen her for months. We sat in the wind. It was good to find that she looked the same as she did back in March. I do miss our bacon sandwich and coffee rendezvous. One day. Thank you for the flower identifying app. I used it to find out what these purple flowers were. Great fun.

Ithuriel's Spear and Pinks
Watercolour

Friday, 26th June 2020 - Chris and Tim

Wow that was a ferocious thunder storm. It briefly took out our power. When back on I could hear George Michael singing off in my studio.  I love you George but not at 5am.

After trying and failing to be a yoga lizard I spent the rest of the morning building train tracks on the kitchen floor with Herbie.

Tim and I spent the afternoon with Ewen and Chris Norman's bay. It was glorious to spent time chatting with friends face to face. We wandered along a near deserted beach.

Back home we are catching up with Spooks.

Chris and Tim
Pen and Watercolour

Thursday, 25th June 2020 - Piano Tutor

The weather has been mighty hot. I am not terribly keen on the heat. It doesn't help when my body decides to flush out its oestrogen turning me into hot steamy grump.

Piano Tutor
Pen and Watercolour

Wednesday, 24th June 2020 - Pods of Peas

The wasp exterminator came today. We knew we had two nests. He left having rid us of seven.

I reaped a harvest of our first peas from the garden. It was like one of those taster menus as we only got a few each.

I was listening intently to the news and taking in all the new changes. Then they told me they were talking about Scotland. Rewind.

Pods of Peas

Pen and Watercolour

Friday, 19th June 2020 - Working

It is not often we have all three grandchildren at the same time. We had them for a few precious hours this morning. They worked very hard at playing - it is serious stuff

Working
Pen and Watercolour

Thursday, 18th June 2020 - Field of Calves

And it rained. I am delighted.

During Herbie's time with us this morning was confused by his babbling. It was later clarified that this is due to Harriet reading him In the Night Garden Books. He loves them but they talk a lot of rubbish.

Hetty and her bear accompanied Tim and I on an afternoon walk across the fields. Tonights picture is from a photo she took.

Field of Calves
Pen and Watercolour

Wednesday, 17th June 2020 - Afternoon Sun

I have been waiting all day for a thunder storm. It is now 9.55am and not a drop of rain has fallen in Benenden. How disappointing my beans and peas will have to watered manually again.

Herbie, Tim and I raked and wheelbarrowed the fallen leaves from under the every spreading eucalyptus tree onto the bonfire.

There has been a grass snake swimming in our pond. I haven't seen it. We have set up the wild life camera for evidence.

Tim and I went for a wander into the village to post a couple of cards. We met a friend who came back for a social distanced beer in the garden. I have missed meeting people in person.

Afternoon Sun
Watercolour

Wednesday, 10th June 2020 - Vases with Sprigs

After a painful back giving me a sleep deprived night my face needed the benefit of a face lift. I pulled my hair into a tight high ponytail. That's better.

I got a gift through the letterbox. Thank you Sarah for my yoga socks. I didn't even know such a thing existed. I have tried them out and I am sure they will improve my downward dog.

Vases with Sprigs
Collagraph

Tuesday, 9th June 2020 - Peonies in a Vase

There was a lot of forward folding in my 42 minute Yoga for Strength this morning. I think I can do a fine half shut penknife. I am still no closer to becoming a crow.

Tim and I spent a busy time with Herbie and Hetty this morning. We played with Playmobile, bikes, wheelbarrows and read books with grandad on the swing seat. Harriet spent a well earned couple of hours in the woods with Bella doing a bit of social distancing with a friend.

It is the third recipe we have had in a row from River Cottage Veg. It would have been a very healthy option if I hadn't eaten so much.

Peonies in a Vase
Pen and Watercolour

Monday, 8th June 2020 - Feeding the Birds

I managed to squeeze in a Yoga session with Adriene this morning. With a title of Balancing Ocean Flow I was expecting something gentle. Ha ha..... there was lots of flowing up and down, vertical and horizontal. I was beginning to feel a bit sea sick. What is that stork pose? I don't think so.

I tried painting peonies that I rescued from the wind and rain. It started ok but got progressively worse. It has become a bit of recycling. How damn annoyingly frustrating.

I am really looking forward to going to bed tonight. I am reading Wakenhurst and it has got to a thrilling bit. Is 9.05pm too early?

Feeding the Birds
Pen and Watercolour

Sunday, 7th June 2020 - A Pound of Pianists

The yoga I did this morning was for Courage. I am unable to bend in all the directions Adriene asks me to (expletives added) but I could do the breathing like a lion. I think I may have done it too much as my ribcage feels tender this evening.

This afternoon we held a concert. We were treated to piano recitals from Herbie, Bella and Hetty. After we celebrated with sandwiches and Tim's elderflower cordial. A lovely way to spend an hour or so on a Sunday afternoon.

A Proud of Pianists
Pen and Watercolour

Wednesday, 3rd June 2020 - Field Daisy

Chris Fawkes told be to expect rain today. It has been a disappointing day. I was expecting a rainy downpour to enliven my garden. It didn't happen. Chris you are a big disappointment to me.

The box hedge chicken sculptures will have to wait another day. I ended up making a vegetable biryani which is a favorite of my husbands. Huge FW has a wonderful recipe which did taste excellent but it took hours to make.

The land around the church at the front of our house is a beautiful plethora of ox eye daisies.

Field Daisy
Watercolour

Tuesday, 2nd June 2020 - Scented Sweetpeas

I have a great routine that I am loving but know it will be broken when I start taking guests again. Bugger. Up at 7am and armed with a mug a tea a check on the hens. Tim beat me to it today. By 8am I am my t-shirt and leggings ready for swearing at yoga on YouTube. At 9am I am in the shower shaving my armpits. Around 10.30am Herbie comes to entertain his Grandparents for an hour or so. The rest of the day is unplanned. 

I had my first social distanced visitor. It was so lovely to see Kath. I really needed to see a different face with stories to tell.

I continue to prune my box hedge in the evening as I sweat too much during the daytime.

Scented Sweetpeas
Watercolour