Mike and I went out about 8 am today and walked to the sea front via the park. We had gone there to see if the squirrels were awake, they weren't! It was brighter today and the sea and sky were clear, it has been misty of late.

Then we walked up to the church as Tina was preaching today.

I went to the ladies in the church, and tucked out of sight behind the door was this stained glass window!

Darren joined us at church, Tina's sermon was very good again and she was staying behind for the next service so we had breakfast with Darren. Mike and I walked to the park again, we did manage to feed a few squirrels but the pigeons were out in force and scaring them away.  We came back here and had a cuppa, then Mike got packed and headed off about 1,30 pm so should be well on the way home by now.

We were both up early so out of the house by 7 am to keep disturbing Darren and Tina down to a minimum. Lots of cafes closed but Sunny's was open so we had breakfast there. We caught the bus at 8.45 am and arrived at Whitby about an hour later. The day was grey and the bus windows steamed up but it was entertaining, especially the corners and hills the bus had to negotiate! As I said, it was grey, but the town still looked good.

We wandered around a lot, Mike was surprised that just how many Whitby jet shops there were! The post office was really quaint.

We saw the steps up to the abbey but decided against the climb this time!

We wandered around for hours, having several refreshment breaks. On the was back to the bus station we came down a path that should have been called 'church street'!

We caught the bus back, it really struggled up one of the 25% hills! We wandered through town when we got back, we were glad of a sit down when we arrived here! I took a picture of the lovely tape measure I bought yesterday. It looks like a bell but you use the stem to wind the tape measure back in.

Mike arrived just after 9 am, he had a reasonable journey but a few hold ups on the way. Tina joined us when we went for breakfast. Mike had fetched my case and the amazing amount of things he has made for the bazaar were in there, I will have a great stall! We watch part of the pilot show of Lewis and then went off to the Mere to feed the birds. I had cut up some spare bread earlier.

We had a short walk by the lake, but it was a grey day and then it started to rain. But the misty views were lovely anyway.

Took this one of the swans who came out of the water to see what food was on offer!

After that we had a break at Dean's garden centre, and then Mike thought it would be good to visit Snainton as we were only a few miles away. A very interesting place and plenty of pen supplies for Mike. I bought a great tape measure which looks a bit like a bell, will photograph it for tomorrow's entry. Then off to Sainsbury's for food and some shopping and home to watch the rest of the Lewis episode. We plan to go to Whitby on the bus tomorrow.

I had a good day at the ceramics studio today. Helped out with filling shelves, stock taking and collapsing boxes for the first couple of hours. Managed to get my baubles painted for the hairdresser in the middle of the day.

I think they will be fine when they are glazed and fired. I did washing up and made a couple of drinks for people and then actually set one family up to paint as Sandy was busy doing baby foot and hand prints when they arrived. An enjoyable day. Not so much fun since I got back trying to sort out the bathroom sink which has never drained properly, made plenty of mess using the plunger! At the craft evening yesterday we decorated ready made stockings, which I quite enjoyed, although sewing the items we made onto the front of the stockings was a bit of a challenge!

Off out for a meal at the college this evening with Darren and Tina, cooked by second year students I believe. Just need to cool down a bit after my plunger exertions!! 

I was awake early, made a flask and was out of the house just after 7 am. I was the last one to leave today! I would say I wanted to see the sunrise, but as there was no sun in evidence I was off to see the sea at first light!

It wasn't raining and you couldn't see the spray, but that is obviously what the specks are as the later photos are clear. The surf was yellowed by the sand which made it look dirty!

I walked back through the park and it was well before 8 am but the groundsmen had already been at work.

Saw this moorhen looking for some breakfast!

I had taken peanuts to feed the squirrels but there were none around, gave a few to the ducks who also like them. It began to rain as I walked home. I spent the morning making up some stockings for the bazaar.

I went to the community centre but only stayed an hour as no one arrived for the class. I sat and cut out more stars so the time wasn't wasted. Called in at the ceramics studio on my was back and collected the bauble I had painted for Mike.

Not a very interesting day today. But colonel curled up on my bed so comfortably last night, and so cute, it was a pity to disturb him!

We have missed a parcel being delivered two times now, so Tina and I decided to work it so that one of us was in all day today. So I went out fairly early to use my 'double up' voucher at Sainsbury's and then walked to the community centre to tell them I wouldn't stay for the class today as I needed to be home before Tina went out. I walked a different way to Sainsbury's and passed this primary school with very decorated fences.

I don't think the new route was any quicker, but I got to know a bit more of the town! I took some craft downstairs with me so that I was near the front door if the delivery came while Tina was out. It didn't! But Tina has checked and it should be here by 7 pm, we now think it is for Darren as there was no name of the cards they left. No plans for the rest of the day, but more craft is likely.

I went to the community centre this morning, Diane was in today so I drew a picture of a woodpecker in flight that I bought on Saturday, It was a slightly odd picture and you will see my version later! I did a bit of shopping and went to the post office to send a parcel and then walked up to the art class where I tried painting the woodpecker.

