Being a busy person, and having many different meaningful activities each week, I make a lot of lists.  Looking at my today list of 'things to do,' a lot of the bigger events are nearly over, meaning that writing my book is rising steadily to the top of the list!  Well, let's continue to focus on those things that are stopping me starting, a lot easier than actually starting.

The first of the major events that has taken up a lot of my time was the Annual South Downs Walk.  Not just the 9 days of the actual walk, but also all the training walks beforehand.

I was fully expecting to be walking this year on my own, as Mr Cooper was adamant that he was not going to do it again.  In fact, just to make sure, he had taken himself away to the Lake District with his chums, one of whom had walked with us last year, returning home just after the start of the walk.

It was a lovely surprise to realise that Dawn, John's exceptional yoga teacher ( and saxophonist as well as many other things) was walking on her own too, so we joined forces and walked together.

Here we are looking happy, if a little apprehensive, at the beginning.

The English landscape is incredibly beautiful, and last year I saw parts of England that I had never seen before.  Although the Seven Sisters are a taxing start to the walk, their beauty more than makes up for that. (This is very easy to write about a couple of weeks later, I probably wouldn't have scribed this straight after the end of day one.) This picture is a little deceptive....it was so windy that if we had stumbled going downhill, the wind would have flattened us back onto the steep slope, we were in no danger of falling forwards, apart from perhaps over the actual cliffs.  So the first part was spent fighting the headlong gale-force winds, and making sure we were not too near the edge.  It was a relief to reach the end of the Seven Sisters, and turn inland into gentler weather conditions.

Each day brought its own highlights, and memorable sights.  It was great to see the marker for the Meridian line, but a trifle bizarre that such an important and much-photoed landmark had a huge manure heap behind it, a lot higher than the hedge,providing a really picturesque element to the composition.  It's a good job that this photo does not provide the smells too.

Not all of the memorable sights were to be found in nature.  At the end of the walk on day four, having completed 49 miles, this was a memorable sight that impressed us both, in the garden of the Frankland Arms, in the incredibly pretty village of Washington.
There is no better drink, after walking many miles, than a pint of beer (or cider, in Dawn's case)

The next day provided us with another very welcome drink.  This refreshment stop marked the halfway point for the whole walk, and lemon squash at that moment was the best drink ever, teamed with a fig roll biscuit.  It is the simple pleasures of life that bring a smile, and add a spring to our step.

All in all, it was a much more pleasurable experience this year.  As I had done it before, I knew what it felt like to walk continuously for 9 days, and had made sure to do a lot more regular walking (including lots of uphill) beforehand.  We both knew it would be a long, hard slog, and Dawn and I just settled into a rhythm, and got on with it.  And we talked about many things, topics ranging from our schooldays, to life after death, and almost everything in between.  That really made the miles pass by extremely pleasantly.  Thanks for that, Dawn.  In fact David Bowie came to help too; talking animatedly about him as we scaled the last steep hill on our way towards Devil's Dyke made the experience almost pleasurable (and thanks to you too, David.)

Another worry for the long distance walker (I can say that now that I have repeated the experience!) is the wear and tear to the feet, and the fear of blisters.  Last year, my oldish boots cracked, were a little too tight, and my waterproof coat of the same age gave up being waterproof.  This year I set out armed with new boots and coat, plus Compeed plasters and suncream. Here I am, applying a precautionary plaster just after Cheesefoot Head outside Winchester, only 3 miles from the very end.
Yes, it is really me, under that hat.  You are not so worried about your appearance whilst walking, a fact that had been noticed by one of the leaders.  And my blue bag full of essentials really did weigh between 4-5 kilos each day, one essential being plenty of water, which is really heavy. The last two days turned out to be very hot and sunny, ideal for nearing the end of the walk, but thanks goodness we didn't have 9 full days of it.

It was really exciting to reach Winchester, but also more than a little sad.  We didn't want the walk to end (a very different feeling from that of the previous year) and I didn't really want to return to what is called 'normal life'.  Walking for a long time really gives you a lot of space in which to think about your own life.  To slow the pace of your own life down for 9 days is a remarkably meditative and
head-clearing sort of thing to do.
But here I am, happy to have reached the end and achieved my goal.

