This week there is a mixture of scenic views and sunny smiles, plus a touch of culture.  

Also, a spectacular array of empty bottles.  Well, we have been on holiday! 

Two weeks ago I was visiting the West Dean 'Apple Event', which was a tad short on actual apples.

I found this photo shortly afterwards of John and Sam 'enjoying' the Chili Weekend at West Dean, many years ago.  I think it was on John's 12th or 13th birthday, and I was determined to take a picture of the two of them smiling together.

Not an easy undertaking....first they didn't even want to share the same bench.  Anyway, they responded to the instructions 'Just act like you like each other!' 

Returning to year 2016, on Friday 7th October, Mr Cooper and myself got up to pack our suitcases, and then the car, ready to set off for Gatwick, looking forward to a week away in Corfu.  We had an evening flight, landing around 11pm, then onto a minibus to our hotel next to the sea, the Coral Beach Hotel, in Roda Village.
After an hour driving through the darkness, we saw our first fantastic sight in Corfu....the bar was still open!

It wasn't until the next morning we realised how wonderful our surroundings were, and that Albania
was just over the water.  The sun was shining and we set out to find a place to lunch, one with squid on the menu.  We decided not to eat at the first place we found, as they had taken the idea of a 'table with a sea view' a little too literally!

 We did find a most beautiful Greek Taverna, all arty and blue inside, with naive paintings of fish.
It wasn't at all bad from the outside, either.

Mr Cooper and I had decided that we should keep our lunches light and healthy, and our evening meals too.  So I ordered grilled squid and salad, to following my welcome cool beer.  The waiter suggested that a Corfian speciality might fit the bill for Mr Cooper, so he ordered a spicy stew of rock salmon with chips.  Why not have a few grilled sardines to share first?
 Oh well, why not, we are on holiday. Better order a bottle of retsina, too!
The sardines were delicious!

After a couple of days of sunshine and squid, with the occasional tentacle of grilled octopus to ring the changes, the sun disappeared as rain took over.  At first just slightly, then torrentially.
We were now having to lunch behind a plastic curtain, which was spattered with rain droplets.
We kept our spirits up, however, particularly when I was introduced to another way to enjoy retsina whilst on Corfu.  Drink it with Sprite.........Wow!

After a couple of stormy days Mr cooper and I were glad to get out and about again, and we decided to turn right when leaving the hotel, and walk to the top right hand side of the island.
On the way we noticed that after the storms, some of the stones had migrated from the beach to form  a  decorative element on the beach umbrellas.

After walking for a couple of hours,  we did indeed reach our destination, which was picture perfect.
There is Albania looking very beautiful and very close, on the horizon. 
I did manage to keep a rain-soaked dead sheep out of the image, the poor animal providing a stark contrast to its surroundings.

The days flew by, being filled as they were with such a sense of purpose.  For example, 'Where shall we wander to today?'  'Nearly finished this book now!'  'Where do you fancy eating tonight?' 'Would you pass the suntan lotion please' 'Are you sure you need another banana ice cream?' (The latter being a frequent comment from Mr Cooper to me, and the answer was always 'Yes, I'm on holiday!')

The Dolphin Taverna became our most favourite place to eat.  We ate by the beach in the daytime, nearly by the beach behind the plastic curtain in the rainy daytime, and inside at night. 
Here is Mr Cooper, waiting for his light, lunchtime snack (bread with garlic butter, beef cooked in red wine, and homemade chips) drinking his favourite aperitif, wearing a holiday T-shirt.

As I waited for my light snack, (garlic bread with tomato salad), I did my only artwork of the week.  Even then, I was so relaxed I initially spelt retsina wrong.
It is not only me who looks happy in this photo...my dinosaur necklace is positively glowing!

Our light lunch became less so, as Nikki* brought our food to us, together with a big brimming bowl filled with a hearty stew of leeks, tomatoes and sweet potatoes, the food she had cooked for herself and her family for lunch that day.
Thanks Nikki, totally delicious, but after that, sleep was the order of the day!  ( Or rather, the recovery time between our late lunch, and our final evening meal on Corfu.)

Refreshed by a couple of hours snoozing by the pool, without eating any banana ice cream,we made our way along the beach to visit our second most favourite place, the beautiful blue Taverna called Aphos, for our last evening meal.
We got there early to watch the sun go down in Corfu for the last time.  Well, for us this year, but there is always next year to look forward to.

