It has been a lovely summer, with lots of challenges, trips and journeys involving going all over the place. Well only a few places to go left for this year. However, in about ten days we are off to Normandy, near Cherbourg with about twenty friends for a week; where we will be living in an old chateau, lovely, we stayed there a few years ago and it should all be rather good fun.

Apart from that, last night a rather significant point was reached. Over the last few years I have been studying trees and how they fit within their enviourments. These pieces of work are mainly pen and ink work, but do include water colour, photography, wire sculpture and one or two pencil sketches. Most of these works have involved considerable effort in time and endeavour, that is fine and it has been such a learning curve and also enjoyable, as well as demanding; well last night I finished number four hundred in the series. It doesn't stop there as the subject becomes wider and wider still the more I look. 

Just back home after being away for another trip; this time Liz took me to Bletchley Park for my belated birthday treat and the place certainly lived up to its expectations. I learnt a great deal and it is beautiful stately home, I learnt a little about myself as well and it was about not taking yourself to seriously.

Whilst seated and doing the above drawing in glorious sunshine an admirer of my work approached. That's fine and its a pleasant way of meeting people. Well this chap really liked the above drawing and wanted it; to the extent that he would like to buy it. So I replied as usual that all my work is for sale. He then put his hand in his pocket, took out two pounds and offered it to me for the picture; I just laughed, as I politely explained reality to him. He laughed as well. We parted friends.

Like I say don't take yourself to seriously and enjoy laughing at yourself occasionally.

Oh by the way New Wine went very well.