Happy New Year

A New Year is upon us. It is a time of reflection and commitment. It is a time to remember fondly times with family and friends many of whom are no longer here but to be thankful for their time with us. The painting above is a large portrait of my Mother who is no longer with us.

She was always an early riser and as soon as I heard her get up a as child I would follow. I would go out and she would point out the stars to me. I remember having to turn the great heavy mangle to dry the clothes and then going into light the fire. She always made me a breakfast of cheese on toast with marmalade. I have many happy memories of my childhood and I hope my children do to.

This morning I stood and pleasantly chatted to the old farmer in the mist on the top of the Valley. It broke up the walk which started in complete darkness but ended in half light.

Anyway:

Have a Happy New Year !

Painting of Llansteffan

This is a another commission that sold this month. I only did a quick photo on the easel but it came out ok.

I think a bit of a tidy up is required today. I have a couple of crates I use to transport paintings to get rid of along with card, wood and Christmas debris in order to get back into the workshop. Then shopping I think smoked haddock is in order if I can get it, my favourite fish!

Sunrise across the Towy Valley

I mentioned yesterday about the sun breaking over the valley. Well I remembered to take my camera this morning. So on the way back from our walk as we came to the top of the hill looking across the valley the sun broke. A glorious view on any morning whatever the weather.

I rarely get angry and have lost my temper twice (which is twice too many) but I do get irritated by people who leave rubbish in our beautiful countryside. However nearly just as bad are the people who just walk passed it. That is if they have some practical means to carry it.

We spent a week in the Cotswolds recently. The Bathurst Estate allow public access to walk and run their dogs in thsis wonderful parkland. At the entrance in the Park when we arrived I noted all manner of fast food containers and the like probably left by youngsters at night (yes very judgemental but true). I also noted this was exactly where the good people of the town were parking their 4x4's and letting the dogs out. Anyway everyday I collected a bagful of rubbish when I walked with Jac and dropped it off in bins on the way home. I don't expect praise for this it is just a matter of respect.

 Out of all those people parking there why couldn't one of them spend ten minutes with a couple of bin liners and take the rubbish home! With a car it would have been easy. I suppose people don't think. Winge over.

Carmarthen watercolour

This morning Jac and I had a great walk up through the woods and over the top fields back down Penlanffos. The scenery was spectacular. The sky was crimson in the east  with the sun just poking over the horizon. Groups of gulls were making there way across the sky heading inland. The grass was frosty and leaves crunched under foot and yet there were plenty of slippy places on the path to catch out the over eager walker.

Looking up toward the Black Mountain and pall of mist hung low. Back towards Brechfa the wind turbines were stilled by the lack of wind. Other than the distant hum of traffic in the valley all was quiet.

On Boxing Day we went for a walk in Colby Woods. It was more of an assault course with ropes strung out for the steeper stretches and I caused great hilarity sliding down the path on my backside having lost grip of the rope.

The painting above is one of  many that went in the clear out of watercolours this year.

Merry Christmas

So its Christmas Day. Jac and I have been for our walk. Children are opening presents.  I found the above painting in the studio yesterday which I thought is appropriate. We had a nice time at our youngest daughters in Pontiets last night all the children were very well behaved.

I remember when we had Christmas Dinner at my mother and fathers Farm House in Knighton when the children were small. We had just sat down to first course when our eldest put wrapping paper on the fire and set fire to the large open chimney. 300 years of soot went up like a rocket. We abandoned dinner and the fire brigade joined us. They were least pleased having interrupted their dinner too.
It was memorable and only water damage and cold dinner so could have been worse and we laugh about it now!!

Love Actually

Its Christmas Eve and we watched "Love Actually" last night. Yes its a chick flic but its a great movie. Its all about Christmas, Love and Humanity. Pure corn but a great watch. Yes it got me in the mood for a festive season and watching "Elf" the night before was a good start. I have just about stopped laughing. They are both films you can watch over again and yes of course "Scrooged".

I am in the gallery today well until late afternoon anyway. And so yes Christmas is about love actually! Enjoy.