Beautiful sunset, crispy courgette balls, grilled gilt-head bream, garlic butter and Mr Cooper.
 What more could I need for a perfect evening.  Retsina, of course!

And for our very last day, and our very last lunch by the  beach, we had to visit the Dolphin Taverna.
Mr Cooper sampled Corfian moussaka for the first time, and I ordered squid and salad for the 4th time. No huge bowls of stew were delivered with our order, but at the end, a huge and beautifully ripe Sharon fruit, from Nikki's garden.  I love these, but never eat them in England as they have to be so ripe they are positively bursting with flavour, as this one was.

It was so sad to leave Corfu, and all that we had enjoyed there.  Not only the sun, the sea, and the cuisine, but the friendliness.  We said goodbye to Nikki and Nikos with huge hugs and kisses, and left holding a bottle of red wine they gave us, to drink at Christmas.  We will, and we will raise a toast to Nikki, Nikos and Floyd. I might even sneak in some squid as a cheeky little pre-turkey starter.......

Back to England, and to pick up the reins of a lifestyle where work has its firm place.
To me, the word 'work'** means  time spent creating art, like what I do in my shed (and in the kitchen, the dining room and the sitting room, says Mr Cooper resignedly.....)

Here is an older art work having reached it's destination at Homerton College in Cambridge last weekend.
It was unwrapped on a very appropriate day, and here is my beautiful niece Rowan, halfway through unwrapping the Basking Shark, on her birthday!  Happy Birthday Rowan, and Happy Year Ahead!

Another creation is now fulfilling its function.  I knitted these garments for Henry, starting them when he had arrived in the world this Spring.  And here is Henry, now at 6 months old, looking absolutely gorgeous sporting autumn colours.  Time to get some more wool for the next creation.
You look wonderful Henry, lots of love from your Nana Sue.

There is also lots of artwork to make, three projects to be completed asap.  I love earning money through commissions, just not that good at starting them!
Here I am, the day after returning to Corfu, looking back at this year's significant art work, which was accepted for the Stride Exhibition at The Oxmarket, Chichester.

And I leave you now, looking forward to the work I have to do, and also to the big changes that me and Mr Cooper now have to make.  New house, new garden, new shed!
I hope you are able to look forward to changes in your life too, with excitement.  They always mean saying goodbye to something, which is sad.
 But there is always that most positive word to use to greet the future, hello!
Looking forward to greeting you all again, in a week or so's time.
See you then, take care, just off to make some changes!

*It also means doing other things to earn money, mainly washing up at The Greyhound, and cleaning for friends.
 Mr Cooper looks forward to the day when I clean our house!  Managing to avoid that, so far........

As we have now entered a season of mellow fruitfulness, son John and myself decided to visit the Apple Affair at West Dean, on Sunday.  It was our first visit to that particular event for many years.
It was also an accidental visit, as originally we were going to experience the 'Countryside Weekend' at Singleton,  http://www.wealddown.co.uk/events/autumn-countryside-show/ only to find when we arrived that we had got the wrong weekend!

We enjoyed quite a lot of the Apple Affair, but both decided that the 'apple content' of the event is significantly less than it used to be.

Therefore my photos of the event show significantly less apple images than they would have done.
I think our visit to the vegetable gardens and greenhouses was the highlight of the show.
Here is my favourite autumn flower, Nerine bowdenii, and one I have not yet managed to grow.
Perhaps in my next garden?

And here we are now inside the greenhouse, looking at some bizarre cucumbers.
 I think John is mentally converting them to be pickles in a jar.

After such a mellow start to a sunny Sunday, we returned home chilled and relaxed.  I made use of such a warm afternoon to complete a few 'workshop/shed' jobs, as it is now mighty cold out there when there is no sunshine.

The 'Basking Shark in Cornwall' was packaged carefully, ready to start its journey away from the sea and into Cambridge, where it will meet its new owner, my youngest niece Rowan.  If it hasn't already arrived today, it should be swimming in tomorrow.

I then completed the next section of my coat of arms, which I am designing and painting on Monday afternoons at Trinity in Winchester. http://trinitywinchester.org.uk/
My four most favourite black cats have now been given eyes.  They are, from left to right, Commander Cuddles, Thomas (deceased), Angela (deceased) and Lord Snooty.  Cuddles and Snootles are two beautiful kittens belonging to the oldest male Hofman.  Cuddles can often be found disappearing into the bin in search of food, and Snootles is an elegant purring machine. (Cuddles could soon be called 'El Tubbins', but not when Sam is around, as he is insistent they are called Cuddles and Snooty.)

