Well, I don't feel another year older yet, though each morning the mirror tells me to get real, and that this is indeed the case!
Perhaps I do feel a little wiser, or more experienced, than I did last year, which is a good thing.  But one thing I do feel is extremely fortunate, and would like to start by thanking all of you who sent me birthday wishes, cards and presents. I had such a lovely day, starting with opening my cards.  I spent so long over this that Mr Cooper had to hurry me on to opening presents, as we were then setting out for our first long walk together since June.
Just a quick resume of the day here.......and for those of you under 50, please try to stifle those yawns.  And no, I don't need any advice as to how to spend an enjoyable day, this is it!
First, decide on your route for your walk at least the day before, and preferably pack your rucksack
 (I did warn you that you might be bored, you young things) the night before.
Just for once, Mr Cooper was super smug and ready early, whilst I was still dashing round, collecting essential items at 8.58am, ready for our 9am start.
Then, drive to Selborne and start your walk, enjoying the lovely autumn day.  A sunny day, just like the day that I was actually born (Mum tells me this on my birthday each year).  The best thing about a birthday is lots of people are genuinely nice to you.  Mr Cooper was very lenient throughout the walk, with any signs of tetchiness put on the back burner.  When I thanked him for being with me, as it was 'my most favourite thing to do ever' he didn't then list what his most favourite things ever were.
 And, although really happy and excited, I stopped myself saying to each person I met that it was my birthday.  To make the day even better, it would have been great if I had done so, and each fellow walker then produced from his bag a beautifully wrapped present.......
But that is perhaps having too much imagination!  Let's focus a little on what is real.  Here is a photo taken of the destination of our walk, Noar Hill near Selborne.

What better thing to do after a 7-8 mile walk than to have a pint in a country pub.  Going into the Selborne Arms is always a little magical, and however full the pub is, our favourite seat is almost always empty, and ready for us.  Another wonderful thing is that you can buy a pint in 3 thirds, so you can try that stupidly dark beer that you know you won't actually like, but are weirdly drawn towards.  See below for evidence of the same.

After last week's pie and beer evening, after consuming the incredibly strong beer extremely slowly, drinking a third of a pint of very dark beer was actually a breeze. We had our usual pub lunch, too.  Crisps and nuts.  https://www.selbornearms.co.uk/
When we got back to 'The Gables' instead of doing anything that I should do, I had a little lie down, accompanied by some very important accessories.  A good classic detective story, a glass of red wine, and too much chocolate.  Mr Cooper also had a lie down, minus the book and wine, but was well up for the chocolate.
Although I did enjoy the classic detective story, 'The Hog's Back Mystery', by Freeman Wills Croft, first published in 1933, my book of the week has to be this one.

Set on the Isle of Wight (already winning) in 1864, and featuring Tennyson, Lewis Carroll and others,  it is indeed, as the Sunday Telegraph says, 'Enormously entertaining, a delicious confection'.

Back to the present.  Me and Mr Cooper are now awake, dressed for the evening, and ready to go somewhere that we usually go to once a year, but would love to visit once a month.  Yes, it has to be 'Fat Olives' in Emsworth.  We have always had exceptionally good food there, and we are always amongst the youngest there, another plus for when you are getting to be 'well old'.
The only drawback to the whole day was that when we were walking home from Emsworth, as it was just before 10 when we left Fat Olives, we were looking forward to having a quick one in The Travs, only to find it closed at 10.30!
I have just finished painting another sign for the managers of 'The Travs'......perhaps I should have included some opening times too!

I did manage to stretch out my birthday a little, by including Sunday as a sort of honorary birthday.  This meant I was able to watch the start of Flambards, woohoo!

 Mark sent me the DVD for my birthday present.  Mr Cooper had not seen it when it was on TV in the late seventies/early eighties so he had no nostalgic glow about it.  In fact, when we had watched the first 'feature length' episode, his only comment was that there were '4 discs to get through!' This comment was made with horror, not happiness.  I think he will find that watching one episode each weekend will soon become a pleasure, and if not, he can just sit quietly while I do.
I also made a dessert on Sunday, using a recipe that looks a little boring in the book, but is such a delicious and refreshing dessert.  We had it the previous week, to follow the pie, and Mr Cooper was a little sad as he felt (quite rightly) that me and Nigel had eaten more than our fair share of the caramel shards. So making it again, just for the two of us meant that we could both eat much more than our fair share of caramel shards. Result!