But not as happy as when we were able  to get into the air-conditioned toilets at the Guildhall and to change from our walking gear into dresses, release our hair from its confines, and even apply a little light makeup.
One of the walk leaders told me that I looked so very different,  (what sort of sad sight had I been for the last 9 days) and that I 'scrubbed up really well'.
I will drink to that, and seriously think about repeating the experience next year.
But looking at this photo, I might have to do more a lot more work on my arms before then!

But after all, who doesn't like a colourful certificate?

Before I started the walk, I had visions of myself returning home to do a little artwork in the evenings.  What I did do most evenings was have a bath, eat a meal, get my packed lunch ready and then try really hard to stay awake until 10, before happily going to bed.
It wasn't until after the walk that I was able to continue with my significant artwork.
The studio room is now complete, as is the bedroom.  Out of consideration for my children, and non-arty friends, I am not showing you that room.  You can come round and see it, if you so desire.
You would be very welcome, and I will also make a cake if given enough advance warning.

And now, with the deadline only days away, I must complete the last two rooms, one of which will be the hardest for me to do.  That I will show you in my next blog.  Then, when all has been entered for the National Open Art competition, there are no more major obstacles to me starting my book.  The last obstacle being that I actually do need to start it, instead of thinking about starting it.  Does that sound familiar, all you writers and artist out there?
So I am off to swap the office for my shed, and aim to complete the last two rooms before teatime.

Why don't you aim to complete a task this week, that you have been putting off for too long?  Usually the thoughts of it are much worse than the doing of it.
 Then you will be one step nearer to doing what you know you should be doing, if it weren't for the fact that you've got too much other stuff to do.
Looking forward to seeing you all again in a week or so's time.
 Don't forget to have a little fun as well, or a lot, if you have manged to clear your list of boring jobs.
Or, keep your list the same length, and re-define 'boring'.

'How are you getting on, writingyour cookery book?' I hear you say.  Indeed, it is a question that I often ask myself. Well, I can tell you why I am not able to write it, just at this moment.
The last three weeks have been full of many different activities.  In some of them, me and Mr Cooper behave like other people, and in others, we revert to type.  You had better read on!
 Last year I completed the South Downs Way Annual Walk with Mr Cooper and two friends.  Having said soon afterwards that I would never repeat the experience ( a bit like giving birth) a statement which was heard by Juliette, I find myself in training for doing it all over again this year, but on my own this time.  And it starts tomorrow!

As well as walking on a very regular basis ( I could be writing the cookery book instead......) I have been working on this year's significant artwork.  Each year I submit an entry for the Jerwood Drawing Prize, and also the National Open Art competition.  This year I want to combine dolls house imagery with cut-out paper dolls clothes to create a work based on some facets of my own identity.  Sounds very 'arty' doesn't it?  Well, that is what I do.
Here are the early structures taking place.

 Both my children do not see why I sometimes wear ridiculous-looking clothes and walk for hours in the countryside (it does sound a bit bonkers, put like that) but Sam has a kind heart, and said he would accompany me on one the regular walks I do on a Tuesday and Thursday, in my break at the Greyhound.  On those days, I put on my boots, set off for Danebury Ring, and walk around the fields, climbing up to the top, and then back down, for about an hour.
Sam used to walk there with me when he was small, but so long ago now that he can't remember.  Having him with me was a mixed blessing, as I had to shorten the uphill bits to accomodate the fitness levels of my youngest son.  He was very pleased to reach the top and see the views, before having a cigarette whilst I pointed out the names of the crops in the fields, and how to identify them.  Isn't it strange that I usually walk alone?

 In fact, the first part of the dolls house drawing was of me, ready to walk alone.