Then I attached hangers to my ink drawing 'Naked And Surrounded By Life'.  I entered it for the Stride Open Art Competition, which is a yearly event at The Oxmarket, and it has been accepted.  Third time lucky for this picture this year!  http://oxmarket.com/stride-open-art-2016/

The exhibition runs from the to the 11th to the 23rd October . Sadly I will not be able to attend the Private View, as me and Mr Cooper will then be enjoying a lovely evening meal in sun-kissed Corfu.

Thinking of which, I must away to the library soon, to stock up on reading matter for when I am relaxing on the beach/by the pool.  I will obtain a Kindle for when I go to The Falklands, but until then, I do like that old fashioned building that is full of free books to borrow, and helpful people.

Last time I was there, I borrowed the book below, and was really pleased I had done so.

A very different take on a slice of life encompassing The Holocaust, surrounded also by an imagined outcome from such an horrific time in history.

Returning to a much different note, another commission has come my way, and one with a difference.

You may remember the one I completed for Nigel White and his Mission Tent.

Now Nigel and Jennifer have purchased a real poppet of a ledge wagon made for a preacher.
My next commission from them is to combine images of this beautiful wagon, their mission tent, plus a  tall neon cross, for  reasons that will slowly unfurl.

That one will have to wait its turn however, as my next significant artwork is a portrait of two lovely dogs, Millie and Bertie, plus flowers, crucifixes and Frieda Kahlo with her monkey.
Sadly Millie died early this week, a big loss to Jan, especially as she had lived for 21 years.
So a bright golden halo for such a sweetheart will also appear.
I am sure several of you already know them, and here they are for you all.
Millie is on the left, and Bertie the right.

I hope Millie has found a wonderful doggy heaven where she can eat all she wants, and run round with many four-legged friends.


But as I spend today packing for my week in Corfu with Mr Cooper, the only art work I will be taking with me will be far more light-hearted, as befits holiday-mode.  A sketch for another tattoo for a chef, featuring walking rabbits, gym, golf, and that other important element in the life of a chef, beer!

Well I might not see any walking rabbits when I am away, gym visits and golf I will totally ignore, but hopefully a cold beer in the warm sunshine will be on the cards.  Not too many, of course, or I might be seeing those walking rabbits!

We are not on holiday every day, but try to do a little something in the week to give you a 'holiday feel'.  If stuck for ideas, just put on your swimwear, sit in a warm bath clutching a colourful cocktail.  To make it more real, surround the bath by your friends on recliners, also clutching cocktails.  You can take it in turns to 'slip into the pool'.  (Or, just put on bright clothes and visit a cocktail bar!)

Looking forward to seeing you all on my return, hopefully a little more chilled and a little more tanned, plus a little more broke!  Try to emulate the first two qualities, and avoid the last one!

Till then, have fun!

Variety is indeed the spice of life, a statement relevant to this blog, and sumach is a spice that I use to add occasional delicious variety to my culinary repertoire.*

One weekend saw me and Mr Cooper heading, with enthusiasm, towards Bristol, where we were looking forward to seeing Bristol Rovers defeat Rochdale.  (One of us was more excited than the other, I leave you to decide which one. And the same one was much more confident of a victory too!)

Let's just say that they were lucky to draw.  In the first half the defence was pitiful, but also the referee was indeed what the crowd said he was.  They must have had a good pep talk at half-time, and the ref emerged far less biaised, the final score being 2-2.  A very draining match to watch!

Leaving Mr Cooper's world now, and returning to my part of our shared life.
A while ago, I showed some pictures that needed a good home, and this was one of them.
A kind and caring home was offered, and it was duly delivered, and received with much excitement.

It also travelled with a studio-companion, one that has been much admired in the past.

'Naked, But Surrounded by Cake', minus frame,** was also happily accepted by Diane.
I did check the house and garden to make sure they fitted the painting's requirements, as you have to do when re-homing an artwork.  Luckily the garden is secure, and the house is usually full of Di and Keith's friends and family, so they should settle in well, and not feel neglected.
 In fact, they should blossom after being rarely seen.
I should be re-homing another artwork next week, then I will see if there are some more who would benefit from a second home.
 All donations gratefully received, then I get to buy more paints to paint even more!