When I went to work on Tuesday, I also was given some more presents, this time from Sam.  He had warned me that although he had bought me the best T shirt ever, I might just have to display it and not wear it!  Something to do with it being for a 3-4 year old.

Well, I will display it, but in a way where it can be seen by lots of people.*  I showed Mr Cooper my present when I had just got back from an early morning swim, and he said 'If you keep swimming and lose lots of weight, then one day it will fit'.
 I fear that Mr Cooper is not very tactful when he is first awake!

In my last blog I was feeling excited about 3 new commissions.  Last week I had a shock when the 23 book illustrations appeared to be shelved, out of the blue.  Now I am relieved, as they are required once more, but not so many.
 I was to have painted 3 boards for the pub, but that has become only 2.  Oh well, it has paid for my car's new exhaust, with a little bit over for a visit to the hairdresser.  It was a little too optimistic to think that my car tax would also be taken care of.
But the commission to complete painting the inside of Dilly, the vintage caravan belonging to Rose and Paul is steaming ahead.  I have also been commissioned to start decorating the outside of Dilly, perhaps focusing on a front corner to start with.
Here is the most amazing Dilly,

and here is the link for you to find out more about her place in the work of Rose and Paul.
www.facebook.com/herbsmagickpath

Well, another week has ended and another almost begun, and this week ended on an unexpected note.
Birthday flowers from Molly!

Thank you Molly, and thank you everyone yet again for your cards, messages and gifts.  I am ready now to face the world  having got used to being a whole year older, and sadly, after all my chocolate eating, perhaps I should up the exercise regime!
Leaving you with those thoughts, now the days are getting shorter, making sure you do get regular exercise becomes more important for our well-being.  It is a lot harder to leave a warm bed when it is dark outside, and set off for the swimming pool, but when you are there, the water is no colder and you leave feeling a lot better.  We can't change the fact that winter is soon upon us, but we can help ourselves to work to enjoy and not endure it.  So look for those training shoes, swimming costumes, exercise classes, and give yourself a boost.  Then you can reach for a little chocolate before closing the curtains at 5 o'clock.

So, just share the chocolate love between family and friends, or be like Colin, and share it with the whole nation!  He made Erich a happy birthday cake to celebrate his first birthday, and so successful was the final result that it made it onto 'The Extra Slice!  Here is Erich,

and here is his very own birthday cake, in his likeness.......

Congratulations both to Erich and to Colin.
So just get out there and get baking and laughing too, another good way to soften the blow which is winter.  See you all very soon, happy baking!



*What you can do with a small T shirt, a bag and ribbon! (Plus 2 hours)

The last two weeks have been filled with dining out experiences, interspersed with interesting and varied commissions.  Plus, of course, a little light reading.
From what I have read in the past two weeks, I am recommending this as well worth a read.  Looking at the reviews on the back, I must admit I was a bit sniffy with 'An engrossing and memorable read' Daily Express, but as there was also this one, 'Utterly compelling' Independent on Sunday I plucked it form the library shelves.  Just how retro am I?

On Thursday I had a meeting with Nigel, the creator of the Mission Tent http://www.missiontent.co.uk/   This resulted in me being commissioned to create 23 more illustrations for his book 'get Him out', much joy and excitement there. Then the next day, me and Mr Cooper walked into Emsworth (we hadn't intended to, but we missed the bus by lingering for too long in 'The Travs') to meet Dawn and Aaron at Spice Village, for an exciting Indian dining experience.  I like the decor there, and the food tastes great, but nothing happens at any great speed there.  Well, your order gets taken promptly, but that's when the prompt and efficient part of the evening ends.  When I placed my order for freshwater fish with Himalayan broad beans, I was told that I had picked a dish requiring 30 minutes to cook.  No problem, we all said, as Mr Cooper and Aaron had ordered starters.  But do let us know if there is a problem, we added.  Which they did, 30 minutes later.  Unfortunately, I was told, there were no broad beans.  Mr Cooper, having enjoyed some very reasonably priced Cobra on draught, offered to pop out to the Co-op, and purchase some.  Well, that wasn't quite the only problem, as the next was that there was no fish.  Would I care to order something else?  Luckily my next choice of lamb with butternut squash did not take 30 minutes to appear, but when we left, after 2 courses and no coffee, we had been there for 3 hours.  Luckily we had a lot of catching-up to do, and Dawn and I both decided to do the South Downs walk together again, next year.  And Mr Cooper and Aaron decided not to.

