I’m sorry you’ve been ill, Viv and missed your holiday. It seems the only good thing is Pippa not having to board. I hope you continue to improve in health.

Dry here, again, today. I pruned a fig and have been cutting the branches into small pieces for the bin. I used the hose yesterday to water pots, to save carrying cans. I had three falls last week, would you believe! A nicely swollen ankle and some impressive bruises on arms and legs. I just missed hitting my face on the corner of a wooden raised bed!

I do hope you soon feel like painting again, Chammi. The loss of those dear to us can hit hard. Take care.

My ankle is on the mend, thank you and the bruises on my arm and knee are colourful!

I visited a Victorian school in the village of Sevingon, near Leigh Delemere outside Chippenham. We spent the afternoon as Victorian children in the schoolhouse, having to behave as they did. We wrote with dip pens , sitting on benches at the school desks. The tour leaders were dressed as Victorians and we had tea and cake in the parlour afterwards. We also visited the church up the road at Leigh Delamere. The village, school and church were built by a philanthropist by the name is Neald. He also built the Neald Hall in Chippenham.
He was left his fortune by an uncle who was a jeweller/goldsmith , who became court jewller after raising himself from humble beginnings near Sevington
https://www.sevingtonvictorianschool.co.uk/

Lesley took some photos

Schoolhouse

School teacher and villager

Some of the church and Sevington village

School bell tower

Saying Hello in the new thread

I like your photos Enny, you visit a lot of interesting places.

I’m in Shetland at the moment (the northernmost of the Scottish islands). I’ve been here since Monday – working unfortunately, so I won’t get a chance to have a proper look around. It’s very pretty. When we got here we went to a headland near the airport for a bit of birdwatching, and I’ve never seen so many puffins – they were such fun to watch. And on Friday we were treated to fantastic views of a pod of killer whales. I will share photos when I get home.

Our art club exhibition started on Saturday. I’ve heard we’ve had lots of sales but no idea if any of mine have sold, and I won’t get to visit until the last day.

Penny, you certainly have some interesting experiences. This one is so interesting and looks like a lot of fun. That poor gent looks like a lonely little petunia in an onion patch. (my Dad always said that was what he felt like when my Mom had all her girlfriends for tea). Great photos. Did you do some sketching? Those wonderful old buildings are just crying out to be in someone’s sketch book. Looking forward to reading all about your new art group.

I managed to do some work on my tree commission today. Trying to paint something that is one and a half metres long by 50 centimetres wide and contains just one long tree is a challenge of mammoth proportions. My client wants a representational but somewhat impressionistic with some detail. You work that one out!!!!!!

I managed to do some work on my tree commission today. Trying to paint something that is one and a half metres long by 50 centimetres wide and contains just one long tree is a challenge of mammoth proportions. My client wants a representational but somewhat impressionistic with some detail. You work that one out!!!!!!

something like this comes to my mind
https://img-2.fruugo.com/product/2/80/14193802_max.jpg

Lovely to see Pippa and the footsteps in the snow. I don’t think of you having snowfalls!

Yes, I’m fine , thanks, but my back is complaining.

The lych gates were at the entrance to many churches. I believe they were for coffin bearers to wait before the church in inclement weather.

I have Nico and the two whippets staying. Everybody has had walkies, I’m listening to the Test Match and have finished Nico’s portrait. I have also chosen which animal I doing for the challenge, but not starting that, yet. I am at an interesting part in the detective novel I’m reading and want to continue that before I have a rest.

Thanks for the information,Kay. I would find it hard living without trees. The weather sound very Scottish.