Leaving the art class there was a flock of birds around a steeple, took several pictures.

Then the sky over Sainsbury's was attractive.

I did a double up with my Sainsbury's points and you had to use the vouchers by tomorrow evening so got a couple of large bath towels and a set of dvds. I still have a clothes on to spend so will go again tomorrow. With the art stuff, normal shopping and the extras I had quite a lot to pull and carry home, but my legs weren't too bad today.

I am home again, it has been a really good weekend. When I was unpacking on Friday evening the cats soon made themselves at home!

After breakfast with Angie on Saturday morning I spent the day with Anya and Isobel and we went for a look round at the Sandy RSPB reserve at Sandy where Anya now works. We went on the nature trail and were given a sheet of fungi to find.

We carried on through the grounds and stopped at the lovely memorial garden.

Then we walked on to the formal gardens and RSPB buildings.

A closer look at that amazing tree.

Quite a view from the edge of the grounds.

Got Isobel to stand in front of this enormous evergreen tree.

In the evening Anya and Isobel came to Clare's with me so that Isobel and Macey had some time together. Clare had plans to go out, so I got Macey ready for bed and eventually got her to bed once they went home. Today I visited the old ladies in Eye, met Mike for lunch and we called in on Michelle briefly then spent some time with my sister and niece. I had to stand on the train from Peterborough, but got a nice seat on the replacement bus from York and was home in good time,. Really pleased to hear that Lewis is world champion!

Had a lovely day. Breakfast with Angie and then off to Anya' s. Went to Anya' s New workplace with Anya and Isobel. We walked around the lovely grounds and did a fungus spotting quiz as we went. Took lots of photos which I will post tomorrow or Monday. Anya and Isobel came back to Clare' s for a while and I have now got Macey to bed as Clare had made plans to go out tonight.

Travelled to Peterborough this morning. Good journey. Spent the afternoon with Rachel and staying with Clare tonight. The cats are asleep in my case, have taken a picture and will post it when I am on the laptop.

Quite a busy day, Tina came with me when I went to meet Jenny at the art college. Jenny was telling everyone that I was interested in the foundation course, which isn't strictly true, I had just asked if they did any other courses apart from the degrees. Lots of modern art work and young with it artists. some mature students as well, but the building is old with endless stairs. So plenty to think about. We think the building was probably a school, would be good to do a sketch of.

We went and had lunch at a nice little tea room and then went into a large shop called Proudfoot. We got some good bargains there. Then Tina dropped me off at the hairdressers. I had some foils put in and this time I am really pleased with the colour. I was telling Joanne, the hairdresser, about the ceramic studio, and as I had plates to collect she said she would come over with me. She had thought it was just for children. She asked them about getting a paw print panel from the puppy she has. They were keen to do it, their first one. A picture of Joanne with Betsy!

Joanne is a truly delightful young woman. She also has asked me to paint a couple of baubles for her, so another visit for me, which is always good. I took pictures of my plates but they have asked if they can keep them on display, so haven't got them at home yet.

Last night at the craft class we made a decoration and a stocking, and when I got home I finished the tree I had started last week.

I am away at the weekend and as I am taking presents to deliver will not take the laptop, so probably won't be adding to the blog until Sunday night or even Monday.

Last night I made some stars from music sheets for the Christmas bazaar. I will add the picture later as I did a couple of different ones this afternoon. This morning I had quite a bit of shopping to get, bags for presents and extra bits to take with me when I am away at the weekend, Then went off to the community centre to see if anyone arrived for craft. They didn't, but I continued with the stars so it wasn't wasted time, and I get on well with the other volunteers and staff. It seems to be rainbow central there! Today it was the turn of the castle to be bathed in it's light.

Had to go outside and get wet, because it was a full arch of a rainbow, I haven't seen one of those in a while.

I called into the hairdressers on the way back, have made an appointment for tomorrow. Also called into the ceramics studio, my plates have been glazed and fired but are still cooling in the kiln, so I will collect them tomorrow. I put glitter, not a lot, on some of the stars last night, and today I made a couple with maps, but they are not finished yet.

Will write my entry earlier today, as am planning to make paper Christmas decorations for the bazaar this afternoon. I went to the 'different' painting group. Today Jenny had brought in different sponges, a cork, curtain ring and some squared netting for us to try using things other that brushes to make abstract, or in my case, not quite so abstract pictures. I did three different images:

Jenny also had some Das which was going a little hard so made a flower to paint next week.

Jenny finished her degree last year and was telling me about the college. I am meeting her there on Thursday to have a look round and see what the requirements are for the foundation course. After lunch I went off armed with nuts to feed the squirrels and have a walk by the sea while the weather is still reasonable. Not so much fun feeding the squirrels today as the pigeons were being particularly aggressive and frightening them off! Got a good picture of this little chap though.

The sea was quite choppy today and as you may of guessed I cannot resist taking pictures!

Then, in what looked like a very cold and unwelcoming sea there was a mad surfer!

Lastly, I like Turner paintings, and love a Turner moon. This looks like it but is actually the sun.