Whilst working, reading, walking, swimming, creating, cooking etc (I think it is called life) I continue to knit in the evening.  Last week, William received a jumper (1-2 years) and this week, Nana Sue posted one to young Henry (2-3 years). Whilst Henry was very cleverly blowing bubbles, his mummy very cleverly posted me some pictures, and here he is!  The hat he is wearing brought back many happy memories, for I knitted it in The Falklands, completing it in Havana. And as long as his arms don't decide to suddenly grow, the jumper should still be fitting him in the spring.  Looking forward to seeing you and mummy in November, Henry.

My next 'interesting commission' was from 'The Trav's, our local watering hole.  I have been asked to paint the 'A' signs that help to entice people in.  So although this takes me away from my cookery book illustrations, at least I am engaged in a food commission.  Anything to do with lettering is not my favourite occupation, but as my car exhaust needs replacing, this job has come along at a very fortuitous time.
 So here is side one,

closely followed by sign two.  At least I have done some artwork in my shed this week! (As well as catching up with The Archers.)

'Fortuitous' could be the word of the week, because when I was busy at work, washing dishes, I saw my friend Rose at the window, waving to me.  I had not seen her for about 2 years, so I popped out to say hello, and arranged to see her in my break for tea and a catch up.
 Well, the last time I saw Rose, she was poised on the edge of starting a business selling her own herbal remedies.  'How is it going?' I asked, then sat there enthralled to hear about all the events she goes to, selling her products in her vintage caravan.
 When she described the 'Fairy Fair' in the New Forest, I realised I needed to go there next year, especially as everyone dresses up in fairy costume!  Suddenly my break was nearly over, but before I left, Rose showed me her beautiful caravan.  Inside, it has been decorated so wonderfully, it has become its own work of art.  Rose said there were a couple of items inside that still needed painting, and also they wanted part of the outside to be painted with a fairy forest theme.  'I can do that' I said excitedly, and 10 seconds later I got the job. I am just so excited and thrilled!
 I have no pictures to show you at the moment, but just watch this space.

Well, that ends my commissions for the week, but not the dining experiences. Two more to go!
 We had a family excursion to The George and Dragon in Hurstbourne Tarrant, where Sam has a new job, starting in December.  Me and Mr Cooper booked a room for the night, and Sam, John and George came over at 7.30 for us to all partake of the taster menu.  I really recommend both staying there, and the taster menu (the duck was so good) with 5 courses for £39.  I am sure we will be going again, and the customers there were so very posh!  It has been a long time since I was sharing a room with people called Otto and Fergus (although I am sure I wash up their cutlery and plates twice a week, at The Greyhound on the Test). It was fascinating to listen to what posh people do during the week, and as they spoke so very loudly, we couldn't fail to hear!
 The whole experience was very pleasurable.

The last dining event was designed to celebrate a bottle of stupidly strong beer, 32% proof, that Sarah had given her Dad for Christmas a while back.  What better way to do it than by inviting Nigel over (another Nigel, a Friday regular from The Travs) and making a pie to go with it.
Beer and pie, two things that Nigel, along with Mr Cooper, especially loves.  Look above to see the stupidly strong beer, alongside the 'little something' that Nigel brought along for us all.  This photo will help to explain a couple of pictures that are yet to come.

Me and Mr Cooper don't often eat pie because I don't often make pie.  But, as the old adage goes, 'If you are going to get wet, you may as well go swimming'. The filling for the pie was from a beef stew recipe where brisket was slowly braised with anchovies and thyme, courtesy of Nigella.  The pastry contained the following controversial ingredient........

.......plus butter too!  This was courtesy of Jamie, and was used to adorn our 24cm diameter pie.

I was going to put here a photo of the huge pie I made, freshly out of the oven.  As I used my phone and not my camera, the result was not sharp enough.  So here is a picture taken the day after, of what we failed to eat, with the wonderful purple blackbird pie funnel ( and yes, that does make sense) all the way from The Falklands.
We had to use that pie funnel, as both it and the beer were gifts from Sarah.

