Well we are back home and we have returned to a very busy period indeed. On top of the usual, we are involved in some very sensitive covis recovery work which I don't want to talk about, but it has added considerably to our work loads.

Above is a watercolor from many years ago, it was an awesome painting trip round the north west tip of Scotland.The above bay is just to the south of Cape Wrath, there is no road access to it, the only way of getting there was via a sleep climb down and then about a mile across the moors, to another steep drop into the bay. The reward was to enter one of the most peaceful places which it has been my privilege to enter. When you manage to get truly into the wilds, there are no engine noises, no vapor trials in the sky, the air smells clean and the effect of mankind is nonexistent, well almost. I spent half a day here before returning back up the climbs and across the moors to the car and it was a climb; I stopped a couple of times to get my puff back. At the end of that day I remember being totally relaxed and at peace with myself and God. We all have special days like that and it is important to remember them, as  those memories are a source of encouragement when times are hectic and tough

Well I will post this now and then get down to some project work whilst I have a chance.

 

Well we are back home after a few special days around Bosham. the weather was far from perfect, indeed we got well and truly soaked a few times, but we did see super things, met lovely people and enjoyed each others company.

We saw so much on our walks, including, avocets, cuckoos, small terns, shell ducks, shoveler ducks, corn buntings and much more.  The young teasels (above) were prolific and amazing, as was all the vegetation. The bird sanctuary at Pagham harbor  was terrific.

Now have you ever gone into a pub to eat and as we were lateish, they had stopped selling food. that happened to us yesterday and to our astonishment the landlord said, go and get a takeaway and bring it back here to eat. which we did, he gave us knife and forks, then even clearing away the packaging afterwards. Now that is what I call a friendly local pub and it is called the Rose Tavern in East Preston.

 

Having a good time in Bosham, woke up this morning to rain, rain and more rain, so we went for a brisk walk around the estuary bay of Chichester harbor in the afore mentioned rain. Surprisingly it was invigorating and the views of Bosham stunning, see above. Liz is still waterproof, but only just; she told me that!

We took a short cut back to Bosham as it was low tide; straight across the muddy estuary, the path was a little wet but ok, From this walk I feel that Liz has much stored up ammunition to hurl at me in the future. Never mind, its all part of the fun.

We are now drying out in the B&B, before our next jaunt. We found a friendly pub with good food called the Berkeley Arms last night, we are eating there again tonight.

 

Well yet again we have gone away. We seem to have developed a tradition that we go away for a few days over my birthday, so here we are in Bosham on the coast in Sussex in a pleasant B&B, to rest, sketch, sleep and eat for a day or two.

I love history and Bosham holds a truly ancient place in our nations story. When Hathacante (I thing that the spelling is correct), King Canute's son, was king he invited Edward the Confessor over from the continent to rule Britain for him, because he had to go home to Denmark to sort them all out over there. Well when Edward landed in the UK it was at Bosham at the very quay which is shown in the sketch above, 

You can stop yawning now and we are thinking about going out to a pub for supper, maybe a walk on the front and then sleep.

 

Just to let you know that I am exhibiting with the Surrey Arts in the Mill during July, there is an open invitation for you all to come and see my own and others work at this event. Entrance is free, but you do meed to book on the internet before hand. The e-mail address is in the flyer above. Six of my sculptures will be on show and I will be there on both Saturdays.

Lovely summer days are with us again so in my mind a trip to the Camel Estuary is in order; I can't remember if it is Cornwall or Devon. Whatever we had a few super days there a couple of years ago with two dear friends The above picture was a special moment, I was seated on a grassy bank over looking the estuary near to the Methodist chapel, it was warm and sunny, but not to hot, the sea breeze was gorgeous. It was a pity that days like that come to an end.

 

Firstly a very big thank you to all of you for your get well wishes and prayers for the last couple of weeks. Yesterday I walked four miles over the fields behind Ripley, then today I walked three hilly miles around Polesden Lacey and Ranmoor. After each walk I was tired, but well, so that is rather good.

We met a lovely Japanese family, mum, dad and two lovely young girls. Two pictures of Polesden Lacey were drawn, the above one of the house and another of Blagden farm. It was lovely and warm, reminiscent of all that sun last year. So after the walk Liz and myself sat near the hall and had a well earned ice cream; Liz read and I sketched; a rather nice way to end a walk.

Collected a tomato plant from a friend on the way home, so that has been potted, it looks happy, cooked a pan full of beef bolognese which is for Sunday nightt, so that means that I can now sit down for a while. What will Liz find for me to do next? I wonder.