The painting above is Alex.

Stannier Locomotive crossing Lifting Bridge Carmarthen

I thought this painting was appropriate today. A painting of  Stannier Black Five crossing the Bascule Bridge at Carmarthen. I have posted it before but it is one of my favourite paintings and very Christmassy!

I had an interesting conversation with a young grandson yesterday. 

"Grandad why don't you believe in anything?" 

Was the awkward question from a young lad who still believes in Father Christmas. My first thought was who told you? The second was how do I answer this? I think I answered it sensitively without impinging on his beliefs. If I managed that then I wish everyone else in the world could follow suit as it would be a better place for it. Too many people are trying to impose their beliefs on others.

Anyway: 

"Nadolig Llawen, Happy Christmas, Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzenia, Froehliche Weihnachten, Joyeux    Noel. Suksun Wan Christmas!"

Michela Chiappa

I was looking to watching both episodes of an Italian Welsh Christmas and I wasn't disappointed.
Michela presented it beautifully and the food looked fantastic. When I came out of hospital having had pneumonia I suddenly decided I was going to cook having never had any inclination before. I started watching her programs and I was inspired. We later met her and had first hand tuition. So Alex owes her life of leisure to my pneumonia and Michela Chiappa.

Yesterday I fitted a 30m ethernet cable through the house only to find a problem with the cable!!
Still sorted now hopefully.

The above painting of Llansteffan sold this month.

Painting of Cefn Sidan

This is one of the paintings that sold this month. It is a painting of Cefn Sidan Beach on a misty morning with Worms Head in the background.

Quite a few little odd domestic jobs to do at the moment. We had a couple of days without hot water which was inconvenient. Sorted now. Alex is on the final run in to Christmas please let her lose her debit card.

We have little one's calling in today they are on their way to Thomas Santa 's Special. That's the Gwili Railway Special Steam Train with Santa.

I have decided to rework two paintings that are hanging about in the studio rather than let them go.

Now we pretty well always give to buskers (unless they are really awful) and donate to charity on a regular basis. I am however very careful what I donate to. I do not donate to RSPCA (after they spent all those hundreds of thousands of pounds  trying to prosecute a police officer who mercifully put an animal out of its misery having been hit by a car).  I also don't give to many organisations where I am unsure how the money is spent manily overseas. I note that Save the Children have 114 staff who are apparently paid over £90,000 a year according to a report I read this week. Chief Executives of many charities get paid hundreds of thousands David Miliband now apparently gets over £500,000 for being Chief Exec. of International Rescue. I think they should it for nothing. I am not going to fund their lifestyle. Here are two links to articles about their  pay pay

I do give to Macmillan, RNLI,  the local and Cardiff hospice on a regular basis, RSPB, Local charities, clubs and Alex gives to the Woodland Trust. I would like the Charity Commission to set maximum pay for staff.

Painting of Old Carmarthen Market

This is the old Carmarthen Market. I included a few members of the family in this painting. Alex and Sue her sister in law, our eldest daughter with her old dog and my mother are all involved. It took a while to paint this. The tower is still there. It was exhibited at the National Assembly in Cardiff. Our daughter has the painting now.

I did this post as "scheduled to post automatically " before last nights outrage in Berlin. It is with real sorrow I think of all the people affected by the attack on the Christmas Market.

Painting of Laugharne

The above painting is of the Strand at Laugharne. This area floods on high tides and occasionally people ignore the warning signs int he car park much to their later dismay. Anyway I post it as I bumped into George Phillips yesterday. George is and his good lady are old friends from Laugharne,
In fact on a couple of paintings I did of Laugharne his boat featured.

Anyway I went to watch Scarlets beat Toulon yesterday with Son in law and one granddaughter and had a thoroughly good afternoon.

Painting of Towy Valley in the Snow from Penlanffos

This is the view of the Towy Valley from Penlanffos. This is a watercolour I did a couple of years ago and is sold. The view from this spot is awesome and changes everyday according to the weather and light.