Here is a photo of the painting and its creator, both settling in very well!  I do find that, if handed a glass of fizz, I settle pretty well.

After a busy weekend, Monday can seem a little flat.  But not in this household!
Since becoming a volunteer for Trinity, in Winchester, I have enjoyed working with the Monday afternoon art group. http://trinitywinchester.org.uk/
 We have been making a coat of arms to depict ourselves and our interests, and here is the first completed section of mine.  It has been inspired by my walk of the South Downs Way, and hopefully is showing my love of the countryside, and walking in it.
Life is not always easy, and sometimes it can feel as if 'difficult' has got the upper hand.
Having an interlude where you are creating something in the company of others is so beneficial.

Time marches on, or, in the case of September, surges on.  Nearly time for Mum's birthday, so three of us set off for Eye, one sunny Saturday morning. (Sam was not able to join us, for, as he said, 'When am I ever going to get a weekend off work?')

As usual, we broke our journey in Turweston, near Brackley, where I had a beautiful blast from the past.  Directors, and a packet of honey roasted!  https://www.facebook.com/strattonarms/
When I lived next door to The Greyhound, in Stockbridge (1986-1996), it was a Courage pub.
Now I work there 2 days a week, and like most places, it is not really a pub anymore, it has become an eating establishment.  How can a pub survive now without being so?
On a positive note, the food there is really good! (And you can have just a drink there too)
http://thegreyhoundonthetest.co.uk/

When we visit Mum, me and my brothers always bring flowers.  Mum loves getting flowers.***
Over the years, the number of vases she possesses has declined, and when the three of us descend, it is difficult to find enough receptacles for the blooms.
So I set out to search for a large vase as a present from the 3 of us. Have you tried to do this lately? Look for a specific object, with a firm idea in your head of what you would like?
I went to one shop which sold flowers.  I was shown the vase selection and I chose the largest ceramic vase, only to be told that it wouldn't hold water!  Well, that's handy in a vase!  And yes, I also spent a long time looking at a vast selection on the computer, and none fitted the bill.
 But then Mr Cooper stepped in, and said, 'What about Malcolm?'
So I walked down the lane to ask my friend and work colleague (Malcolm runs the Chichester Art Trail, and I am a committee member) if he had a large, fit for purpose vase, preferably with a handle.

Here it is, sitting on the table at Mum's, full of Mark's flowers.  Mum was delighted by the vase.
Malcolm is a very talented potter, and a painter and photographer too and runs pottery courses from his studio in Nutbourne.  http://www.dobbies.net/

So we have had football and art, beer and ceramics.  Now it is time for tattoos.
One of the chefs at work, in an interlude from producing some amazing food, was sketching away.
He was putting together ideas for a tattoo.  He knew what he wanted, it was just how to do it.
I did a working drawing for him, of his ideas, and here it is.
I have got another to do now for him.  Any more offers, out there?
 I have always loved working with someone to give them a visual image of the ideas in their head,
but it stops there, I won't be reaching for the needle and the inks!

Perhaps next time there will be design number two on view.

Just off now to get ready to meet someone I have worked with on several occasions, to put together an image of a working mission tent.  Life is certainly not dull, and they are buying me lunch too!

If you feel your week is a little dull, just reach for a new recipe to add a little more spice.

And in this transition between summer and autumn, why not wear a different combination of garments to add variety.  Just stop when your friends start laughing.  And talking of friends, it is always good to actually meet, and chat, and end up laughing...... even if you have to cry first.

*  This is a recipe I enjoy greatly, courtesy of Nigella.  it is called 'Za'atar Chicken with Fattoush',
Za'atar being a Middle-eastern spice blend which contains sumach.
Fattoush is also up there in my top 10 salads.
Cling on to summer for a week longer and try this.  Or cling on anyway, and eat something else.
The choice, as always, is yours.

** I needed the frame for this year's significant drawing, 'Naked And Surrounded By life.'
Next week I will know whether is has been accepted or rejected for it's third competition this year.

*** I take flowers when I stay with friend and family, and love receiving them myself.
Luckily Mr Cooper buys me flowers, or my vases would be a little empty (apart from when my brothers and close friends descend!)