Although I say it myself, everything was delicious (thanks Nigella and Jamie), and then we tried the beer.  As Nigel said, it is not technically a beer, as it is beer that went on to be triple-distilled.  The taste is indeed powerful, and it took us a very long time to finish our measure.  However, after that, we found the Ladybird book of 'The Hangover' intensely amusing, with Nigel especially liking these two pages.

And as the evening progressed, as well as laughing a lot, I realised I had also become, in the space of three hours, extremely wise, and, just like in a fairy story, bestowed a gift for each of us, in written form.

Nigel has instruction number three, get a kitten! Mr Cooper needs to actually go on a hot cruise, and I am going to do something about nicotinoids, a pesticide which really could not be much more widely used.  I have always been sensitive to the plight of bees, and concerned at their decline. I only grow flowers that are friendly to bees, in that they are single blooms and not doubles, so the bees can gather nectar from them, and also pollinate them.  Some more decorative flowers, with their development over the years, are no longer accessible to bees, so yield neither their nectar or pollen.  But to do this is not enough, I find, as so many plants are treated with an insecticide that is causing the death of an incredible number of bees.  Not so much by poisoning them, but disorienting them, so they no longer are able to return to their hives. And the most worrying thing is that it is so little known.
This should be of a concern to everyone, for ultimately, no bees and insects means no humans.
I do not know quite what form my actions will take, but a bee will now appear in my Green Donkey illustrations, alongside with the original green donkey, and blackbird pie funnels.
I will indeed keep you posted!


 Well, next week looks a little quieter, as I am only eating out twice.  Once in Southsea with the girls, and then more intimately with just Mr Cooper at Fat Olives in Emsworth, where I will celebrate getting even older than I already am!  I know I am getting old as when I last went to the library (it in itself an elderly thing to do) and opened my bag to find my card, the young assistant said 'Look, there it is' as if I was already deficient in simple recognition skills.  Well, if you are twenty-something, I am considered, as the young ones say, 'well old.'  Must remember to tell the girls all about it next week, when we are out, looking gorgeous and laughing as only girls in their fifties can!
Well, a week has passed since writing the above sentence, us girls went out the night before last, and indeed we all looked truly gorgeous and laughed a lot, but I did forget to tell them that particular story! Thanks Diane, as always, for your friendship and laughter, plus bed!

And now I must stop writing and start publishing, as it is to be my last blog written when I am 55, as tomorrow I will become really well-old. Happy Birthday too to nephew Jamie, who almost shares my birthday.  Something was posted to you today.
As well as commissions, meals and my new crusade, family and friends have formed a strong part of this blog.  I am so fortunate to have a truly lovely family, and also truly amazing friends.  Not too many, but the very best.  Here are a couple of photos, courtesy of Juliette, my super-duper friend and work colleague (united we stand, divided we fall.) Yesterday, Juliette gave me a 'bag of goodies' for my birthday, but also some blooms that are no longer good enough for The Greyhound, but are a long way from the bin!

So, if your week ahead cannot be filled with friends and family, just make a connection with them.  Why not pick up the phone (for a chat) or just send a card.
 Sometimes, the old ways really are the best.

It has been a long time since I wrote my last blog, far too long, in fact.  (Not long enough, I hear some of you cry, but I shall carry on regardless.)
At the beginning of September, being more than a little dismayed at still not having sold our house, me and Mr Cooper took positive action.  I turned our beautiful pink bedroom into a white one, re-painted and further de-cluttered the dining room then painted the stripey staircase and hallway white, and Mr Cooper went to Bristol to watch the Rovers win, and to drink beer and eat curry.

Then it was time to pack away the seagull bathroom, making it far less like a work of art,

 and more like an empty, blue, anonymous  bathroom. 

When the hallway was also changed from being its own little art exhibition, we removed all of my paintings and put them safely into my shed, which is now the only place that makes you realise an artist lives here. This was with the exception of The Flying Kittens, which was safely wrapped up, before beginning its journey to be with the three kitten's rightful owner, who now lives in Cambridge.

I have grown very fond of the flying kittens over the years, but it is lovely to know it has gone to its real home, which is a very kind, loving, and music-filled home.  (They don't need much feeding, Rowan, just words of admiration every so often.)