Yesterday I did a last minute watercolour commission. I don't do that many watercolours now and its good to keep my hand in. I forgot to photograph it before Alex framed it!

Vignette of Alex reading

Over the years I have painted or drawn Alex a good number of times. She is a good subject if a bit challenging because as soon as she sees I am picking up a pencil she moves. So the drawings are in the main done by stealth! Anyway the vignette above was done in while she was reading in our camper..

I note I have been getting more vists on the blog from France so "Bienvenue mes amies.,"

A Welsh Italian Christmas

I note that on Monday night BBC there is the first of a two part program "A Welsh Italian Christmas" with Michela Chiappa. Not only is Michela a great cook but a lovely person and the program is a must watch for us.

We have had the pleasure to meet Michela and all her family including her talented sisters Emi and Romina along with Mom and Dad. We also had a great Italian meal with them.
Anyway if you want easy to follow great Italian food recipes I would recommend their books and blogs. http://thechiappas.com/the-chiappas/


Yesterday we braved the Post office to post a last minute painting today I am on my way to escape with my Pochade box of oils down the beach.

Classic car for Christmas ?

A neighbour and friend of ours has an interest in classic cars and has just bought a new one (okay an old new one?).

Alex is quite jealous to be honest I am more for comfort and reliability in a car. Time was when we did our own servicing repairs .. Alex even changed the head and parts on our old Landrover to convert it to unleaded. We could strip a motorbike down to the crankcase in a day. I hav egot rid of my metal working machinery lathes etc as I am no longer likely to use them. I like mechanical things but cars now ..well I prefer to paint them..
Anyway its Christmas and I was thinking  maybe Alex would like a classic car ...
painting?  Okay maybe not.

The painting above was a scene I caught at a local show and is sold.

Painting of winter in Brechfa

Will it be a white Christmas ? I don't know I suspect not. Anyway the painting above is of Brechfa in the snow and is sold.

We picked up one of the little ones today and Alex is looking after another tomorrow whilst I finish the dining table I am making. I am keeping an eye on the weather as there maybe an opportunity to get out to do a painting. I have a couple of views in mind depending on the time available.


I was looking through the studio today and I think it is due for a clear out there are a number of paintings I am tripping over that have never been framed maybe after Christmas.

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Now I do like Christmas and one of my favourite songs is "Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas" by Bing Crosby (although I believe Perry Como did it first).  I think it captures the true meaning of Christmas and the lyrics:

"A pair of hop-along boots and a pistol that shoots
Is the wish of Barney and Ben,"  

say it all. Yes I like a Christmas Carol Service ( although I haven't been to one for a long time) but I am more into the goodwill and giving particularly to the grandchildren.  I also get the lyrics:

"And Mom and Dad can hardly wait for school to start again!"

The last few days we have been in Ludlow where we met up with old friends from Newtown and had a very convivial time. Alex has bought a CD (yes we still buy CDs) its like the Italian four Amigos or something anyway they are singing opera about Christmas I think? Anyway its just.....interesting?

Link  Bing Crosby

Sunrise

It was another beautiful sunrise this morning as Jac and I came back from our walk.  The above is a photograph but could just as easily be a painting.

I got around to making mince pies last night and was quite good I only ate two. All the decorations are now up although Alex is put out that having taken so long to hang one set of lights they decided to turn themselves in to toast. Alex went to two of the grandchildren's Christmas shows yesterday. In one of them the youngest grandchild was a bit out of hand and was throwing his toy rabbit in the air during the performance which wasn't too bad until it landed on the piano keyboard during a song much to the astonishment of the teacher playing it.

St. Peter's Carmarthen Painting

This is pretty seasonal. I like Christmas although I am not particularly religious. The above is a watercolour of St. Peter's Church Carmarthen.

If you like watercolours and are looking for a stunning original believe it or not you can buy an original unframed but mounted watercolour by Wendy Powell Jones for as little as £15. I am a great admirer of Wendy's Watercolours and consider her to be one of the finest watercolourists in West Wales. Anyway she has a small number of paintings priced at £15 as well as larger works in Origin 23, King Street, Carmarthen.

