Beautiful Blossom

The weather has been so nice that I popped to Cheltenham early on Thursday and went to see the latest exhibition by printer Sue Brown at Chapel Arts.  I had a spot of lunch there and stuck my nose into The Wilson Art Gallery and Museum.  I did not have much time left before I needed to be back at The Yard Artspace for solo printing but will make another visit to The Wilson soon when I will allow myself time to explore the galleries.

Lots of cycling the past fortnight too.  I did over 80 miles (not all at one go I might add) during the first week and this week I have done 34 miles and will hopefully do almost another 20 at the weekend.  The weekend ride will be very challenging as I know it is quite hilly.

Spring in Malvern

There are always surprises in our garden. Lots of flowers have opened under the area where the bird feeders are and they bring a smile to my face everytime I go to hang some washing out, which seems to be on an almost a daily basis at the moment!!

On Tuesday afternoon DH decided to put up some trellis that has been residing in the garage for over year.  Have you ever seen anyone who assembles the trellis and posts, screwing them together, before erecting them in the postholes and concreting them in? I despair at times.  I think it must be his left handed brain. He will have the problem of getting them level today before the concrete goes into the holes. Must make myself scarce …..

Lost the Plot .... Again!!

I have been messing around with this drypoint of a chicken for several weeks now and this week I actually managed to finish a collagraph plate to provide a background for it.  A little bit of experimentation followed.  Do I print the drypoint first or the collagraph? A chicken and egg situation I think? Anyway I prefer the collagraph first followed by the drypoint as it then retains the light areas I created on the collagraph. Need to try some different coloured inks now.

Thank goodness I got out for a fairly long cycle ride on my own today. It seems like forever since I was last out.  I did almost 38 miles in fairly pleasant weather, albeit a little chilly at times.  Stopped off at National Trust Croome Park on my way for parsnip and apple soup and a scone. I had to ride up a section of road that was supposedly closed but I never came across anything happening that would have meant it should be shut. The alternative was far more daunting which was to cycle back along part of my route I had already done to get to Croome another way.  I would then have still had to cycle the remaining 17 miles back to Malvern. Decided to take a chance and it was the right decision for once.

Windy WOW Ride

This photograph does not reflect how windy it was on Saturday when 8 of us set off on a 'Steady' ride from St Peter's Garden Centre, near Worcester. It was a 'BREEZE' ride organised by Women on Wheels (WOW) but we were not expecting the 20 mph winds we encountered. One rider decided to drop out just after the start, but the rest of us carried on with great care and completed a 20 mile ride.

Unfortunately the 40 mph winds forecast for today have led to the ride being cancelled for safety reasons.