Mr Cooper pleased me greatly as we drove to Peterborough, not particularly with his fine driving skills, but by buying me lunch at one of our favourite pubs, the Stratton Arms in Turweston. Since drinking a pint of Sea Fury there, I have gone on to purchase it in its bottled form, for the occasional treat.  A good partner for it is a packet of salted, or salt and vinegar crisps.

We were going to Peterborough to celebrate Mum's 85th birthday, and her twin sister's too, then travelling upwards to spend a four-night stay in the Sherwood Forest Center Parcs.
Now, you must just imagine all the photos I could have taken over the coming 7 days, capturing happy family moments filled with smiling relatives.  You need to imagine them, as I don't often photograph people, apart from Mr Cooper.  Eighteen of us enjoyed ourselves with an early 85th birthday celebration for Mum and her twin sister Aunty Joan, at The Chequers in Gedney Dyke. I even baked and decorated a Mousie Mousie cake as a finale.  The one below was made for a previous celebration.  I think the birthday one looked even better, but sadly it was not photographed, along with everyone and everything else that week.

Then onto Sherwood forest, to spend a busy four days with Rachael, Ben and Henry, and Ben's lovely parents Dave and Julie, for our first ever visit to Center Parcs.
Although it was really lovely to spend holiday time with everyone, me and Mr Cooper did feel as if we had landed on the set of a science fiction film.  Lots of the actors seemed to be really getting into it, but we were more wandering around, wondering why we didn't quite 'get it'.  My advice for anyone intending to visit........takes loads of money, even if you do not intend to pay for any of the activities.
If you mean to enjoy a cheeky pint or two, be prepared to pay double!  Swimming and walking around are free, as long as it doesn't make you too hungry or thirsty... save those urges for when you are in your log cabin, tucked up with all the provisions that you have most sensibly brought with you.
Apart from swimming daily, I did manage to knit daily too, this time for young William, from Emsworth.

We helped ourselves gently back into the real world as we travelled home, by stopping for lunch again at the Stratton Arms.  Not only my sort of pub lunch, but my sort of photo too.  No people, just atmospheric glasses of beer, vibrant salty snacks, and rolls that are both inexpensive and delicious.

You may remember that a while back that I had drawn a picture for Nigel White, to help him secure a pitch for his Mission Tent, at the Great Dorset Steam Fair.  His bid was successful, partly thanks to the artwork, which helped the organisers get a visual picture of what Nigel was offering.

And here it the actual picture he sent me, from the Great Dorset Steam Fair.  Usually people draw from a photograph, but this time, the photograph seems to have taken its inspiration from the drawing!  Watch this space for further drawings as I am meeting Nigel tomorrow, with view to producing more illustrations for the second print run of his book, ' get Him out '.

I must admit that I have felt a little cast down of late, with regards as to the non- sale of our house.
 Me and Mr Cooper are in a not very pleasant limbo-land, whilst having to act as if everything is fine.
It was very sad to parcel-up the last seagull, and to place him in the box with all the others.  This one I especially love, as Sam bought it for me as a holiday 'thank you', for when we had a week in France, many years ago.

But what better thing to do when in the doldrums than to bake a cake, or two, and invite friends round to swap life stories and laughter, whilst eating ' coconut charmers' and 'yum-yums', both of which will be featuring in my forthcoming cookery book. (I am still working on the second significant illustration, this one for the Small Cakes chapter, which is where you will find the recipes for them.)

 It is very true the saying that as one door closes, another will open.  No sooner than I had wrapped my last seagull than Sarah and Gareth arrived to sample the above delights, and presented me with not only an eggcup that I haven't got, but also these fabulous Mexican 'Day of the Dead' mermaid earrings!  I just can't stop wearing them, thank you so much, both of you.

 And then, when I went to work on Tuesday, it was to be greeted by a large milk chocolate fish, a present from Sam, all the way from the Isle of Wight.  I think an evening spent eating this will definitely cheer me up from my temporary loss of seagulls.

And you never know, in my next blog I might be describing the seagull's new house, having had an offer for this one.  Or I might not, but there will be a new house for them sometime in the future.

Enjoy your next week ahead.  Be patient if you need to, and pro-active if that helps.

And more importantly, meet up with old friends to catch up, laugh, and to enjoy home-made cake.

See you all in the next week or two.