This morning I spent 15 minutes looking for one of my shoes. Thanks Jac!!

Abergwili Painting

The watercolour above is a winter scene of Abergwili I did a few years back. It was a freezing day that day too. That being said the weather is apparently set to pick up a bit this week. So all being well I hope to get out next week with my oil paints and do some work outside.

Today is my elder brother's birthday so Happy Birthday Tony. We have some silimarities. Tony is an artist, lecturer, writer, intellectual and all round Bohemian. He hasn't been in this country for a good many years. I aspire to be a competent artist but am not an a writer, Bohemian, or by any measure an intellectual.

Right!  Alex is up and breakfast calls and then off to steward in the gallery.

Brecon Painting

After Christmas I have a bit of work to do. I have paintings of Brecon to do for an exhibition and already one new commission to start. I finished one commission yesterday and another painting was sold. I am making good progress on the oak dining table. Tomorrow I am in Origin Gallery. We are just helping out for a couple of days in December. Busy times but planning a bit of r and r (not sure what that stands for but having a break!).
Ah yes the painting above is from the bridge in Castle Street. (There used too be a great little butcher shop on the corner when we lived there but its all gone now.) You can see the old Gaol and behind it the tower of Brecon Cathedral. The painting is sold.

Fordson Tractor Painting

The above painting was a commission. The tractor is a Fordson Dexta. I have always been interested in mechanical things. Motorbikes, cars, tractors, traction engines, aeroplanes, ships and of course I paint whatever interests me as well as landscapes/ seascapes.

The large oak dining table I am working on bit by bit with our son is coming together but will require a crane to lift it!! So it will have to be dismantled and erected in situ!

Happy Christmas

Well it is the first of December so Seasons Greetings to you. Alex put the tree up last night and worringly seems to have an awful lot of lights. I am wondering if we are going to end up with lights all over the house and garden! I have visions of cars full of children coming down the road to view the illuminati house with flashing l.e.d Santa and reindeer.

Ah well lets have another mince pie and sherry, take a breath, relax, and enjoy life.

Snow in the valley

A might on the chilly side at the moment but very welcome all the same. I believe it was -8 degs. in Carmarthenshire last night. It certainly felt like it first thing when Jac and I went for our walk. I have been making an oak dining table today with our son. It has gone pretty well (touch wood!!).
Tomorrow I am starting another commission. Its been a hectic time.

The painting above is an old one of Abergwili in the snow.

Harlech Cottage

I mentioned our annual visits to North Wales yesterday. The painting above is of a cottage above Harlech. I never did anything with it and eventually it went to the big tip at Nant y Caws. I like it for its simplicity. There is nothing unnecessary in the painting having been synthesised to its bare requirements.

I keep looking at the new pile of oak laid out in the workshop hoping it will turn itself into a dining table. Unfortunately to date it hasn't...Ahh such is life. I hope to make a start tomorrow....................

Snowdon from Porthmadog

We used to go to Snowdonia every year at the end of March. It was normally pretty cold camping but the main benefit was we had the place to ourselves pretty well.  I did plenty of watercolours and sketches few made it into a frame as it was just for my own pleasure. The watercolour above is from Porthmadog looking at Snowdon and was one that was sold.

We have been looking after a little grandchild today who is poorly but I did find time to prime some boards and stack a half ton of oak that arrived ready to make this table I promised for Christmas.

A walk with a faithful friend

The house is in organised turmoil, decorating finished but carpet fitters coming today. I now have a couple of commissions to do and a 7ft solid oak table to make before Christmas. Not sure how I came to agree to the table? Anyway it doesn't pay to let the dust grow under your feet.
Yesterday I fitted in doing a special watercolour for an A5 Christmas card for someone.

The painting above is sold.

Alex Cuthbert

On the brink of another game this time against the Boks. I feel sorry for Alex Cuthbert I guess he may not be starting but he has had a bit of a nightmare recently. Pictured above is when he scored that great try against England in March 2013. What a difference.

