Last night I finished the edging on the table mats I started a good while ago. Better corners on the later ones, so another skill sort of mastered!

It was a nice day and I had decided to go to The Mere on the bus and have a walk round and maybe do a sketch. Was at the bus stop in good time, but the bus went sailing by even though there were two of us at the stop! The information place wasn't open and the girl at the station said she knew nothing about the buses. Had to think of a quick plan B and crossed the road and caught a but to Filey instead. I turned down a different road once there as there was a sign to a park with facilities, but after a good while it was nowhere to be seen, so obviously a sign for drivers, Passed a nice , compact church building.

Then walked along a road towards the front with very strange walls to the small gardens.

There was a lovely shaded walk down to the promenade.

With some gorgeous flowers.

And...Filey has lots of steps too!

I walked along the front and was looking for something to sketch. There was a garden near the front where I could sit with my back to the sun. Took quite a while as I had a very sore bottom when I had finished!

It is a steep hill going back to the town. I made it without being too puffed out, so signs of improvement there! This was looking back down.

Back in Scarborough there were some native American buskers in very colourful outfits attracting quite a lot of attention.

I watered the gardens when I got home and don't plan to do a lot this evening. May watch some of the Grand Prix. I had a sore throat when I got up and am developing a cold, any excuse not to be busy!!

Last night a spectacular sky again.

I slept in late for me today, and then had a pretty easy morning. Last night I finished off two more of the table mats that I started ages ago, but didn't have enough bias binding for the last one, so went and bought some more. I will take a picture when the set is complete. I got the corners better last night! I had a bit of a walk to look at the south bay and then went to the studio. I collected the plates I did with the Sharpie pen a while ago. They turned out pretty well and it is easier to do the drawing first and then the colour.

I used the pens again to decorate a dinner plate this time, I am going to make myself a hand decorated set of crockery, bit by bit!

I helped out with a party at the studio. Eight seven year old girls. They were very good but it all got very noisy at the end!

I haven't done a great deal today. The weather started off damp and cool but we have had lots of sunshine and it became really humid. I called in at the studio but my plates were still in the kiln, so I will get to see them tomorrow. I helped Sandra put some stuff out in the shop, which is looking really attractive now. I sent off a parcel and had a quick look round this weeks auction viewing day then came home. The tamarix tree is flowering now, I think it is such a pretty blossom, very fine like feathers.

I had a late birthday present of a bee/insect house and fitted it onto a fence in the back garden.

I took a walk down to the front this afternoon and had an ice cream by the sea! Quite a few families there with young children enjoying the glorious sunshine. But not all the people enjoying the day were young!

This morning the three of us had breakfast together again then Mike and I took a trip out, to Dean's Garden Centre first where I got some more wild bird seed as I was getting low. The we headed of to go up Oliver's Mount, which we eventually got to as I sent him the wrong way to start with! The weather was glorious today, sunny and not too much wind. The views from there are very impressive.

Another one of the town through the trees.

On the way down we decided to go and have walk round The Mere. Lots of birds and babies as usual of late, and snoozing in the warm sunshine.

Walking round we saw a swan with young cygnets.

We saw tadpoles when I went with Anya and isobel but the photos were really poor. A little better this time but there was quite a current in the water.

We went by a swan preening that took absolutely no notice of us!

The lily pads and plants under the clear water looked striking in the sunlight.

After that we did a bit of shopping and had lunch. Mike is now on his way home. I have written a letter and had a chat with Tina who has returned from Mirfield. A quiet evening ahead.

Much less energetic day today, for me anyway. When I was feeding the birds there was a different little spider in there. Took three attempts to get him in focus!

We had breakfast with Darren and then Mike and I wandered into town. General browsing and he look at several pairs of boots in different shops as he wants a new pair for his walks. It a fancy sweet shop we saw this castle in the window.

 Then took a picture of the actual castle.

While I did button group Mike went off for a really long walk which he enjoyed. Sue finished her canvas with all the paper flowers she has been making for some time. she was really delighted with it.

I had been sitting twiddling my thumbs, so did a quick drawing of two of the paper flowers!

We went out for tea which was a bit disastrous, bad service and waited for ages. Mike has taken himself off for another short walk before we settle for the evening.

This morning Mike arrived just before 9 am and then he, Darren and I went for breakfast at the cafe up the road. Mike and I set off just to wander round starting with a look at the sea, then we called in and saw Sandy at the studio. We walked up towards the castle and then down through Royal Albert Park and onto the front where we walked round to the South Bay. Tried to take some pics of the nesting birds.

We walked all the way along to the Spa End and up to the Clock Cafe. Then went up the cliff left to the esplanade. Good view of the castle from the top.

We walked along towards the Spa Bridge and I started to get a funny pain in my ankle so we stopped at the lift top cafe for a cuppa and rest and mist a very gusty wet shower. Took a picture from the window.

We then headed home, passed these really pretty flowers along North Marine Drive.

This morning I walked along the cliff top on my way to the church to go and see the flower festival. Slightly different angle on a castle picture.

The flower festival was pretty impressive, twenty two entries but will just post a few. The theme was 'People of the Bible'. This one was' Cain and Abel', not sure about the connection but liked the display.

This one was 'Joseph, Coat of Many Colours'.

The next two were both striking, 'The Annunciation'.

'Water from the Rock (Moses).

I had a drink and scone at the church then went into town where I bought quite a few black, white and grey beads as I am going to try and do a monochrome portrait in beads at the button group. A couple of pieces were finished, they always make sure I get to see them, even if they have done the final work at home!

I had four attempts at drawing the portrait so didn't get too far with the beads!!