 Me and Mr Cooper have been striding out regularly too, as he was getting ready for a week in the Lake District with his best friends.  But over the Bank Holiday weekend, we did behave like normal people, and hugely enjoyed a day at Goodwood races on Saturday with four friends, followed by a BBQ on Sunday in Bognor Regis, with another two friends.  We took the train to Bognor and arrived a little early so we spent half an hour acting like normal people and had tea and toast in a cafe, instead of beer and crisps in a pub.  After that lovely weekend where we also included a couple of longish walks on Friday and Monday, we then behaved more like me and Mr Cooper.  He left to go for his annual break with friends, and I stayed to have my annual break with just me, dividing my time between walking on my own, completing more art work, and working at The Greyhound.  I must add here that I did spend a very enjoyable Friday with Diane and Rio.  It was a day of firsts for Rio as he a) experienced the countryside,  b) saw cows for the first time,  and c) went on his first train ride. 
Not bad for a West Highland puppy who lives in Southsea.

At the weekend, I re-visited two of my favourite Hanger walks, one of which has a really sad element to it, as you have to walk by these two tractors left to rust and decay.  I have plans to take brother Mark and nephew Jem to see them ( and perhaps Philip and Jayne too) to start a rescue campaign.
Philip and Jayne, you have been warned!

I was also happy to complete, on Saturday, my kitchen scene for the artwork and to start the planning for the next room, which is to be the office.  A room where I am sitting now, both writing this, and sometimes staring out of the window!  The knife in my hand denotes the fact that I am also cooking, and not that I have any murderous tendencies towards Sam.  His walk with me has certainly done him good, as he appears a lot thinner!

 As I write this, the timer is ticking away next to me, as flapjacks are baking in the oven.  I have given you before the recipe for the best flapjacks ever, from the Camping Cookbook by Annie Bell.  Today I am baking sustaining cakes as the walk starts for real tomorrow.  When the flapjacks are done, I will be making from the same book, for the first time, the twice baked banana cake.  At the end of this blog, the writing of which is interspersed with a Chichester shopping trip, some floor washing and furniture polish (house viewing on Saturday morning) and cake making, I will let you know how the cake tastes, and if it is one for you to try or not.

Sunday was another successful day in my art shed.  I completed the office room, and started the roughs for the next room.  In fact, if there is a spare hour or so towards the end of this day, I want to start drawing the finished picture, which is of the dining room.

 On my Sunday walk I chose another of my favourites, which starts in Selbourne, and incorporates Noar Hill at the end of it.  Selbourne is, to me, a magical place, and Noar Hill is such a wonderful area.  As is so often the case, I was walking for about 3 hours through the most amazing countryside, and didn't meet a soul until I reached Noar Hill.  On the final climb towards it, I saw a wild rose petal lying on the ground, and I took this picture to show Mr Cooper, who was and is many miles away.  They were scattered all around, and made the most beautiful confetti, the only sad part was that in so doing, they had been shed, and discarded.  Transient beauty.

I do know that Bill Bryson thinks that Noar Hill is a spectacular place too, in fact he has thought so for way longer than me, as it a recent discovery for both me and Mr Cooper.  As I walked towards it on sunday, I had a quite delightful imaginary conversation with Mr Bryson in my head, in which we sit next to each other on the bench and start to chat.  I share my piece of flapjack with him, and we go on to find many common points of interest amidst much laughter.  I happily accept his invitation to join him and his wife for Sunday roast that evening.
Oh well, it wasn't all disappointing.  Look at the view from where I ate my piece of flapjack (at least I didn't have to share it) and I did have a roast of sorts that night.

Well, shopping is completed and floors brushed if not washed.  No time for drawing sadly, but there was time to try a slice of cake.  If you love bananas and marzipan, this one is a winner.  It is moist and very fully flavoured, just right to eat out of doors. 
I hope to be with you soon, after my nine days out of doors, sustained by cakes and conversations with strangers who may turn into friends.
I hope the next two weeks find you also sharing chance encounters that involve cake, indoors or outdoors.  If you meet Bill Bryson on Noar Hill you can share your banana cake with him, but do let him know I am looking forward to meeting him up there one day, with or without flapjack.
Looking forward to seeing you all soon. 
I will let you know whether 'never again' are words I should have taken more notice of. 

This week I am sharing with you two books, two beautiful walks, and two very welcome 'bunches' to help celebrate me and Mr Cooper's 7th wedding anniversary.
 Yes, time does fly, and yes, we are still very happily married.  I said to Mr Cooper the other day that we were very lucky to have found each other, not least because not many other people would have been able to put up with either of us long term.
 Being together has indeed been/still is a voyage of discovery.