This week, an outdoor theme still pervades, punctuated by a culinary delight for you to feast your eyes upon.
Once again, son John and I found ourselves as the only passengers in my elderly Volvo as we made our way to the Gaylard Wood Fair 2016, near Sturminster Newton. Apparently, Wood Fairs are not for everybody, (this was news to me!) Mr Cooper went to one once, so he should know.
 It was a bit of a hike, but so worth it.

The setting is in woodlands where there is truly an abundance of oak.  Here is a typical oak avenue, plus a good cross-section of the visitors.  Beards, shorts, hats, glasses of cider, dogs.
 John and I had beard and cider (him) and shorts, hat and cider (me).

Set against a backdrop of clumps of oak trees were many vintage woodworking vehicles.
 A couple of weeks ago we were looking at a saw bench being powered by a traction engine, and now we were looking at one being powered by an elderly tractor.  If you look closely, the man in charge has shorts, bowler hat and cider.

I have been to many steam rallies of varying sizes, since I was very young.
 If you too have attended a few rallies, this poster should indeed make you smile.
We found it in the perfect place, tucked amongst the stationary engines.
 And if you don't know what one of those is, this joke will be lost on you.  But if you have unwillingly accompanied a steam enthusiast to many rallies, try to contain your hysterical outbursts!

If I was able to have my time again, I would love to have a pair of working horses, not as an exhibit from the past, but earning a living by working in the woodlands.  This would take up a lot of my life, leaving painting, writing and cooking to fill up the corners, ready to take over for when I got too old for working in the woods. (Probably in my early eighties!)

It was a real delight to see so many horses there, demonstrating working with timber,
and this is Jenny.
Although she looks like she is sporting a bonkers outfit ( another plus for me) she is in fact wearing a covering to protect her from flies.

Another thing that serves to protect us all from flies is our friendly spider.  This one was doing a good job of keeping the fly population down, plus any badly-behaved terriers.

John must have been in a good mood, for after he had let me stroke the Suffolks (horses to John are dangerous bitey, kicky things)........

.........he accompanied me on a ride round the site on a cart pulled by them.
Strangely enough, we had a peaceful, uneventful ride with no biting, kicking or bolting.
Darling and Boy behaved beautifully, as I thought they would.

Leaving the woodlands behind now, we returned to The Gables to make a Shanghai Steamboat, a delicious request from Sarah.  It is now going to be introduced to the Falkland Islands.
Years ago now, Mr Cooper and myself experienced our first 'steamboat' in a tiny Vietnamese restaurant in Southsea, back in the days when I lived in the Pink House, we had some money,  and ate out a lot.
It is such a fun dish to eat, each diner cooking their own meat and fish in the broth, which is served over noodles.  Vegetables play an important role (of course) and the beauty of this dish is that a fussy eater can stick to what they feel safe with (yawn yawn) leaving people like me and Mr Cooper to stuff down as much steak, squid, prawns, chicken, tuna etc as we can (hurrah!)
I will include the general outline for one, at the end of the blog.  This week's recipe.
The chances are that I will be writing a cookery book soon!

Sarah and Ali's visit was sadly drawing to a close, and they bought cases to pack all their purchases, mostly wedding-related.
Sarah's dress was packed in a cream coloured suitcase, just the right size for hand luggage, and she asked me if I would paint it to be more 'wedding-y'. 

So on Sunday I applied the base colours.  It was a bit of a pig to paint on, as I was painting on a canvas-like fabric stretched over a thickish board.  I was happy though, as for the first time in absolutely ages, I was in my shed on a Sunday afternoon, painting away whilst listening to Radio 4.
A state close to heaven, well, heaven for me.

Here it is at the end of Sunday afternoon.......

And here it is at the end of Monday afternoon.  Luckily it was  Bank Holiday Monday, so for once I had a free afternoon.

Tuesday found me reluctantly back at work, but I disappeared into the shed on Wednesday morning,

 

and once again on Wednesday afternoon.  Just in time, as the case was then taken away along with Sarah and Ali on Thursday morning to Heathrow, to begin their long trip home.

And the next time we see them will be in February, when we join them to celebrate their marriage, which will take place in Ali's parent's garden.
Just got to make lots of purple and silver bunting now, not forgetting my purple dress!
Now when was the last time I made lots of bunting?

That's it, for when I got married to Mr Cooper!