Here we are again, after another busy two weeks, this time with a lot of it having been spent creatively in the kitchen.  Happily, also with glimpses of beautiful countryside, a dash of culture, plus a little time having been spent creatively in the shed, hurrah!  This is commonly known as 'a holiday'.

Me and Mr Cooper kicked-off our holiday experience by hosting a dinner party.  Previous to that, I had left the hot and steamy kitchen full of young male chefs late on Thursday night, saying 'see you the week after next', to exchange it for another busy kitchen on Friday.  This one was not so hot and steamy, and I was promoted to actual chef, leaving me with Mr Cooper at the sinks at times.  I suppose he is still just younger than the combined age of three of my normal kitchen compatriots, but sadly not as quick on the chopping and washing front.

Saturday night saw us all feasting on slow-roasted leg of lamb, rosemary roast potatoes plus a selection of Persian salads.  As most people get even more excited by the dessert selection, I had factored this into my preparations, and we then enjoyed chocolate truffle torte, strawberries with raspberry puree and fresh cream meringues.  I do not mean that we chose what to eat from the above, we just ate it all!

Lots of fun was had, and it certainly set us up for the holiday week ahead!

My brother Mark and his youngest son Jem arrived on Tuesday morning, and after a light lunch, we sped away to the north of Petersfield, to show them both the two abandoned tractors that we had come across on our walks.  On the walk towards them, we paused whilst Jem enjoyed playing in an abandoned JCB. (We know how to have a good time, here in the country)

The sad news is that, although nothing is impossible, these two Masseys are very far gone.
So breathe a sigh of relief, Jayne, we are not expecting Philip to bring them to your farm for a restoration project!
Here are Jem, Mark and Mr Cooper looking very young and fresh before two tired tractors.  Not a good end at all for a pair of hard-working vehicles.

We then set off for a pint of beer to cheer us up, at the Pub With No Name, with me pausing only to do an 'art shot', because that is what I do.

We cheered ourselves up a little more when we got back by scooting down to 'The Travs' for a swift pint, before returning to enjoy a sausage feast. This was accompanied by another selection of salads, and also my son John.  He was not on the menu, but had come over to share in the festivities.

The next day saw us setting out fairly bright and early, to explore the delights of Selsey, a nearby seaside town.  Me and Mr Cooper are thinking of re-locating here, and we would love to meet anyone who doesn't look totally surprised and say 'Selsey???!!!' as if totally amazed, when we inform them of that fact.  Mark and Jem enjoyed the Selsey experience very much.  We looked around a house that me and Mr Cooper would like to move to,* then enjoyed a cafe fry-up, pausing on our drive back to wash it all down with a pint from 'The Crab and Lobster' at Sidlesham, one of my most favourite areas.  This is where me and Mr Cooper had our first wedding reception together.
The countryside here reminds me of the Fens, where I grew up, but with a lot more trees, the best of both worlds.

Later that day, we kept with the saltwater theme, and enjoyed a walk round the sea front in Nutbourne.  Such a beautiful walk, and only two fields away from the main road.  This walk helped us work on our appetite, as it was the night for an Indian takeaway for six, as both Sam and John were coming over (Sam much prefers an Indian takeaway to a sausage selection, particularly if it is from 'Memories of India,' just down the road from us at Bosham.)  And, if you are a member of the local gym, which we are, you get 15% discount on food from there.  A really good reason to attend classes, use the gym regularly and go swimming, between lashings of dhal and Peshwari naans.

On Thursday we had a day of culture and education, as we visited Fishbourne Roman Palace.  After our 3 hour visit, we really had learnt a lot, particularly as we had joined in with the guided tour.  And as is usual with learning more, we also realised that there was so much that we didn't know, mainly about Roman history!  It also struck me that it had been a while since I had visited what is sometimes described as a 'place of interest'.  It certainly also gave us lots to talk about, both during pre-dinner drinks down at 'The Travs', but also during that night's festive fare, a Shanghai Steamboat.  This was followed by poached apples topped with caramel shards, the apples being from Marks' own apple tree.

Early next morning saw me saying goodbye to Mark and Jem, and heading off to Midhurst with 10 paintings, which were destined for the walls of 'The Olive and Vine' where I was joining in with the annual Madhurst celebration of music and the arts.  Above are my two picnic paintings, 'Celestial Picnic' and 'Terrestrial Picnic' and in the picture below, Fluffy really does seem to be in heaven in the final one of the triptych, 'Fluffy Goes To Heaven'.