You can't blame him for the way Wales have performed of late. I agree with Gareth Thomas regarding the team selection. Players should be chosen on their form not reputation. A number of players have been picked in my opinion automatically regardless of their form.

Anyway team selection is announced today should be interesting. And of course Wales will beat South Africa!

PS. I am not a sports pundit (obviously!!) but love my rugby.

Sea Birds and Colours

This is an old atmospheric watercolour I did of sea birds and sea mist. We are still in the throws of re-decorating and have a lot to do so no opportunity at the moment for a wander into the studio. I do have a new commission on the blocks but there is no rush with that.

Talking of  decorating we had a new radiator fitted yesterday in a room Alex had just repainted throughout. The plumber asked me if we had any of the paint left over as there were marks and holes left from the old radiator.
I had a quick run through the various pots of paint and left him with the appropriate one. I came back a little while later to find a large patch of gloss paint of a similar hue  in the middle of the wall.

Aghh. "I think I gave you the wrong paint." I cried.
"Yes but who is going to tell Alex?" He asked.

We all make mistakes but somehow Alex feels I make more than anyone else. She was quite unimpressed.

Link who remembers Donovan and Joan Baez  ?

Ferryside

Despite all your best efforts to be careful occasionally accidents happen with paintings. This can be a problem.
Take for instance the time when a gallery owner decided to repaint their walls and took down all the paintings. They stacked our paintings face to back. This was okay for the first few paintings but mouldings of the rear ones were scratched by the metal hanging fittings attached to the rear of the paintings. Result half a dozen ruined frames for which we suffered the loss. It was a genuine accident but one that cost us.
We always wrap our paintings to transport them but even so on occasions they can get damaged when hanging them. This happened recently and meant having to repaint the sky on one painting. All good practice for colour matching looking on the bright side.
The painting above is of Ferryside in the sunshine and is available.

Rain on Llansteffan Beach

It seems an appropriate painting for today. I got a bit damp taking Jac out this morning and the dforecast isn't great. Its an old painting and is sold. I am tied up decorating this week!!!

Painting of Brecon Cathedral

I was asked yesterday if I would exhibit in Brecon next year. Whilst we have reduced our exhibitions greatly over the last 2 years I agreed as it was an old friend and it is also raising money for a military charity. I will let you know the details nearer the time.

The painting above is of Brecon Cathedral is sold and was done when I used to exhibit there regularly.

In my previous employment I had many responsibilities and was trained in just about everything from Health and Safety, Project Management to Marketing as well as most policing functions.  I went to various companies to learn marketting from them including British Airways. I digress a bit but I was thinking about how Alex and I had marketed my work over the last 14 years or so. It had either worked very well or we had been incredibly lucky.

Then I thought about the trigger words that worked for Alex:

Maybe: "Organic", "Superfood","Sale", "Shoes".

Yes if she ever saw a label saying "Sale Organic Supefood Shoes" They would be sold before they could be tried on.

For me not so easy maybe:"Real Ale", "Rugby", "Turner" ?

Origin Christmas Card Competition

Origin 23, King Street, Carmarthen is a co-operative of makers and artists from Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion with its shop based in the busy market town of Carmarthen. In the shop you will find a wide range of high quality handcrafted ceramics, glass, jewellery, metal, textiles, wood and cards as well as a wide range of original art work and prints.

The annual Origin design a Christmas Card Competition is now on. The competition is open to all ages and there a re prizes for the winning entries. An entry is only 50p and must be done on the card supplied. To get your entry form call in at Originhttps://www.facebook.com/origincarmarthen/. 

The painting above is one I did last year for the shop display.

Painting of Durham Cathedral and Castle in the early evening

This is the painting I have been working on this week. It is a painting of Durham Cathedral and Castle in the early evening. We used to visit Alex's grandmother in Durham and so we do know the area.

We also have a lot of work to do in the house as we are decorating and having new carpets so everything is up in the air!!