Looking forward to making lots of bunting for you now, Sarah!
 (Not forgetting knitting the odd garment for Henry too, of course)

Enjoy your working week, and the weekend to come.  Make sure you have something frivolous in your life to make you smile, and if you feel that is lacking, you can always make some bunting.
Or you can visit the Irregular Choice website to purchase truly frivolous footwear!
 http://www.irregularchoice.com/
I have just purchased some truly frivolous footwear for the wedding!

Whatever you decide, looking forward to seeing you all in a week or so's time.

Shanghai Steamboat.

Make a broth from stock, sliced onions, leeks and carrots, chopped parsley, and a chili cut in half.  Make enough to fill a medium/large saucepan, which will be placed onto a camping stove on your table.
Prepare various fish and meats cut into bite-sized portions.  Steak, chicken, tuna, squid, whole prawns, salmon and lamb fillet all work well.  Cook enough egg noodles for you all, and have a variety of chili dipping sauces ready.
Put the broth onto the stove to simmer, give each diner a large soup bowl, with noodles covering the bottom.  Add a ladle or two of broth over them.
Now grab your 80s fondue forks, preferably 2 each, and cook your chosen delicacies in the broth.
Dip them in the sauce before eating, if desired.
Have a range of vegetables prepared to add to the broth at regular intervals, such as pak choi, mushrooms, sliced courgettes, baby sweetcorn etc.
Add a little boiling water to the broth if required.
At the end, when all the meat has gone, serve out the remaining broth to be eaten as a broth.
Enjoy!

Looking back over the last week or two, I think the theme must have been 'madness', and it still is.
But 'mad' in a crazy, busy, hyper, fun-filled time.  So far, we are clinging onto what could be sanity, and have eluded the asylum.  In this time of summer madness, Mr Cooper has worn 'even madder than usual' shirts, and I have also worn some crazy clothes.  But, I said a little sadly to him after a day out, even if I stood next to you in my brightest dress, considerably more luminous than your shirt, wearing a hat with sparklers blazing from it, and constantly sounding air horns, people will say, 'Wow, amazing shirt that, John' and I will always be the peahen standing next to my peacock.
But away from comments on dress conventions or otherwise, and back to madness.

Each year Midhurst has its own carnival, a glorious festival for music, arts and drama.

This year I was invited to exhibit my work in 'Comestibles', a really lovely delicatessen and cafe in Midhurst.  http://www.picnic-park.co.uk/deli.htm
What better place to showcase my 'food art?'
And what better place to indulge yourselves too, over lunch or coffee.
Go there at the very least for a slice of their  homemade (of course) honeycomb tiffin,
 pausing only as you go in to see my work featured in the left hand window.....

And also the right hand window.

What has really made the sun come out for us over the last few days is that Sarah has come to stay with us, travelling from the Falkland Islands where she lives, with her fiance Ali. It is always lovely to see Sarah, and have her to stay, and me and Mr Cooper can both say wholeheartedly that it has also been lovely to meet Ali, and have him to stay too. 
They are getting married next year (you may remember their  Facebook announcement to the world, which I also featured in in my blog, many months ago....here it is again)

Here they are, on a crazy day out in Portsmouth, where Ali had to meet even more  new people.

He has been subjected to an experience a bit like speed dating, called 'speed meeting', and he has done really well!
Next February, they will be the ones to say to us, 'And here are twenty more people for you to get to know in the next half hour, and to remember their names, interests and occupations.  As me and Mr Cooper are sadly now no longer young, I am sure things will become a little blurry round the edges.....or it might be that we will be sitting in a pub when these introductions are made!

During these ultra-exciting times, some of life goes on as normal.  And what could be more normal for me and son John than a trip to a steam fair?  Strangely enough, Mr Cooper and Sam opted to stay away, as did Sarah and Ali.
 Good job John and I were happy to join the ranks of the other 'normal' people there!

Very early into our visit, I found out what 'Galloping Dobbies' are *.  Well, I did know what they were, but had never heard them called that before.

And it was the owner of this Showmans engine that very kindly enlightened me.  He also said that the youngsters in his family weren't keen to take up the reins when it came to steam.
 I told John this, who said 'Well he could give it to me then.'
Lots of fun was had looking at the steam cars whizz round at an alarming rate.  That would indeed be a madly thrilling ride, perched on the passenger seat of one of those.  As I am an artist, I didn't take   an informative photo of them, but here is a highlight from a steam car, which was built in 1903, in America.

