July - slips by....

I looked at the calendar, and saw with amazement, that July is almost spent. Frittered away visiting friends and family, complaining about the rain, and baking in the intense sunshine. What a month!

My baby boy progressed from teens to twenties, my dishwasher threw in the towel, I dined with my gorgeous lady friends, the yellow horse luxuriated in a personal back massage, the farmer and I motored south for a wonderful Black party and barbeque (wearing red, white and blue), and also north to a glamorous and emotional 18th/50th, I motored south again to spend a couple of days with a girlfriend,  shopped with a lovely young lady, and the kitchen door practically worn out with all the to-ing and fro-ing of an endless number of University students catching up with each other. It. Has. Been. Busy.

However. The time has come. I have located a sketch book, and begun....... just begun...... to make a few trial sketches in preparation for my second year as a Fine Art Student. There. I was beginning to think that it wouldn't happen. I have surprised myself. If I can also find the time to visit a few galleries during August I shall be able to cast off the burden of guilt I am feeling for not picking up a pencil or an art book during June and July. Shameful but true.

And. A DOLL HAS ARRIVED! Yay. A thing filled with love and emotion. A beautiful thing. And I shall be using it! To the maker I say 'thank you'. And I hope it's a sign of things to come.....

Dog News. Dog 1 - The poodle collapsed in pain 14 days ago, and veterinary investigations revealed the presence of a grass seed in his inner ear. The wretched thing has worked its way down his ear canal, ruptured his eardrum, and fragmented on the other side of the drum. He has been to the vets every other day, endured a long course of anti-biotics and looks well on the way to recovery.

Dog 2 - blue roan cocker, has a large and painful looking lump on the top of one of her paws. It doesn't seem to be troubling her, except she is licking at it too much, and so on Monday she will be revealing it at surgery.

Dog 3 - liver roan cocker - appears today to be in constant pain from possible digestive trouble(?) or punctured intestine(?) or some such alarming condition. I filled her full of dog anti-inflammatory/pain killer this morning and shall do the same tomorrow. So, guess what? On Monday she also will be visiting the veterinary surgery. Ergo, I am anticipating that our local Vet will be taking a long, expensive and well earned summer holiday at my expense owing the the massive pile of buttons that continue to pass from me to him. *sigh*. Come on dogs. Buck up!

The farmer purchased a very ancient and delicate scull for the baby boy to learn to scull in, on the river here at home. 'The learning' is proving to be an unexpectedly hazardous procedure, and he has still not quite mastered the technique. The process resembles a toddler battling to ride a two-wheeler on stabilisers. The scull is slender, unstable and faster than a speeding bullet. The boy has rolled it, lost his specs on the river bed, been angry, elated, wet and embarassed. He is now short of 'time to try' as he has started work at the fine old resort that is Butlins, on the east coast. Whether he will continue his exploration of lone rowing is anyone's guess, I salute him for having a go!

Home news: the decorator has finished making two of our bedrooms into respectable and immaculate places to rest and recuperate. Magnolia walls, oatmeal carpets and statement curtains are the order of the day. Carpets do not arrive for another 10 days so the turmoil of squeezing the contents of 5 bedrooms into three smaller bedrooms continues. Can't find anything. Laundry everywhere. Grumpy sons squashed into single beds, grumpy parents on son's memory foam mattress and hating it. Its all a bit of a challenge. I absolutely abhor the turmoil and hope it will be worth it in 11 days time..... And that magnolia paint? I love it. Can buy it anywhere. It goes with everything. Its cheap, clean and can be patched and refreshed almost endlessly. Interior decor. Easy.

Farm news: THE HAY IS FINALLY CUT. Like everyone else's, its too long, too late, too weedy and too wet, really, but at least it's down. This does, of course, mean that the dry spell we have been enjoying will break, and the rain will return, drenching the stuff as it lies on the fields. Probably.  Mould is infecting the wheat (and everyone else's) owing to the wet and humid weather. This will mean that the crop will be reduced. So, although wheat price is high we shall have 25-50% less quantity through disease. Sad but true.

I read today in the Farmer's Weekly that farmers are among the happiest workers in the land. Amazing. So, you lot must be bloomin' miserable!  Chins up.

Hoping to bring you gallery and exhibition news with my next posting. Wishing you all sunshine and laughter. X

PS - DOLL LADIES - your time has come! Offerings gratefully received..... XXXXXX

PPS _ Big boy home, safe and sound, from his southern work experience at Farley Estates. Well cared for by the Hearnes, wiser and thoughtful about the direction he might choose in his career. He has learned much. Now waiting for harvest and tractor driving, and filling his time clearing out the farmer's sheds (treasures), burning, scrapping and generally causing mayhem! Long may it continue...

appreciating friends

This week I have appreciated the incalculable value of dear friends. Mr and Mrs B invited us to spend a night or two in their holiday cottage with them in Norfolk. We headed off gladly and enjoyed two really wonderful days with them, and their friends Joe & Kirsty; discovering, in addition to any number of other things, this bold young starling on the seafront. He was determined to taste human flesh if at all possible.

