
Yesterday’s #bandofsketchers drawing, walked round Shelton cemetery and the wind was blowing and datk clouds gathered. It rained heavily for a short time. Worked from a photo… Prompt was wet, and it really was. Boldmere colouring pencils.
New paintings and regular art updates.

Yesterday’s #bandofsketchers drawing, walked round Shelton cemetery and the wind was blowing and datk clouds gathered. It rained heavily for a short time. Worked from a photo… Prompt was wet, and it really was. Boldmere colouring pencils.

Come on cat
Come on in
It’s blowing a gale
And raining hail
A storm is coming
And you’re outside
I’ve called your name
But instead you hide!
Come on in cat
Don’t be shy
There’s food here for you
Through the storm, fly
Run in now
Listen to my call
Don’t stay out
Through the heavy rain fall!
Come in
Be comfy
Stay a while
Be warm and happy
Prodigal feline in style.

Weeping Willow outside the Gardeners Retreat pub on our walk today. I took the photo because of the way the wind was blowing its fronds around. The clouds were scurrying across the sky and a pale pink glow was growing on the horizon. It was a warm walk, the rain spitted at the start but then fizzled out and we were walking in a buffering wind. In the end I only walked a short distance, around, 7500 steps, but that’s OK……



There was a very heavy rain shower just before my friend and I went out for our afternoon walk. I always wear a mask when I walk even though we are socially distanced. Today I was glad I did as a couple of people (without masks), were coughing as they walked past. My friend noticed I was holding my breath and I explained that I’m always wary of people coughing, or jogging and I will hold my breath for a few seconds. I even notice if the wind is blowing from the cougher towards me.
On a nicer note, the skies were washed clean by the rain and wind. I tried to take photos of the sunset, and although it appeared quite bright the colours really show up in my pictures. X



Oh it was wet today! My feet were wet, my coat soaked, my glasses were both steamed up and splashed with rain. My hubby had a body warmer and his old tweed coat on. But we had a good walk. I bought myself valentine flowers and him a packet of chocolate biscuits. Then we had a Thai takeaway for our evening meal… Not the most romantic day, but comfortable…

Hat or not?
Headscarf, cap?
Keep the sun off,
Stay in the shade,
Don’t let the sun burn
Red skin and pain.
Not in this month though
I haven’t seen the sun.
But I’ll still wear my hat
To keep the rain off….
Instead!

At the start of January it was getting dark around 4.40pm and we were having about eight hours of light. Now it’s staying light till after five. I feel like a weight is lifting slightly. Like the edges of a blanket being pulled up and light seeping in around the edges.
The clouds have obscured the sunset for the last few days. We’ve had almost a months rain in a day in some places in the UK with storm Christoph causing flooding in Wales and Northern England. We have avoided the worst here, but twenty miles or so away the town of Northwich in Cheshire is flooded in places and the river Severn is close to flooding over.

It’s raining heavily in the UK, but that didn’t wake me up. No it was my hubby getting up and making a pot of tea at four am. Then the cat wanted to go out at four thirty. I came downstairs to make a cup of coffee at five. Then as I was deciding whether to snack on a few olives left over in the fridge one of my paintings fell off the wall on the stairs, it came crashing down and shook me up a bit. I checked it over and its OK. But the string had worn through. I think hubby must brush past it on the stairs so I’ve restrung it with some wire this time.
Now I’ve had my coffee (decaff). I’m wondering whether to call the outside cat back inside. There is a forecast for rain turning to snow and ice later in the week…… I’m listening to the news on the radio. Train lines are blocked and flooded….. Do I go on… And they are talking about the end of the Trump era….. Life goes on.

The air pressure here has dropped by about 20 or 25 millibars today. As you can see it’s gone from change/fair to rain. And it’s pouring it down outside. The wind is very gusty and its battering our trees and hedges. The hanging baskets are rocking on their brackets. I might tap the barometer and see if it drops further. This is a mechanical barometer so it needs to be tapped sometimes to get an accurate reading.

I sometimes think our outdoor cat knows he’s onto a good thing…. Its been raining heavily and blowing 60 mile an hour winds, but he insists on going outside. The shed door is propped slightly open so he can shelter, but after an hour I shouted him. He came in, a bit damp, had something to eat and drink then went back to the door with my hubby. He was standing there holding the door open, but the cat didn’t want to go out. So then he came and sat on our armchairs (there’s a cushion between us), but no, I tried stroking him, he jumped off and tried out our bedroom, but soon came back downstairs. Now he’s sitting and staring at me. I also think he’s a bit nervous of the noise the gale is making. He keeps staring at the window. I can understand my two indoor cats, but this one is new. I can’t mind read what he wants yet……