Saturday, 31st May 2025 - Greedy Crow

My sister kept me entertained while I was cooking guests breakfasts. I was fortified with many mugs of tea and coffee before tackling cleaning rooms and showers. A phone call from Tom with his stories made a good break in tasks. He is hoping to move to St Leonards in the not too distance future. It will be good to have him closer to us.

This afternoon I have been pottering. Wendy uses a watering device for her tomatoes. We have been digging a space in the greenhouse for a similar system. I now have space for six tomato plants. But here’s the dilemma: I have four varieties to choose from — so which two deserve a double spot? As usual, I’ve grown far too many plants. I’ll hang on to a few spares in case of disaster, and the rest can go to friends. I love the smell of the greenhouse.

Dinner tonight was one of my comfort favourites: lentils and smoked haddock — hearty and full of flavour. Afterwards, we took the MG for a spin to The Milkhouse to drop off some Morris dancing posters. I treated myself to a glass of spicy tomato juice. There's a bottled one called Big Tom. It has evil additives but I like it very much.

I tried to photograph one of the many crows in the garden by putting out some old bread. It came and took both pieces in one fell swoop. Today's painting is from a rather blurry photo.

Greedy Crow
Watercolour

Friday, 30th May 2025 - Lone Blue Water Iris

It was nearly midday by the time I had served four delightful breakfasts, cleared the table detritus, stacked my faithful dishwasher, cleaned bathrooms and tidied rooms. The tasks were made charming by the company of my daughter via a video call. 

This afternoon it was a stewarding session in Tenterden. A busy afternoon of visitors but no purchases. BUT my oil paintings of Hetty and Betty have sold. Even better to someone who is unknown to me. No sympathy purchase this time.

I dropped by the shops on the way home for breakfast provisions. My Dutch guests have hearty appetites. I was tempted by the floriferous bougainvillea but the label said it had a tender nature. That wasn't going to have any chance of survival in my garden.  

This evening Tim and I ate beany vegetabley soup with homemade bread. Much nicer than the mussel concoction I made last night.

Oh by the way, the Dads Army Radio Show was amazing. Just two actors but the voices and mannerisms were so clever. I highly recommend you going to see it. 

The water irises in our pond are beautiful. They all white apart from one. Hence today's painting.

Lone Blue Water Iris
Pen and Watercolour

Thursday, 29th May 2025 - Foxgloves

We’ve welcomed four Dutch guests to The Holt for a few days. They missed their crossing and didn’t arrive until after we’d gone to bed, which made for a rather broken night—I kept wondering if they’d find us and couldn’t settle even once they did. Thankfully, they arrived safe and sound. They are very tall and very charming

Today we had a visit from Harriet, along with Hetty, Raffy, and Herbie. There was a lot of playing, eating, and then more playing. I’d optimistically bought strawberry Jammie Dodgers (enticed by the packaging, I admit), but they weren’t quite the hit I’d hoped for. The toasted sandwiches were more popular. It was so lovely to see the girls again and enjoy some proper hugs. They’re beautiful children, and I’m so proud of them.

Right now, a pot of curried mussel soup is gently heating on the stove, ready for when Tim comes in from the garden. This evening, we’re heading out to see a Dad’s Army radio show over at Benenden Girls' School—a twenty-minute stroll across the fields from here. I’ve no idea what to expect, but I’ll report back tomorrow.

Meanwhile, the garden is humming with life. The foxgloves are vibrating with bumble bees. They were today’s painting subject.

Foxgloves
Pen and Watercolour

Wednesday, 28th May 2025 - Alli's Peonies

Alli and I met for a coffee at Teise and Coffee, lovely cafe in Lamberhurst. We haven't seen each other for ages. We needed another coffee as we had lots of stories to catch up. I have a lovely bunch of peonies that Alli picked from her garden. They smell good too. She is the best of friends.

This afternoon marigolds have been planted amongst our Russian kale and broad beans to stop them being eaten by bugs. One of my granddaughters has a nasty bug but I don't think the marigolds will heal her sore throat poor little mite.

I am off this evening to the Ewe and Lamb. One of my favourite pubs. I love Elsie the landlady. The Weald of Kent Morris will be there to entertain me. Looks like a lovely sunny evening to watch a few Morris Men caper about.

Alli's Peonies
Watercolour

Tuesday, 27th May 2025 - Betty in Oil

My eyebrows and face are looking charming after a tweek with tweezers this morning. Oh the delights of getting older and wayward hairs.

My list today included all the things I needed to take with me to my stewarding session this afternoon. The bag I took packed with tea and coffee was appreciated by Angela, Bernard and me. The weather was horrid. We had very few visitors. A couple of sales. I expect mine will sell later in the week! I had found a pile of printed greetings cards. It was a good chance to paint a few in the Woolpack Barn waiting for visitors.

A tuna steak, chips and salad was the comfort I needed this evening. We found a new detective series to watch on BBC called Death Valley with Timothy Spall. It's ok.

Here is the other chicken painting that I have in the exhibition. So sad she is no longer with us. She was a good model.

Betty in Oils

Monday, 26th May 2025 - The Stings

 My charming bed and breakfast guests left leaving me to clean, clear and tidy accompanied by a murder mystery audio book. The garden is being nourished with homemade compost and lots of wheelbarrow trips made by Tim.

This afternoon a drive to Tescos has supplied us with marigolds to keep the bugs off my runner beans. The Stings were playing at The Print House. We sat at a table that gave me the chance to add another drawing to my sketchbook.

Back home Steve and Ivy dropped by for a drink, pistachios and cornichons. 

