Tuesday, 30th March 2021 - Great Grandma and Great Grandson

Tim and I took Herbie to see his great grandma. We are now allowed into gardens by the government. The weather was perfect for pizza in the outhouse. What a treasure of an afternoon. 

Great Grandma and Great Grandson

Pen and Watercolour

Monday, 29th March 2021 - Thumbnails and Studies

I have pulled a muscle doing either Russian twists or army planks. It is only minor so you don't need to worry.

We had our last pizza making session with Herbie as a neighbour. He has a very effective rolling pin technique. We played trains and doctors. Great fun. Thank you Herbie for being such great company.

Our tutor worked us hard this evening. We are doing still life integrating metal. Blimey my brain.

Thumbnails and Studies

Watercolour and Pencil

Saturday, 27th March 2021 - Fritillaria meleagris

The path to our woods is bringing with Snake's head fritillaria. They are stunning. 

Fritillaria meleagris

Watercolour

Thursday, 25th March 2021 - Blue Sky Over The Fisheries

We had an appointment in Rye. Pre Covid I would have spent a happy couple of hours wandering the streets and nipping into the shops along with a spot of lunch or a coffee in a cafe watching the world go by. But with the shops shut, the cafes only serving takeaway coffee in paper mugs and my favourite art gallery locked. It was a short trip. We popped into the fishmongers. The only thing they had was scallops. So that's what we got. They were glorious with salad and chips.

Blue Sky Over The Fisheries

Pen and Watercolour

Wednesday, 24th March 2021 - Forget-me-not

The longer, warmer days are encouraging fauna and flora to burst forth. The emergence of clusters of forget-me-nots is a delight.

Herbie came to play with his doting grandparents while Harriet packed. The Evans family are leaving us after six years. I am heavy of heart.

Forget-me-nots

Pen and Watercolour 

Tuesday, 23rd March 2021 - Potting Up

I spent the afternoon at my potting bench. Geraniums, petunia, pansies and polyanthus now have room the spread their roots.

I love Masterchef. I am inspired. Where do I get John Dory?

Potting Up

Pen and Watercolour

Monday, 22nd March 2021 - Colour Mixing Excercise

 I spent an afternoon tending a bonfire. I got too close to the heat. It made my mascara stick my eyelashes together.

This evening it was zooming with my art class. Caroline got us studying the colour in metal objects. I am mentally and physically worn to a frazzle.

Colour Mixing Exercise

Watercolour and Pencil

Sunday, 21st March 2021 - Welcome Fable

This morning my painting from Thursday was posted by The Walled Nursery. I am so delighted that they liked it.

Tom came to stay for the weekend. He came with Fable his eleven week old puppy who was introduced to many new experiences including children, chickens and the smells of the cat who disappeared as soon as she saw him. 

We did our first Puppy sitting this morning was a delight when the puppy is adorable and very well behaved. Tom was able to go biking. It feels good being able to help out. 

This evening we ate butternut squash curry while watching Spiral. We only have a few gripping episodes left. 

The house seems very empty without Tom and his puppy.

Welcome Fable

Pen and Watercolour

Thursday, 18th March 2021 - Nick and Ian

Harriet and I did a yoga session with Zoe. She helped us get our heart rate up and toned our core.

I spent a few hours on the computer sorting out the new pictures for the Weald of Kent Art Societies latest challenge. Some great entries from members.

I would not have gone for a walk in the rain if it had not been a prearranged date. I felt revived for being outside. We passed by The Walled Nursery. Nick and Ian are the new owners and were working. We got invited in to take a look around. It is amazing the work they have undertaken. They have exciting plans for the future. Good luck guys it is looking amazing. I look forward to drinking coffee and cake in May.

Nick and Ian

Pen and Watercolour

Wednesday, 17th March 2021 - Crows Nests

The road to Benenden has trees peppered with birds nests. They make a racket as you walk past them.

Crows Nests

Watercolour

Tuesday, 16th March 2021 - Benenden Skies at 6.20pm

This afternoon I immersed myself with art in my studio. 

Benenden Skies at 6.20pm

Watercolour

Monday, 15th March 2021 - Zoom Classwork

Sarah and I walked and talked through the streets of Cranbrook. We got coffee to take with us from Arthur's. For the umpteenth time I ordered Americano instead of flat white. When did coffee become so complicated?

Due to the ongoing Covid restrictions my art class was on-line. There were six of us this evening which made for some good ideas. We were working on opposites. 

Zoom Classwork 

Sunday, 14th March 2021 - Wood Anemone

Happy Mothers Day to the glorious mothers. 

I had a wander round the garden to pick flowers to brighten my home. The wood anemone is beginning to flower. I picked it.

The wind was in the correct direction for a session of burning. Tim cut. I burnt. Very satisfying. My back disagrees. 

Wood Anemone

Pen and Watercolor

Saturday, 13th March 2021 - Incinerating

My Mum and Dad had an incinerator in their garden. I have always desired one. Tim gave me one for my birthday last year and it has sat in the woods unused. Our burning tasks have always been to immense for it to be used. Until today. It was perfect to dispose of brambles. I listened to London Grammar to try and quieten the thoughts I have batting around my head.

Incinerating

Pen and Watercolour

Friday, 12th March 2021 - Muddy Puddles

After a violent hail storm the sun came out and we walked into the village to meet Hetty and Bella after school.  Herbie found that a puddle was much more entertaining than the swings and climbing frames. 

Muddy Puddles

Pen and Watercolour

Monday, 8th March 2021 - Three Backpacks

It was a joyful grandparent moment to watch Hetty and Bella skipping up the drive on their way to school this morning.

We have been waiting for the wind to be in the right direction so we don't smoke out our neighbours. Today it was perfect. After a damp stertorous start we spent a happy couple of hours feeding the fire. One down two to go.

Three Backpacks

Pen and Watercolour

Sunday, 7th March 2021 - Sunday Night, Curry Night

Harriet and I did a bit of planking and mountaining to set us up for the day.

I had a spell in the garden. It got too cold to continue with my potting up.

Fish curry and Spiral was a good end to the day.

Sunday Night, Curry Night

Indian Ink and Watercolour

Wednesday, 3rd March 2021 - Absent Blades

Sarah and I had chosen an afternoon when the weather looked fine. We met in Coop carpark. It was raining. Damn it. We walked through a very sad looking Cranbrook high street to get coffee to fuel our walk. Arthurs, which does the most delicious coffee, was shut. Thank goodness we had each others glorious company.  

Absent Blades

Watercolour

Tuesday, 2nd March 2021 - Lunch with Three Bears

Herbie came to play this morning. His curiosity and imagination are a joy. I am trying to capture and fully appreciate this time while I can.

I took my ill humour into the woods and pulled some brambles. Great therapy followed up with a couple of glasses of white wine and my good spirits were returned.

Lunch with Three Bears

Pen and Watercolour

Monday, 1st March 2021 - Primroses in a Hedge

I was expecting to have woken up spring like. Then I found out that the first day of Spring is not until 20th March so no wonder I was feeling less than buoyant.

Sandi Toksvig told me that research has shown that putting the subtitles on when children are watching television increases their reading ability. I wonder if the reverse happens. Maybe watching Spiral will make me fluent in French.

Primroses in a Hedge

Pen and Watercolour 

Sunday, 28th February 2021 - Eggs in a Blue Bowl

After a long interlude our hens have started laying again.

The poppies and love-in-a-mist are in the flower beds. French bean and Echinacea seeds have taken their place in the greenhouse.

Eggs in a Blue Bowl

Watercolour