Back to the blog, and onto the first book.
In a month's time, I will hopefully be on day 5 of the annual South Downs walk.  That will be quite a significant day, as I will then be over half-way through the 9 days walk.
As a consequence of this event getting realistically close, I have had to increase my training (yes, I have actually been training at least twice a week, and not just perfecting my packed lunch repertoire)
So me and Mr Cooper have been working our way through this book.  Walking hangers* involves doing lots of steep 'ups' which I sadly need to do a lot of.  I say 'sadly' as it is hard work, something that is in our nature to try to avoid!  But, no pain, no gain.........

Walk one was titled 'Steep and Ashford Hanger' (Steep being a village, and not in that case an adjective, although it was really steep too) and when we were halfway up the first arduous ascent  it was to find this monument to a local poet, Edward Thomas.  He drew his inspiration from this area, before being killed in the First World War, in 1917.

I found the words on his memorial to be very moving, and timeless.

And I rose up and knew 

that I was tired 

and continued my journey

Whether it is our own personal journey through a difficult part of life, or indeed a demanding, physical journey, you have to, at times,  just keep buggering on.  

Even more valid if you were a poet fighting in World War One.

Each time we go walking, Mr Cooper asks me to identify wild flowers.  Sometimes I can, but this one I couldn't, although we both agreed it was purple.  I am going to get round to looking it up (in a wildflower book, of course, of which we have several) but if you know what it is, by all means get in touch, and tell me, to save me that bit of effort (see what I mean about being fundamentally lazy.)

What with walking, and painting away in my shed, annoyingly, paid work just gets in the way.  Sometimes Juliette brightens my working day with some flowers that were destined for the bin, but this time, son John gave me a present to add to my collection of seagulls. 
Thanks John, it is indeed as you described it, as 'a nice one'.

Happily leaving work once more behind, and putting on my walking boots again, me and Mr Cooper set out in search of more steep slopes. I do like, on an aesthetic note, the link of the yellows in these two photos.  Schwepps Tonic Water  and a field of oilseed rape sharing the same vibrant yellow.
This circular walk above Stoughton is a favourite of ours, which we know as the Polish Airman's walk.

I must be getting quite reflective in my mid fifties.  Each time when we pause to read about the death of a young Polish pilot, killed whilst fighting for Britain, I do think that a lot of people should also be more reflective about their life, and that of their neighbours.  Perhaps aiming to take out a portion of prejudice/ignorance from their lives, and to replace it with some kindness.

Well, we have now covered one book, two walks, and two reflections.
 Let's find out more about two exciting 'bunches'.
Me and Mr Cooper had to decide what to do to celebrate our 7 years of undiluted happiness.
' You can do whatever you want',  Mr Cooper told me, flinging his arms wide to show me just generous this statement was.  When I told him what I would like to do, it was deemed to be 'too expensive'.  Here followed a lengthy discussion about the actual meaning of the words 'anything you want', and also whether 'within reason' should have been included as part of the statement.
When peace and love had been restored, we decided to have an enjoyable day on a low budget.
This day would also incorporate yet another walk, but this one ending up in an Indian Restaurant (yummy) where you had to take your own booze (even better.)

Juliette presented me on the day before, with an amazing anniversary gift, almost all of it pictured here, designed to go with curry!  (We ate the cashews and mints almost immediately, another trait that makes us so compatible)
Thanks Juliette and Col, we love our 'bunch of beers'......

......and Mr Cooper made the treat complete the next day, by adding a beautiful bunch of flowers.

We had a very successful walk, which did manage to also incorporate two pubs, as well as the Indian restaurant (well, it was a special day). I still think that I would get as much enjoyment from an Indian meal by drinking Cobra, eating poppadoms and their accompaniments, and just reading the menu.  The food was delicious, but I was too full to eat it all.  Another reason why me and Mr Cooper are so blissfully compatible..... he can eat for England, especially if he is paying for the food (or if it is a free buffet, or a Sunday roast, or dinner round friends......)

