Tina and I went to the auction room before 9 am, but we had the timings wrong and the sale didn't start until 11 am! So we had breakfast and then went out own way. I went off to the ceramic studio and Tina to support a parishioner at a snooker marathon. Tina knew the things I was interested in at the auction and was going back to bid for her things and on my behalf. Busy at the studio, I covered for a while when Sandy took her mum and brother to bingo, then we had two parties in the studio and people in to paint in between as well. A long and tiring day. I took a picture of the pen pot as I was back there.

Nothing like a spider, but you get the idea! Tina sent a text to say that I had won the three items I was interested in. One lot, a walnut book rack, a little cabinet and a great little table with a lift off tray. Only a picture of the tray table at the moment as it is the only one of the three that made it upstairs! Darren and I went to get a few things at Sainsbury's and now I am home and shattered!

A heavy frost and quite icy here this morning. Tina took me to the ceramic studio where Sandy wanted me to keep the shop open while she went to a centre for the disabled where they do some painting. No one came in and I painted a pen pot which I didn't take a picture of. Last night I decided to make a patchwork table mat, did a bit to it this morning, but it is not finished yet so will take a picture of that when it is completed. I did get to see the plate with pansies that I did at the weekend and am really pleased with how it turned out. 

I think I will use this plate for my breakfast toast! Also the figurine is now glazed and fired. She will remain at the shop for a while as I display piece, but I intend that she will be coming home with me before too long!

I went to the community centre to hand in information and the form so that they can do my police check, then into town to buy some binding and canvases for Tina to make message boards for the church bazaar. It was a beautiful afternoon so Tina and I decided to go to the park and feed the squirrels, Darren came home unexpectedly early and joined us! The lake was frozen so the birds were 'on the water' so to speak!

Not too many squirrels around today, and thankfully, not too many pigeons either. This one looked cute eating his peanut on the owl statue.

Helping out with two parties at the studio tomorrow as Donna is still not well at all.

I stuck the shells down on the seahorse last night, and this morning they had all stayed put and I was able to hang it up!

This morning Tina dropped me off at the community centre where I went to support a new volunteer, Lucy, at her sewing class. The others were working in felt today, but I made a little material bird.

John picked me up at lunchtime and we drove out to Thornton-le-dale for lunch at The Lavenders tea room. A very pretty little place.

It was snowing on the way there but had brightened up by the time we had eaten. There were some great painting hanging in the room we ate it.

A couple of views of the town.

After that we went to Scarborough art gallery and saw the exhibits by the group at the community centre and also looked at the East Coast Open Exhibition and John had a couple of abstracts there. I felt a bit woozy and faint on and off this afternoon, so am hoping it will pass and not develop!

Not a bad day. The wind is up and for a while the rain was torrential this morning, but it had cleared up by the time I was off to the community centre. Last night I used tissues to cover the canvas that I am going to make a seahorse picture on.

Then I had a play with the shells I had bought but haven't stuck them down yet, Bought a few more small ones at the market this afternoon.

The group went well this afternoon, we have a real laugh now that we know each other better. They have lots of new ideas for further button pictures. Norma was pleased with her work this afternoon.

I called in at the studio on the way home and the figurine has been glazed so will go in the kiln tonight, may be ready when I call in on Friday. The wind was bitter walking home and it is sounding ferocious now, so glad that I am not going to the craft class this week.

It has been a glorious day and I managed to make the most of it having a very enjoyable walk around. I went into town to look for coloured tissues to use on my canvas and to get some liquid paraffin for Tina as the vet said it might help Colonel go to the loo more easily. I had thought I might make my seahorse out of sea shells rather than buttons, and thought I might get some on the front so walked down to the South Bay via the Rotunda museum.

I sat on one of the sheltered seats for a rest and enjoyed looking at the South Bay.

I walked right along the bay and did manage to buy some shells, although not many shops were open. Near the harbour I got an ice cream and sat on a bench in the sunshine, it was glorious. Two ladies went by and I told them where I got the ice cream and they joined me. We sat out of the wind and it was really like a Spring day!

I thin took the steps up the cliff towards the castle. Still a truly lovely day. Took a picture of St.Mary's across the rooftops.

Then I cut through to the cliff top above the North Bay.

There were a group of surfers in the sea, bet it was cold out there!