As I was busy that morning being an artist, Mr Cooper was assuming his very important role as 'Grandolph' as Rachael, Ben and young Henry came to stay for the weekend.

Here is Mr Cooper taking his role very seriously....

.....and perhaps now looking even more surprised than Henry at the height of the tower.

Here is one where they both look lovely, but one of them is looking on especially lovingly.

The next couple of days revolved around a couple of walks to The Travs, making sure Henry had a sufficient nap in the middle of the day, doing some much-needed garden maintenance, and roasting gunard one night, then creating a more classy dish the next  of 'poulet saute au vinaigre'.  Mr Cooper really loved that one, as he told me during the meal most effusively.  This also could be due to the fact that he had followed his couple of pints by a large gin, before quenching his thirst with some white wine.  Luckily, the second appearance of the chocolate truffle torte pleased everyone else around the table.

Sunday came all too soon, which meant we waved goodbye to Rachael, Ben and Henry, then got the fondue set out of hibernation, ready for Molly and Sam, later that evening.  As well as grating copious amounts of cheese, I made a classic old school dessert, treacle tart, ensuring butter and lard were used in the making of the pastry.

I had forgotten what fun it was to have a cheese fondue, especially with Molly and Sam, not forgetting Mr Cooper too.  The only disappointment was that the fondue wasn't large enough, but a game of 'Cards Against Humanity' soon put smiles back on our faces. (Especially mine, as I won!)

Another good result from this week of gaiety was that the first illustration for the cookery book was completed.  Here it is, hot off the paint brush.  And, wonder of wonders, the next one has already been started.  I have just got to get the idea for the third, now.

 Anyway, I hope you have lots of ideas if you need them, and not too many if you don't.  Plus, if you have a house for sale, I hope you have a stream of viewers.  If, like me, you are feeling a little sad and frustrated, just remember that Mercury is in retrograde at the moment, until the 3rd September, so just keep plodding on, and smiling!
Till then, don't plod too heavily, and do try to smile brightly!

* All sadly theoretical at the moment, as we still have a house to sell!

Welcome to this week's blog, featuring many wonderful artistic creations, several of which I have had a hand in.  I think this creative exuberance is a result of me and Mr Cooper having enjoyed a short 'two centre' break. This has left me feeling mentally refreshed, although perhaps a little jaded in the physical refreshment stakes.
 In order to secure the free time for an extra long weekend, I had to work in the kitchen for two consecutive days.  'Big deal', I hear some of you hard-workers out there cry.  Well it is, and it isn't, of course.  It gets it over and done with, but a 15 hour day away from home, twelve of which are spent hard at work at the sinks,  means getting home at midnight still buzzing , then having to unwind and then try to sleep to be up again at 6 for a repeat performance.  Especially demanding for those of us best described as 'young at heart!'
On the day before departure, I was found in my afternoon break in the Coffee Lab in Stockbridge https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g503843-d12229457-Reviews-Coffee_Lab-Stockbridge_Hampshire_England.html having a chat with Sam over a necessary pick-me-up of a large mocha with a peanut butter brownie to share.  As I am so at the cutting edge of sharing visual images, I am sure you can appreciate this photo which is showing Sam having taken a photo of me having taken a photo.  He is 'sending it on' in many wonderful ways, with distortions and sound no less, and I am just adding mine to my blog.  

Me and Mr Cooper were setting off on Thursday morning for a long weekend in Suffolk, via a stop-over in Canvey Island.  I was looking forward to this, as it was part of my quest to visit the strange outposts on the coastlines of the UK, and Mr Cooper was my reluctant partner.  He thought Canvey Island would prove to be 'not very nice,' or something like that, so I treated us both to a night's stay in the only hotel there, 'The Oysterfleet'.  http://www.oysterfleethotel.com/
We arrived at around three, checked in, and set off to explore.

Here is an image that brings together a lot of the elements we found there, in this atmospheric view of the virtually empty fun-fair....

....and here is Mr Cooper bravely smiling whilst managing to look more startled than happy.
When I first met Mr Cooper I had to camp with him a lot in Mendip, in a field with a disgusting toilet shed and no washing facilities.  Now, he no longer camps, and avidly reads 'trip advisor' and hence wanted to avoid 'the Oyster Fleet', (and Canvey Island, I have to add) as someone on Trip Advisor had found cobwebs in their room!  When did that pioneering spirit evaporate from his life?