Keeping on the food theme.  My painting of Millie and Bertie is now complete, and awaiting collection.  And yesterday, Jan was coming over for tea, and collect it, and Di was coming over for lunch, and much laughter.
So time to shake the dust from a childhood cookery book,  'My Fun To Cook Book' by Ursula Sedgwick, which I got for Christmas in 1969, and have loved ever since.

I share with you the recipe for "Topsy Turvy Cakes'.  If you want a teatime treat, and love glace cherries and a burst of sweetness, do not hesitate to make these!

Bringing you now to my last picture for this blog, here is the completed painting of Millie and Bertie.
This was a commission that I got so much pleasure from, especially as I was so fond of Millie ( and still am, of Bertie, and looking forward to meeting his new playmate Billy)
And what made all the thought and hard work worthwhile was that Janeese loved it.
As I said to Mr Cooper later that day, the best sort of commission ever.

So, until we meet again, just keep on with your journeys through life.  If you keep travelling, the scenery will change.  If you put in the extra effort to climb the hill, the views will make it worthwhile.
Why not make a cake this week, and invite a friend to share the treat? 
And, try to be kind.  It is not always easy, but neither is life.
Looking forward to seeing you all very soon.

I am now firmly back in the old routine, travel to foreign lands now being a thing of the past, and working very much a thing of the present.  It's a good job I have a friend like Juliette, who always livens my washing-up workplace, and on this occasion, beautifies my corner of the kitchen too.

As well as working for actual money, Monday continues to be my 'volunteer day'.  Monday morning is spent leading the 2 hour craft session at  'Andover Mind'.  Our first project there is nearing completion now, with some people finishing their papier mache bowls and picture frames.
This one below went on to be gilded inside and on its raised decorations too.  Wonderful things can be made with balloons, newspapers, paste and plasticine.
Monday afternoons continue to find me working as a volunteer at 'Trinity' in Winchester, for the Women's Service there, where I am part of their art group from 2pm-4pm.  It is a lovely way to start the week, with a day of creativity.

Whilst dining the other week at the Bluebell in Helpston (very delicious, excellent service too)
https://www.bluebellhelpston.co.uk/ I was captivated by the decorations on a house nearby.  Mr Cooper loved to see the golliwog in an upstairs window, but I was most taken by the mosaic decoration on the front of the house, which also included a ceramic crawling baby!
I am so looking forward to having a new house to play with, some time in the future.

As well as having a delicious time at the above Bluebell in Helpston, I had such a good time at another Bluebell, this time in Glinton.  http://www.thebluebellglinton.co.uk/  No food involved, but lots of chats and laughter as I caught up with my best friend from County Grammar, Deborah Ellerby that was.  As we swapped stories, we did both agree that life in 2A had not prepared us terribly well for all our life-adventures to come! Perhaps we ended up having more adventures than we had first intended!  Thank you for so much for such a lovely evening, Deborah, and I look forward very much to our next one.  Perhaps next time we might include Mr Hunt and Mr Cooper?

Talking of Mr Cooper,  earlier this month we sped to Leeds, to attend Henry's first birthday party.
 Henry wasn't too well on the day, which is probably why he is looking as if he had never seen 'Grandalph' before.

Luckily the toddler medication kicked in, and it wasn't long before Henry was entering in to the spirit of things.  Mr Cooper stuck mainly to beer, and entered into the 'spirit of things' when it was dark.

Our house remains for sale.  I did wonder whether to make it even more attractive by doing some gardening, but then I thought that spring had stepped in, and sorted everything out rather neatly.
  All you have to do is focus on the flowers, and not on the weeds in between.
 Perhaps Treagust could include that piece of advice in their brochure?

As well as enjoying the Spring flowers, it is always lovely to open post that is life-affirming, and not a bill.  Here is my niece Olivia's wedding invitation.  She is marrying Jon on the 13th July in Glasgow.  I would imagine their wedding will be every bit as funky as the invitation.  Luckily I have a suitably funky purple and silver outfit to hand, last worn on The Falklands.

As well as volunteering, and washing up (all be it for a very select establishment) I have been spending as much time as possible on a couple of commissions.  Today I have been painting Frida Kahlo and a monkey, as a picture as part of a larger painting, and last week I was painting beach huts and roses as designs for the wallpaper for the same painting.
I look forward very much to being able to show you the finished painting, but not before it has been seen by its future owner, my fabulous friend, Jan Norman.