I had a really good time out, since back Tina and I have been to Sainsbury's to get lots of cleaning materials as they had an offer to get 10p litre off petrol. My ankle aches a bit but I will rest it up this evening. I put the slow cooker on this morning, so dinner is smelling good!

Went off to take the Monday morning group for the last time. It went very well today and Edward worked very well with his support worker. Making a button canvas and it is going to be a record. He does work as a DJ for friends and groups, so a very good suggestion from his support worker.

He more or less finished the disc, he will decide on an interesting label next week. Linda was sticking tiny beads into the gaps on her seahorse.

She brought the silhouette of the seahorse as she knows I am intending to make one. I walked through town and wandered down a different road and took a photo.

I walked up to the Westborough Methodist church to leave a note for the lady who takes the class there as I have decided not to go any more. Then walked home, had a quick drink with Tina and then we went and did a bit of grocery shopping. I have watched the last Lynley, a shame that they are finished but as I am feeling a lot better may actually get back to doing something more constructive!

Fairly quiet and easy day today. I did go up to the ceramic studio for 10 am and today spent just over a couple of hours painting pansies on a plate. Not a pre-moulded plate, a plain one which I loosely drew the pansies on. It was enjoyable doing something of my own design and not so intricate. I enjoyed the figurine, but it was very fiddly and needed to be very precise.

Came home in time to see if I could help; with dinner, but Tina was well in control and we all had a lovely meal. I have watched another dvd, only one more Lynley to go now, I have thoroughly enjoyed them The clouds and sky were attractive, not sunset, just a winter afternoon sky. I will just print one so as not to bore the socks off you!

Going to play some music and write some letters now, and get the bag ready for the group tomorrow morning. 

I was up early and wrote a couple of letters, when I went down to post them took a picture of Darren's newly acquired works van, the fact that it is causing more headaches than help is another story!

Said van wouldn't start, so had to wait for the RAC so that it could be taken for a service. I did the RSPB Big Garden  Birdwatch while we waited. First time for me because I had no birds to count in Peterborough. When the van was going I went with Darren to Halfords and Tina followed on behind and we all had breakfast at Deans. Back home I took myself to town, called in to say hello at the studio and said I would be in to paint tomorrow. Then walked through town, picking up a few things. The Living Statues were back, so I took a picture of the other one.

I was then off to Sainsbury's, went into the little park area opposite the station and took a picture of a pigeon in the flower bed.

Came home in a taxi with my shopping. Tina was out as she had an appointment and Darren, bless him, was off to walk and collect the van, which hadn't really been sorted, although serviced. He called a bit later to say that it wouldn't start at the garage, they got it going and suggested he took it for a longer drive. So he swung by and picked me up, I made his a flask of coffee, and we had a little sping out on the coast road. Where we stopped in a lay-by there was a proverbial black sheep in a field!

The last picture is for Mike, as I know how much he loves telegraph poles and wires in general enhancing the countryside - it is also a bit arty!!

Beginning to feel much better which is good. I walked up to the studio today and after another couple of hours the figurine is finished! Probably won't be glazed and fired until Wednesday si will get to see the finished article next weekend.

I walked through the town and home, so a longer walk than I have managed in a while, and not too exhausted! I watched a dvd this afternoon and then stirred myself to do some polishing and hoovering, so definitely feeling more human. I finished the Proggy Pig last night, I won't be making any more Proggies believe me. I have photographed it with the picture on the  instruction sheet.

I really didn't feel like going to the craft class yesterday evening, but as Tina was coming and we drove and parked right outside off we went. It was actually really warm in there and I perked up during the evening and really enjoyed making the message board. We also made little matching ones to perhaps keep stamps in!

This morning, after a reasonable night, I was feeling a little more human! Tina and I went into town in the car, had a drink and cake and then did a bit of shopping together. Then we went out own ways and I took a gentle walk to the ceramic studio. Lovely to see the ladies there as I haven't been in since Friday. Found out it is Sandy's birthday tomorrow and her daughter brought in a cake!

I did another couple of hours painting on the figurine, the flowers are now coloured. Just the head-dress, neck decoration of the dress and the plinth to go! You never know, may finish her next time, but the head-dress and collar are very detailed.

I am feeling more like 'doing stuff' and have been getting on with the Proggy Pig, may even finish it tonight.