We wandered around the fair for a little while, admiring some of the rides.  Here is a photo especially for Sam, and for other fans of the early Mighty Boosh.  We all know what to do when you find a swan, don't we, fellow fanatics?  Right on it!*

We left the seafront and the fair, and passed the welcoming large fly sculpture on our return to the hotel.  The staff were the friendliest and most helpful of anywhere I have stayed before, and we spent a bizarrely enjoyable night there.  We dined in the posh restaurant (posh for Canvey Island) and I was able to whet my appetite for dinner in a most unusual way.  We had a pre-dinner drink in the busy bar, and when I popped to the loo, I found the dinner menu framed and feature inside the cubicle, on the back of the loo door.  Not only did I return to Mr Cooper refreshed, but I amazed him by already knowing the menu!

The next day we sped to Suffolk, to spend  three nights with our friends Susie and Werner in Saxstead.  Mr Cooper was feeling happier about this, for they have a very lovely and clean home, and he had brought his slippers with him. We were there primarily to help prepare for a large luncheon party on the Sunday, but managed to include a quick visit to Walberswick, which was well worth a visit, being extremely picturesque. You will have to imagine that as the only photo I took from there was of this pair of sunglasses I bought for Juliette, from one of the many truly tempting gift shops.
We also enjoyed a brief visit to Framlingham, again another lovely place, where gifts were also purchased, this time for Sam and his lovely girlfriend Molly, but you will just have to take my word for all that and feast your eyes on pink flamingos and the faded glories of Canvey Island for your visual entertainments from our travels.

On Monday we left early to head towards Winchester, as it was Trinity's summer art exhibition, and I was to be wearing an artistic headpiece made by one of the group.  I was also wearing my 'flying picnic' outfit, as the starting point for a major part of this exhibition had been the theme of food.
Although the traffic was heavy, and accidents abounded, we got there in time to help set-up.
Here is the garden totem pole, which has been constructed to also be an insect hotel.  I think the Minion looks brilliant, and not just because I helped to create that section! (Well, just a bit.)

The food prepared really reflected the theme, with the emphasis on fruit.  Look closely at this brilliant fruit basket, and notice the banana that is in fact a yellow dolphin.

Nestled to the right of the pineapple, in amongst the leaves, are lots of edible ladybirds.  When all was prepared, we looked at the tables laden with food and thought there was far too much, but at the end of our very successful and well supported exhibition we were clearing away just empty plates.

During the exhibition I had become a walking artwork, my crowning glory being a mainly knitted fascinator.  One of the women's group had made 3 items of headgear which symbolised how women are viewed and treated by some men.  The first hat was a jaunty number, but on closer inspection was 'a piece of meat'.  The creator of the three was sporting an eyecatching fascinator, which was a beautifully knitted but extremely phallic banana, and here I am showing off my 'nice pear!'

And here I am again still sporting a nice pear, but also giving a glimpse of my 'flying picnic outfit.  It also looks like I am showing what happens to the size of your bum if you eat too many picnic components on a regular basis!

Leaving exhibitions behind, and also my behind behind, and visiting now my productive shed.  In my last blog I was happy to show you the idea for my first significant illustration for the Green Donkey cookery book.

And here, after many productive hours, kindly assisted by Radio 4, I am happy to show you an almost completed image.  I have been having fun with paint and collage, and now need only to add a couple of flying blackbird pie-funnels (what else?) as well as some green donkeys to change my vibrant pink walls into an amazing wallpaper design.
Hopefully this will be completed and on view in my next blog, if there has been enough artistic time for me to include the above.  I have been getting up stupid early at the weekends too, to put in sufficient 'shed time'.

I hope you have an enjoyable weekend where you are able to do the things you enjoy, and only have to get up 'stupid early' if you really want to.  If the sun shines, why not have a picnic?  But just remember, eat responsibly, and aim to exercise at least three times a week.  One exercise could be walking to your local, another strenuous arm exercise I enjoy is opening a bottle of champagne!
Have fun and be kind to yourself and others.
Looking forward to seeing you all again soon.

* This will mean nothing if you did not watch The Mighty Boosh, so don't worry.