Wallpaper designs.

It is a treat to work on a picture that includes Frida as part of it.  Soon I am going to paint some Ranunculas, and a couple of small teddy bears to add to it, as well as adding jewels to the crucifix.
Life as an artist is sometimes hard work, but never dull!  Painting Frida did remind me it was time for my 3-weekly eyebrow session at Tanique in Westbourne.  Thanks to the team there, I have never been mistaken for Frida.  https://www.facebook.com/Hair-and-Beauty-at-Tanique-527716203947570/

If you have a little dullness in your life, particularly in the kitchen department, put a stop to it right away by buying the book below.  A little while back, another fabulous friend made a fantastic feast for the ex-bookclub members.  I hadn't feasted so well, and with such enjoyment, for a very long time, and I bought the recipe book the following day.  So many thanks Diane, for a double delight.
So far, I have only got as far as reading it, from cover to cover, which is almost as delicious as eating the results.

Another book I am looking forward to reading from cover to cover arrived through the post today.  This is a very personal book for me.  I have known the author for a great many years, and got to know him very well.  I finished the illustrations for the book not long ago, another commission that I really enjoyed.  The book is called 'get Him out', by Nigel White.

I completed 12 illustrations for this book, and here is one I particularly enjoyed doing.

Only one of the illustrations gave me a clue to the contents of this book.  I drew a cheerful goat, discarded clothes, laptops plus fluffy balls and many others.
Here is a brief description from the front of the book.

'a soldier…a Doctor…a Linguist…an Empath

John Forbes and Peter White have assembled a team of specialists.  They are going to send their team back two thousand years…to rescue the most famous man that ever lived.

They are going to rescue Jesus of Nazareth from the crucifixion.'

I will let you know all about in in my next blog, when I have read it .  Not only all about it, but where to get your copy from.
In the meantime, I must just find a picture of a ranunculus, plus print off a picture of an elderly dog called Millie.

So do make sure that you are keeping dullness at bay in the week ahead.  Be adventurous in the kitchen, that would be a good place to start.  (Or pop round here one evening, and share some culinary adventures from 'Persiana)  Then follow that up with some wardrobe excitements.  Yes, you can plan to just  hide inside one, then jump out, but choosing a bright, possibly outrageous outfit is more what I have in mind.)
 I am just off to continue with my artistic adventures in the shed, where I am working alongside my old friend, Radio 4.  If you are a 55 year old artist, life does not get much better than that (and it suited me just fine too, when I was  a 25 year-old artist.)

Today we travel backwards one more time, then end up firmly in the present day.
This will find me in the same house (no buyers as yet) looking out at a spring day (overcast) but also at nesting starlings and my beloved shed, which houses several exciting projects.
 It may be grey in the sky, but the sun is indeed shining inside my shed.

When me and Mr Cooper used to travel more, we always made a point of taking a 'view from the bedroom window' photo.  Here is our bedroom window view in Havana, on the ninth floor of the Hotel Deauville, looking out over New Havana.  We were just a couple of blocks away from old Havana, and just a roadway away from the Caribbean.

This one looks a little more picturesque, doesn't it?  Mr Cooper thought I was quite brave to venture onto the balcony, as, like quite a lot of things about the hotel, it looked in need of repair.
 

Each day, after a most enjoyable breakfast (all the more so, as we always had to wait for it ) we set forth to Old Havana, which meant leaving the hotel and turning our backs firmly on New Havana.
Our chosen mode of transport was 'on foot', and daily we walked for hours.  Sometimes I looked at the bicycle taxis, and felt so sorry for the driver as they had to transport  overweight (usually) tourists in the heat of the day.  It was good to see these taxis able to have a rest between fares.

I would gladly return to Havana, and this time with many more memory sticks for my camera.
The colours seen on the streets were always incredible, and always changing.
One moment you would be in raptures about a pink scene,

and the next, you would be bathed in green.

And below, don't look at the chaos, but rather at the two areas of blue, and the two of red.
That is the good thing about being an artist, rubbish disappears as colours appear.