Still waiting to feel a bit better, so stayed in this morning and booked a taxi to go to the afternoon class. I was there and set up before the four ladies arrived. One wanted a little advice and one who has learning difficulties a little support. but on the whole they are an easy group to work with. Their ideas, and what they are creating, are really lovely.

These are both the work on one lady, she painted the tree on a canvas and then continued with her flower which is very attractive. She has decided what season the tree will be, but she will decorate it with buttons and beads.

The other ladies were making these, both brilliant, but  I really want to make a seahorse myself, fabulous. Tina is coming with me to the evening class and will drive, so that I will not be out walking as it is turning colder.

Phoned the surgery this morning, the receptionist was as you would expect, but the nurse who phoned me back was lovely, made me a prompt appointment, and the doctor was equally lovely. Said she could hear the infection  rattling round my chest and prescribed a seven day course of strong antibiotics. I have watched dvds and was really tired this morning but managed to stay awake. Tina went and got my prescription made up straight away, so have had two of the three tablets allowed today. Haven't been out, or done much. But at the weekend I bought a 'Bobble' drink bottle at PC world. I have used water filters indoors for years and this is a sport bottle to filter tap water as you drink it! The filters are supposed to last for about 2 months or 40 gallons. I found the filters on Ebay pretty cheap, so hopefully it will encourage me to drink more water, rather that gallons of water in tea!

Should be okay to take the class tomorrow afternoon, fingers crossed.

I didn't sleep too badly but went down to the doctors to see if I could make an appointment. Well, pretty much a waste of time, one doctor on maternity leave and one phoned in sick. No general appointments until next week, so can phone in the morning to talk to a triage nurse, and if they think it necessary will make me an appointment! I'll see how I feel in the morning. I took my time and walked to the community centre, four people today and a lively group, well, five with Edwards support worker who joined in. I came straight home, again slowly, don't feel too bad just not a lot of energy. Tina got home about the same time and as it was a really lovely, fairly windless day we decided to go to the Watermark cafe and have lunch. But a lot of other people had the same idea and it was heaving! So we went off to The Coast cafe and that is closed on a Monday. Good plan so far! Off to Proudfoot where we bought bacon bagettes and then drove back to the sea front. I took a picture of North Bay before we went for the drive.

The skies were interesting when we were driving about and the camera was handy!

Then, after we had eaten out snack I took some pictures of the sea (for a change) as, although it was not windy the waves were crashing quite dramatically.

Didn't go to the afternoon group, watched a dvd and have kept on with the Lemsips today.

Was off colour again last night, couldn't get warm, but managed to have a pretty good night. Decided to stay in today, recipe of dvds and Lemsips! Apart from topping up the bird feeders I haven't been outside, it has been a bright, sunny day and hardly any wind. It was quite a heavy frost, didn't take this picture until after 8 am.

Darren's workshop looks different with the nets, and it will seem less exposed when he is working out their in the evening. Bird feeder still fine, but it hasn't been tested by any real wind since I tried to prop it up!

A little while ago these two seagulls looked like they were putting the world to rights on the rooftop over the road!

Right, another hot drink and another dvd I think, having a lovely and seriously lazy day! Tina got lunch so haven't even got to be bothered about getting something to eat - lovely!

Last night I had a text from Sandy at the studio to say they had 'misplaced' their metal, circular pastry cutter. They use them to make pendants etc in clay. I set off to town this morning starting at one end and trying every shop I could think of, eventually finding a whole set, rather that the one they were missing in Debenhams! There had been a smattering of snow and some of the paths were a bit slippery, so I got to try the overshoe grip things that Tina had ordered. I think they worked quite well, but it wasn't icy, so time will tell. The South Bay looked wintry.

Two of the 'living statues' were setting up in town, really not a great day for standing still for hours. Took a picture of one and then, yes, did put a coin in her pot!

When I got home Darren had taken a photo and told me not to be angry! I was saying before I went out that the pigeons landing on the feeder were not helping the situation!

Couldn't really be angry, bird food is bird food I guess! Darren and I went to PC world as I thought there was a problem with my camera, but it had righted itself. Then we went to the pet store to get cat food and to Dunelms to get net and wires to put up in Darren workshop. Then we had lunch a Deans and did some shopping at Tesco's. When we got back, after a cuppa, we went and fitted the nets, so he doesn't feel quite so exposed when he is out there in the evening. Quite a busy day, so nice cup of tea and feet up I think.