Joe and Kirsty's dog 'Sir Alfie Mackenzee', who reminded us very much of the long-gone, but not forgotten Poppy. Alfie, however, was much less malodourous. Indeed, he was positively endearing. Quite a surprise for a Patterdale.

Whilst in Norfolk we arose early from our beds to attend a 'moth trap party....' We were lucky enough to meet, at close quarters, this giant hawkmoth, an Eyed hawkmoth and a Poplar hawkmoth. Also, a very cute snout nosed moth, and a white fellow who had feathers rather than wings. A very interesting morning (even though I am just slightly afraid of moths......)

Here are the trapped moths, in pots, for inspection, cataloguing and subsequent release. We were amused to note that a fearless robin was hanging around with a determined look on his beak. He has learned that escaping moths are fair game, and seemed to view the entire moth operation as nothing more than a visit to a fast food restaurant. He was, obviously, fat and smug!

Furthermore, this week, I am grateful to a friend for the opportunity to spend an entire afternoon in a screen printing production area. AND another friend has provided son number 2 with the opportunity to spend a day or two in the office of a very successful Chartered Surveyor observing and learning. AND, yet another friend has provided son number 1 with work experience alongside the Manager of aViscount's Estate near Windsor. (The son met the Vicount today and found him charming and generous). AND furthermore yet another friend is housing and feeding son number 1 during his sojourn in foreign parts (that's Wokingham.....)

I am humbled by all the kindness we have experienced in the last week or two from those above, and others. Sometimes its difficult to find ways to say thankyou. So here is a big fat thank-you to friends everywhere. Lovely, lovely friends. Where would we be without them? In a lonely place, that's for sure.

Baby boy has officially left his teenage years behind, as of yesterday, and the Farmer has today fetched an enormous scull (boatish thing) and all its accoutrements as a birthday gift. Watch out for a speeding dart on local waterways. That'll be the rower giving it his best. Exciting times.

Mucho. X

Life, lions and lovely families!

I called into Louth recently, and, to my surprise, found a small pride of huge lions in a glass case in the Market Place. And they were exquisite. Well done Shauna Richardson artist and creator.

Crocheted by an Artist, all three were awe-inspiring.

We went to stay with friends near Henley. Our youngest was competing there. Our hosts offered us this wonderfully refreshing, and somewhat unusually coloured home made Pimms. We courageously sampled this colourful beverage, and declared it drinkable. You read that right. It was fine. If blue.

Our hosts' dog resting in preparation for more resting. Rosie, the mose peaceful canine I have ever met.

At Henley now. I left my hat, my lipstick, my hairbrush and my vanity 2km away in the car. Yet still had the courage to sit beside the quite lovely Ollie who is University of Leicester Men's coach, as well as being an almost graduated Med Student. Some people are gluttons for punishment! He has worked so hard with the rowers I am proud to have met him. Dedication personified.

Our own Henley rower, post-race, and the lovely Daisy.  Tired and unbowed by a closely fought race which Leicester lost by a nose. We are expecting him home for the summer tomorrow. And with any luck, plus a following wind, we may host Daisy for the summer too. I look forward with excitement to some 'girlie stuff'. At last.

And finally. The Farmer and I attended a 'Cowboys and Indians' party. In the rain. Outdoors. Only true friendship kept us there in the dark and drizzle! And some riotous party games, excellent food and a huge, roaring garden fire. Some compensations!

It seems to have been non-stop during the past two weeks. Up and down the country to Regattas, Big Boy roaring round the nation going to a ball, delivering calf pens to Gloucestershire and living it up in Devon. Now hoping for a little peace and organisation going forward. We are off to Norfolk on Tuesday leaving boys in charge (eek), and away again at the weekend to celebrate a joint 50th & 18th with friends. Big Boy away on Sunday to Farley Farms for a few weeks Estate experience, and youngest inducting at Butlins in couple of weeks for his summer employment. You know what? This doesn't look much more peaceful to me. Pass me some Red Bull!

Adieu, adieu, until the next time. X

Henley Royal Regatta

Wednesday at 10.30am will find The Farmer and his wife yelling their heads off on the banks of the Thames at Henley. The target of our yelling will be the University of Leicester men's 8 racing against University of Southampton in a heat for the Temple Challenge Cup. I am so excited about this outing that I can hardly wait. If they are strong enough to win they will race Harvard (USA) on Thursday, and a win on Wednesday would be the biggest rowing achievement ever brought home to University of Leicester. Send these motivated and dedicated young men (and young lady coxswain) strength and stamina for their race. We shall yell on your behalf!

There is a live results feed on the Henley Royal Regatta website if you wish to know how they do, as they do it. Even if they are knocked out on Wednesday they will have done as much as one other University of Leicester team, 16 years ago. So, already, they have equalled a record.

I have my big boy home. He is out on a tractor contracting job tomorrow, and has a property to prepare for letting, and some bricks to clean in his spare time. Wouldn't want him to think his short break from study is time for...... a break.