River Towy Merlin's Hill - Commissions

 Here is the finished commissioned painting I posted the first stage of the other day. Generally at this time of year I get people wanting paintings at the last minute before Christmas. Oil paintings take about 3 weeks for me to do and then allow to dry before framing. This year I have been getting orders early which is nice.

If you do want a painting I don't charge a deposit and there is no obligation to purchase. Costs start at £155 for a framed painting 15ins x 13 ins more if it is mounted and framed behind glass.

Advert over!

new commission

This is the opening paragraph, bars, verse, brush strokes of my latest commission. All done fluidly and quickly with a brush using turps and burnt sienna. No graphite pencil to contaminate the oils to follow.


The second act is adding paint with a medium bringing in the differing hues.

Portrait of Alex

Yesterday I picked up a piece of waste primed board the size of a post card and decided to use it on a quick little portrait of Alex.
I could have made it easier on myself by using a bigger board. Getting any facial recognition in a face the size of a twopenny piece is not easy . The main thing was to make the portrait recognisable. The photograph isn't great colour wise as I just stuck my little pocket camera out and took it. Normally I use a tripod etc with my Fuji. Actually my Fuji could be a work of art in itself as it has more paint on it than some paintings.

Anyway if you don't know Alex I can assure you it is a true likeness. If you do know her, well take my word for it. It is her. !!

Painting of Talybont on Usk

This is a painting of the lifting bridge at Talybont on Usk I did a few years back and is sold.
I have an affinity to the canals and explored most of them as a child when we had an old ships lifeboat which my father fitted with an old Austin 8 engine.

I have a new commission to start this weekend.

Watching the tide roll away.

The painting above is one of the commissions I worked on last week. As I have mentioned before I generally don't do figures or portraits any more but this was a special request.

We have grandchildren lodging at present so my painting is pretty much curtailed. It's not that I don't like children, after all I used to go to school with them.
I do find myself mentally drained at times.  Too many questions I don't know the answers to I suppose!

Link

Carmarthen in winter

I had gone 200 yards this morning when the heavens opened. Oh well Jac wasn't bothered. I actually like all the seasons and feel sorry for people with the same weather all year around. The painting above is Carmarthen in the winter and has been hanging over our fireplace for a couple of years.

Grandchildren today.
One of them asked Alex yesterday, "How old are you Nanny? Did Jesus really walk on water?"
Alex, "Erm I'm not quite that old!"

Laugharne morning mist

This is my second nocturne of the week, a painting of "Laugharne morning mist". It is not easy taking a photograph of a dark painting that is still wet but that's the best I can do. I have seen this sight on many occasions in the past as the tide comes in prior to us leaving in our little yacht on the ebb.

This is also on a block canvas which does make life a bit simpler in many ways. (postage, no framing...). I have no real preference either way in regard to whether a painting is better framed or on a deep canvas what matters to me is the picture in it.

Now we have grandchildren ahh...half term...

Painting of Sunset over the Gower

The sunset at Tenby last night reminded me of this painting I did a while back. It was a commission showing the sunset over the Gower from Machynys.

I got a bit of turps in my eye the other day and I don't recommend it. Pretty much better now. Still always serves as a good reminder to be careful with oils and solvents.


Link 

Painting of Llansteffan by moonlight

I have said in recent posts I wished to do a few more nocturnal and late scenes. This is the first painting, Llansteffan by moonlight. I also decided to use up some colours I don't ordinarily include. I have drawfuls of oil paints which are rarely used such as viridian, cadmium red, and vermillion. So I thought I would use up a good quantity of viridian and cadmium red in this ( any two complimentary colours can be the basis for different shades of grey!).

I did it on a good quality deep edge box canvas for a change.

Painting of Oxwich Castle

Here is one of the commissions I have been working on this week. It shows Oxwich Castle on the Gower.

I was painting away merrily the other day when Mrs Cox a.k.a.  Alex came from the office into the studio holding out the palm of her saying,
"Whats this?"

I looked at the blue blotted hand and replied,"I would say it was French Ultramarine."

I got the look that could launch a thousand ships in the opposite direction.

