Faded Glory

Took my new bike out for a spin today in the sunshine.  Managed to go the wrong way on part of the route, but it all adds to the enjoyment of the countryside.  Have watched this allotment full of sunflowers change from glorious blooms over the weeks we have been riding to these lovely seedheads which the birds will be grateful of as the weather turns colder.

Almost a Tweet!!

Started Solo Printing class with Sue Brown in Cheltenham this week.  This little chap is going to be another Silk Aquatint printing plate.  I have just got the preliminary sketch laid down using white acrylic and now need to spend some quiet time adding the layers of texture to the plate.

Have not seen the long tailed tits in the garden for a few days but lots and lots of goldfinches.

Couch to 50 Kilometers

This morning saw 4 of the group of 8, plus 2 tutors, meeting up at 9.15 am to set off on our 'Big Ride', the culmination of 10 weeks of tuition, guidance and lots of practice.  I personally managed to do 37.76 miles in 3 hours 21 minutes.  Not a record breaking achievement, but amazing for me.  Seriously contemplating buying a new bike to make life easier for riding up hills.  We all want to keep up our cycling now we have got this far and have the confidence to go out on the road so who knows where this will lead?  At least it will keep me a lot fitter than I was.

We were all kept going by the thought of cake and coffee at Croombe, which some managed to change to bacon sandwiches by the time we actually arrived!!

Book Art Exhibition - Hereford

Went out to do some H-Art venues today and also visited the HARC in Fir Tree Lane to see the 'Re-Imaging the Laws of England - Magna Carta through bookarts, textiles and paintings' exhibition.  It was wonderful although you did need to read the information in the accompanying booklet to fully understand the thinking behind each piece.  I believe it is open Monday to Friday until 24 November, but recommend checking if you plan a visit.

Just a few pictures to whet your appetite

Loved these little shoes

Green Pears?

Over the weekend we visited one or two H-Art venues and came across these lovely pods that had became rather neglected and wild.  I think they had originally had herbs crowing in them with a soil filled moss lining wrapped around with hessian fabric and string.  The moss had obviously enjoyed its damp environment and taken over with the herbs dying.

A Jolly Sewcial

On Friday of last week four of us joined Kathleen Murphy for our second Sewcial of the year in Cheltenham.  We had a jolly good time with much hilarity.  We were making bound dolls.

From humble beginnings we produced several charming characters ...

A large family group

A very beautiful peasant lady

Bear Necessities

DH and I spent the afternoon at Ironbridge on Wednesday and came across these bear heads on top of the railings at the Merrythought car park.  Not a very nice sight.  The weather was very pleasant and the Tile Museum was fabulous.

Lovely wild flower planting to enjoy with a view of the famous bridge ....

Is this a wise old owl I wonder?