In the guide book what we read on the plane, we were informed that not many roads were lit at night, although they were safe to be in.  The roads around our hotel were definitely dark at night.  The only danger we came across were huge holes where drain covers had vanished, and holes where sometimes portions of the pavements had disappeared.
When we were in the more up-together parts of Havana, we realised that there were places where the street lights just got together at night to 'hang out'.

Each day we existed on a diet of culture ( amazingly good museums and art galleries, especially the Museum of Cuban Art) rum cocktails, and incredibly good food.
When we first got there and viewed our surroundings, we were a little anxious that the food would be a reflection of what we saw.  How wrong we were!
Wherever we ate, sometimes the facade was crumbling, and at times we had to avoid piles of discarded chicken's feet in the gutter on our way there, but once inside, we were in another world.
A main meal was the equivalent of five pounds sterling. This would be meat or fish, with rice and beans, plantains in many guises, salads and vegetables.  After our food in The Falklands, where vegetables were an expensive rarity, this suited us down to the ground.
And in between these culinary feasts, we walked everywhere, taking in the beautiful views.

On our last day, we ended up in the most touristy regions, where the facades were repaired, the sun was shining and the food was three times the price.  I preferred to wander away from this after a while, to where there were no 'pretty pictures', but rather glimpses of the living Havana.
Colour everywhere, a mixture of  dwellings next to dereliction and splendour scattered throughout.

I would gladly return, just to wallow in that glorious mix of past and present, rum and beer, rice and beans and always, always music.
This is where the Cuban photos stop, but do give me a call if you have an urge to see the rest.
Come round on a sunny day, and we can sit outside and enjoy a Ron Collins as we view them.

Then after that I can drag you into my shed, and bore you silly as I show you my current painting, and talk about all the ideas I have.  Perhaps I need to give you more than one Ron Collins, so you are more 'pliable' to this.

 So what is going on in my shed?
Last week, I completed a series of 12 illustrations for Nigel White, for his book which should be published around Easter time.  It was a very enjoyable commission, and I spent many a happy hour drawing smug-looking goats, and cheerful Guinea pigs.  I will show you these, but after the publication of the book.

You may remember that I completed another commission from Nigel, not too long ago.  This drawing was instrumental in getting the Mission Tent accepted as part of this year's Great Dorset Steam Fair. Exciting times ahead for Nigel and his team.   http://www.missiontent.co.uk/

 Knitted creations have also been produced.  Henry is a year old this week, and when we go to see him, I will give him a smart jacket and hat.

Beatrice is a long way from being one, and knitting for her does not take so much time, or wool!
 As I now possess all Mum's button collection, each time I a garment, I see if I have suitable buttons before going to the shop.  I did find 5 shiny metal buttons for Henry's outfit, but he needed 6.

 But Beatrice was luckier, and I found the last two remaining buttons on this button card.
There are not many babies today whose outfits include buttons that were 'Empire made!'

My latest painting is a very exciting commission, and includes Frida Kahlo and her monkey.......

Millie and Bertie.......

As well as flowers, Crucifixes, beach huts and teddies.  Plus I to listen to Radio 4 whilst combining these elements.  Being an artist is not always easy.  It is frustrating at times, and extremely lonely.

When you are not able to paint and create, it is hard too.  But there are times when it is truly enjoyable, which help to make up for the rest!

So, if I manage to get you in my shed, softened by the application of a few Ron Collins, I can also tell you all about this year's significant drawing.  This will include a dolls house and paper dolls, many changes of paper clothing, and a range of accessories....I can't wait to explain this in detail to someone, I think Mr Cooper would be pleased too, if I find a fresh victim!

Now I am once again tuned in to Radio 4, I will leave you with a radio snippet which struck a cord with me.  So much so that it has become the 'thought' for this blog.

'Try to spend at least a decade of your life wearing just what you want to.'  This does get easy as you get older, and today I gleefully added rainbow laces to my frosted pink DM boots,  Thanks Juliette for the laces, and Mark for the boots.  

So don't worry too much about what others think, it will never be exactly the same as you.  

Just please yourself in an area that you can, and hopefully also enjoy the sunshine.

See you all very soon.