It is quite tiring, being a steam enthusiast, and John and I had to keep our strength up, during the few hours we were there.
We had the most amazing freshly-cooked flatbread with green olive tapenade, lemon and beetroot hummus, and dukka.  So delicious, the flatbread was warm and crisp, but with a soft and yielding interior.  It was also only the third time I had been offered dukka, which I love.  The first time was when I made it, and offered it to myself, and the second time was in Woodfire,where Sam made it.
I think it is still on the menu there. http://woodfirestockbridge.co.uk/

In fact it is such a delicious dippy treat that I will add the recipe for it, at the end of the blog.**

Over the past few days I have missed out on some of the festive treats, as I have also been hard at work.  But never-the-less, I have managed to

a)  Visit a bridal shop with Sarah and her mum, to sort of assist in choosing a beautiful dress.

b)  Eat too much, including takeaway food. (Memories of India, Bosham. Delish.)

c)  Go to Fratton Park to see Pompey play.  Well, they were on the pitch at the same time as the 

     other team, Colchester.  Pompey actually managed to score 2 goals!

d)  Have a very hot and sunny day out with many people in Gunwharf, most of whom I knew.

e)  Cook meals of the 'extra special' variety.

f)   Entertain other visitors.

g)  Wash up after cooking and entertaining.

h)  Eat too much at the Beijing Palace.  Conveniently, just over the road.  I nearly had to ask

     Mr Cooper to fetch the wheelbarrow as I was just too stuffed to walk home.
i)  Get up stupidly early to start to complete the 'Figures in the Sea' for Diane.
j)  Complete an 'out of the blue' painting, in 3 days.  More about that in my next blog.  The painting will be in The Falklands by then.

Lots more happened, of course, and lots more is still to come.
Rachael, Ben and Henry came over too.....

Here they all are, looking happy and beautiful.
 Well, you can just see Henry's leg, looking happy, beautiful and asleep.   I failed to capture him when awake, on camera.  It is not just steam cars that I fail to capture!
I also failed to capture the stripy suit I had knitted for him, which had taken 3 months!
Better luck next time, when I have completed the mad bootees.

Of late, I have been wondering whether to buy a camper van and have a sort of 'last hurrah' before becoming really old and generally just growling, and biting people.
But after the frantic pace of the last week or so, the thoughts of an even much slower pace of life than that offered by an elderly camper van appeal greatly.
What about a living-wagon, pulled along by something even more inconvenient than a couple of feathered horses?  Yes, a traction engine!

I really would be on my own with that, as Mr Cooper has reservations about me having a camper van!

In the brief free moments when not socialising, working, painting or cooking, I have managed to read a book or two.  This one by Caitlin Moran I enjoyed quite a lot, and at times an awful lot.

 I did feel that there were very distinct parallels to 'How To Be A Woman', but I was greatly taken by the description of the difference given between the rich and the poor.
So much so that I include the description below.

Read it, and see what you think.  If you have the book, it is on pages 167-168.

Staying with a literary theme,  the last 3 weeks have gone by so quickly that I was shocked to realise that it is Book Group next Wednesday.  Thank goodness for next-day-delivery I thought, as I pressed 'proceed the checkout'.
But there is so much art work I need to do, that it might be the first time I fail to complete the book.
As well as the 3 art works already in the queue, I am now also helping to design a tattoo.  I am turning someone's really interesting ideas into a working drawing.  There won't be another tattoo like this one.
And yes, I did for a little while think 'Why not be a tattooist?'   But then I thought of all the reasons why not.  Mainly, you do not have an eraser!  I suppose I could offer a reasonable rate for a reasonably good job!

I hope you are all still enjoying the summer, and making few, if any, errors in life.
And if made, hopefully the sort of errors that can be rectified, rather than the errors I might make if let loose with a tattoo gun! 
Perhaps best to stick to pastry, as the results are either edible, or compostable.

See you all soon for glimpses of knitted bootees, sudden paintings and amazing oak fairs.
Till then, may your errors be only of the culinary nature.....unless you are cooking to impress, that is.

* 'Galloping Dobbies'.  A child-size set of gallopers, turned by hand and not by steam.

**
Dukka.  Taken from 'River Cottage Everyday' by Hugh Fearnley-Whittingtall.