I am watching a science fiction film which is a good way to end the day.

The Stings
Sketchbook

Sunday, 25th May 2025 - Field Daisies

It has been a busy few days. The Weald of Kent art society exhibition is now up and running in the Woolpack barn, Tenterden. Setting up was Friday. Saturday was the preview. I was in charge of drinks and nibbles. The wontons were very popular. Great evening. Great paintings. It is open until Sunday 1st June. I am stewarding Tuesday and Friday afternoon if you fancy popping along and having a chat. The oil paintings I did of the chickens are special now as a fox has taken them both.

The field surrounding the Catholic church in front of our house is covered with daisies. I picked a bunch and they are looking fabulous in my spotty vase on the kitchen table. They were a perfect model for a watercolour painting. 

Field Daisies
Watercolour

Thursday, 22nd May 2025 - Auricula

I am drinking a very much needed mug of tea as I type. I have been with Herbie and we talk a lot. I need rehydrating. We had a wonderful few hours. We played, read, went to the park, watched the bin men and ended up in the pub for refreshments of chilli crisps and apple juice. 

A friend has had to have her elderly dog put down today. When pets, friends and family die, even when it is expected, it still breaks your heart. So sorry Leelee. 

I am looking forward to a glass of wine with June and Barry later. They are staying tonight and it will be lovely to catch us since they moved away a couple of months ago. Potatoes boulangere, roasted vegetable and cod in breadcrumbs are in the oven.

Today's painting is another one going into the WOKAS exhibition. An oil of the auriculas that have been residing in my greenhouse and looking beautiful.

Auricula in Oil

Wednesday, 21st May 2025 - Hetty

Harriet gave us an impromptu visit today. Knowing I had a couple of hours from waking up until her arrival made me get my jobs done in super quick time. Herbie and I explored a hole that has been dug in the garden. We decided it was a snow rabbit. He is a big fan of the Octonauts - I now know all about them. Love that boy so much.

This evening I accompanied Tim on his weekly Morris dancing jaunt. The Hopbine was packed. I had a browse of the menu. £95 for a Tomahawk steak seemed excessive but it did serve two. Si and Lesley were there with their son and grandson. Lesley had been to tea at Buckingham Palace. I love hearing about peoples adventures. If you ever go the cucumber and mint sandwiches were recommended.

I have entered four paintings for the WOKAS art exhibition. One of our hens has been immortalised in a oil. I have thoroughly enjoyed painting this one.

Hetty in Oil

Tuesday, 20th May 2025 - Night Time Visitor

Chicken Update - To answer why our chickens have been traumatised - About a month ago during the night a 'beast', maybe a stoat or a weasel, got in and under our electric fence and took one hen leaving a pile of feathers and took a couple of bites out of another. Tim has installed a new electric fence. The two remaining hens are in full feather, the other one has missing feathers but no eggs.  Poor hens.

Today's picture is inspired by a night time adventure. Tim woke me at 1.30am saying I might like to come and see something...I was fast asleep but soon awake and intrigued. A badger had knocked the lid of the metal dustbin that we keep our bird feed in. It was so engrossed in eating the seed that opening the door and turning on the outside light did not deter it from its feast. Such a beautiful creature.

Today has been a jigsaw of change. Tim goes to bed before I do. While I am waiting for him to complete his ablutions I have been reading poems/rap from a book that Harriet gave me by Harry Baker. They have made me laugh and cry. Thank you to our weird and eccentric emotions that make life worth living.

Night Time Visitor
Watercolour

Monday, 19th May 2025 - Rose Strawberries

My yoga flow was interrupted by a harassed Tescos delivery chap. It wasn't my fault I had been added onto his round! On a positive note there were no substitutions and I now have wine and food ready for the WOKAS art exhibition preview on Saturday. I think the crispy wontons will be very popular.

I had a long long list of jobs to do before I went to Cranbrook. I crossed off a couple before heading to see Paul Newman. No, not the actor but my dentist. I have a chipped and cracked tooth that needs to be mended tomorrow and will lighten my bank account. My generation had dentists that were very generous filling our teeth with amalgam when we were children resulting in very little remaining tooth that is fragile.

I swung by my sisters for a dentist debrief with a punnet of rose strawberries. They are very pale but were delicious with our mugs of tea sitting in the garden under the wisteria. So pretty.

Back home I sat in the garden and had a video call with my daughter. She had a rare free moment. I very much appreciated she found time for me. She understands my odd ways and shares my passion for making art. An omelette and salad was just what I needed this evening. Our chickens are still in shock from their night time trauma. We are having to buy eggs. Blimey they are expensive. Four new chickens have been ordered. Maybe they will encourage our old ways to lay again.

Rose Strawberries
Watercolour

Sunday, 18th May 2025 - Pilgrims Way

After a 15 minute yoga session I did a bit of weeding and planting. Out went the straggly honesty and in went some very small cosmos plants I had grown from seed.
Tim was cementing around a man hole cover. This will need redoing tomorrow as I unknowingly reversed onto it with my gardening enthusiasm. Sorry!!!

Tony and Wendy collected us. We had a wander around the Pilgrims Way Artists exhibition in Lenham. There was loads to ponder over. My favourite was an inky Rook by Wil Taylor and lovely pictures made by Chromatography that I have no idea what that is. I am going to do a bit of research into it. We walked along the Pilgrims way - a very tiny bit of it - ending  back in Lenham where we had a drink at The Red Lion and another at The Dog and Bear. 

It was very pleasing to return home to eat leftover pheasant tagine that I made yesterday. 

Pilgrims Way
Watercolour