Unfortunately she then looked down at the carpet (Yes I like some comfort in my studio).
 Whats that ? She interrogated.
"Alizarin Crimson?" I ventured.

"That had better not be trodden through the house."
Fortunately the carpet next to the studio is dark red akin to Alizarin Crimson so any paint didn't show..

Ah the hazards of being an artist (or husband).

Our youngest daughter came up with some good news, 25% off 6 bottles of wine in Tesco!!
And we are out going for an Italian..

Link Billy Joel

Nocturns

Following on from yesterdays post here are a few nocturns.  I am starting a new commission today.
We had the AGM of the co-operative last night. Alex has been decorating and Jac is chilled out.

Moonlight

It was still dark when Jac and I went out this morning. Jac and I don't have variations of BST we just have an in built  GMT clock and consequently go out the same time dark or light. The above is a photograph although it could equally make a good painting.

The moon was out and the reservoir was dark but quiet and peaceful. I have been meaning to do some more atmospheric and tonal works but as yet haven't got around to it as I have had other work to do.
I have finished one commission which was a portrait and not something I normally undertake these days. Anyway I did  agree to this one and it is done. I am quite pleased with it and hope the customer is.

Nolton Stables Ponies

The above painting is of onies on Druidstone beach and is sold. It is pretty quiet in the gallery at the moment. I am ticking over however with internet sales and commissions (currently I have two on the go).
I am supposed to be redecorating in the house too but this is taking a bit of a backward step. With the onset of winter I can now at least finally call a halt to cutting the grass!"!

Slippery Sam

The above pic is for Wynne John  who has a wealth of experience as a motorcyclist. My days are long gone in that respect. 

A while back I posted about how Alex and I had been to the TT in 1976 and watched Percy Tait riding the Triumph Trident production racer "Son of Slippery Sam" so called because of it penchant to leave oil over the back wheel with interesting results. Anyway Percy crashed a couple of miles down the road after this position at Badden Bridge.

The story didn't end there as I was contacted by John the owner of Son of Slippery Sam who has something of a collection and interest in Triumph motorcycles to purchase the picture.I include the link to his blog if you are interested in motorcycles and Triumphs in particular. We had 2 Triumphs over the years a Daytona and a 750 Tiger along with a mixture of British and Japanese models including trials bikes.  Often think it would be nice ..but no I'd only fall off and break an arm or leg.


Link Beachboys

Gower

We went to the Gower yesterday. I have a commission to do there so we made the most of the weather and had lunch and a walk on the beach. Jac enjoyed and did a bit of beach combing turning up a frizby and ball. The hardest part is getting him to part with either.  In the above sketch Alex is trying to get the ball from him.

Sunrise over Clee Hill

We recently spent a few days in Ludlow and the skyline was dominated by the view of Clee Hill.
The sun came up behind the hill and gave out some wonderful early morning views. I promised myself I would undertake a painting of it as a reminder, with the mist just starting to clear. So there it is above.
I hold more than a bit of affection for Clee Hill having travelled over it on numerous occasions on our motorbike to visit my parents in Knighton when I was working in Birmingham. My mother also used to teach in the school on Clee Hill for a while.

One day last week during our stay in the camper van I decided to cook Tagliatelle with tomato, black olives, mozzarella and spinach. All went fine despite the lack of space, the sauce was done the tagliatelle was cooked and the wine was open.
I went to drain the tagliatelle and accidently dumped it all in the washing up bowl which was full of suds and crockery. I noted Alex wasn't looking and scooped most of it out and rinsed it before adding it to the sauce.
Did it taste okay? I think so but I had a good mouthful of wine before I got stuck into it.
Did Alex notice ? No.
Did I tell her ?   No.

Short Sunderland

Here is a painting of a Short Sunderland Flying Boat in the Milford haven. It is an old painting and sold. I have done a couple of variations of this plane. I think there is something quite fascinating about them and also appreciate the history of them in the Haven. My father was also in the RAF and was on flying boats in the far east. So occasonally I will delve into something different.