Keep you posted on rowing news. X

373 posts

I can hardly believe it. Technology tells me that I have blogged 373 times! What a load of words. And pictures. *struck dumb in amazement*.

North Lincs Print Open 2012 @ The Ropewalk

So, off I went in the pouring rain, firstly to Stennetts auction in Brigg, near the railway line, to see if I could purchase some fertile peacock eggs (the answer to that was 'not today'). Onwards then, still only 9am, and to Barton upon Humber. I finally found the Ropewalk, hiding at the rear of a Tesco Carpark (how inauspicious). However, upon entry to the rather lovely historic buildings I found a bit of a treasure trove, both of Art, Artistry and cake.

The 2012 Print Exhibition is displayed over two cavernous yet intimate and well lit spaces. I was the only peruser, so had plenty of time to take in the view. My initial impression: I was completely overwhelmed by the skill and beauty of the printing. I felt small. I felt hopeless. I felt intimidated. Having walked fairly quickly around the first room I gathered the courage to start actually 'looking' at the prints. Most, indeed nearly all, are absolutely breathtaking. I couldn't see how most effects had been achieved, and couldn't begin to guess. I photographed some of my favourites, and also the prize winners. The Exhibition first prize went to an absolutely staggering and well executed drypoint etching, large in scale, evocative and captivating. I could have looked into it all day. It shows a window, with the sunlight illuminating a lace curtain, and picking out some features of the room. Go and see it.

Some of the techniques: aquatint, collograph, mezzotint, relief print drypoint, etching, monotype, linoprint, relief with collage, chine colle, monoprint, etching on plaster, canvas print (with screen, line & gold leaf), woodcut, open screenprint, relief on vinyl, reduction linoprint, photoetching, etching emboss, lithograph, and a digital print.

Laughingly, I thought I was learning to be a Printer. Hahaha, I couldn't achieve all this knowledge, and this level of skill in a lifetime, never mind the 3 years of a degree!

Viewing the prints has made me realise that I will have to take some private Printing courses to extend my knowledge and techniques. Time is all that is required. I'm on it.

Crushed and humbled, I collapsed into a cafe seat, and found myself shortly thereafter guzzling a huge square of lemon cake and sucking down tea like a parched foreign legionnaire. As a consequence I 'bucked up' somewhat. The sugar rush enabled me to view the collection again, with a little more sense and proportion. There were one or two exhibits that I could perhaps match.

I departed the show in rather better spirits than I arrived, and may even go again if I find myself near the Humber Bridge.

Yet more pouring rain as I motored on to visit family members, and made my way home on flooded roads through torrents of water. Phew. Hopefully, not long til gin o'clock. Its been a big day.

Kiss, kiss. X

marlow regatta

So, the Farmer and I arose from our bed at 5.30am and were on the road to Eton once again by 6.30am. The Baby boy was scheduled to race at 10.40am, and we didn't want to miss the fun. Couldn't help noticing that the weather was pretty grim, and growing grimmer as we drew towards our destination.

Things were somewhat different at Dorney Lake too. This was the last event permitted before the Olympic preparations completely take over the lake. All of the 'business bits' of the lake were already closed off. Therefore, we had to park absolutely miles from the boats (other side of lake). We sprinted round to the other side to meet the rowers (about 2km) carrying the Baby boy's wellingtons. He was desperate for them. The reason? The poor buggers were forced to get onto the water off the nettle and thistle strewn banks of the lake. I kid you not. It was raining, blowing a gale, and there were hundreds and hundreds of young people wading around in the lake struggling into and out of their craft. I saw some teams carrying their tiny coxswains into position on their boat on the water. Owing to the horrible weather the start line staff were unable to hold the boats on the line for an orderly start, therefore teams had to attempt to line up in a howling gale on open water and make the best of it. Good starts were difficult. Our boys did make an advantageous beginning, but were caught by a particularly strong gust of wind which pushed them sideways whilst in second position. After re-aligning the boat down the course they never made up their dropped places, and rowed like lost souls for the remainder of the course.

We rejoined the dejected sportsmen (sprinted back another 2km) in their weed infested sheep field (I am not kidding) to sympathise, and then made an early departure. Apparently, shortly afterwards, the course was cut down to 1500m, and then, a little later, racing was abandoned.

It was a horrible experience for the organisers, the observers and all the rowers. Let's blame the weather, and the Olympics. I cannot understand why the kids were not allowed to use the pontoons for getting in and out of their craft at least. It was quite, quite dreadful.

Upon our return home I am advised that the Big Boy has been involved in a vehicular tete-a-tete with a gatepost. Not his vehicle thank goodness, and all 4 people in the car are relatively uninjured. Have recommended they all scoot along to AandE for a checkover and that they have learned the courage to realise that if they don't like the way they are being driven in someone else's car its better to ask to get out than grin and bear it with unpredictable consequences.

On the plus side, we had one of those '£10 for two' MandS meals to round off this difficult and tiring day, and it was absolutely delicious. 10/10 MandS! Early night for us. And the rowers. And probably for team 'car prang' too. *sigh*.