Seems to have been a fairly full day. though not a lot of photo taking. But first things first, last night's sunset.

This morning I thought I would have a go at making a Simnel cake, I have made them before but not in this oven! Quite a long preparation and three and a half hours in the oven, it smelt good so hopefully it will taste okay. I watched an episode of Morse while it was cooking.
I went out with Tina to take Blue to the vet to be weighted. We called and called, out the back and the front, Tina eventually found her snuggled in the kennel happily ignoring us! She wasn't too happy at being put in the pet carrier and taken for a ride in the car. Her weight is now over four kilos so she needs to have the stronger flea treatment drops.
Tina dropped me off at the studio, I had promised to sharpen the pencils for them, which I did, but I took my own sharpener because theirs is useless! Also collected my cute little hedgehog ornament. I am putting two pictures as I like the effect I got on the back.

I walked home today, took it easy and it is pretty much all downhill. Sandra was on her own in the quilting shop so had a natter with her for half an hour which was really nice. Had an hour sitting when I got home and then got tea for the three of us. Haven't been doing the meals lately as standing around is still quite difficult, but we had a nice meal and I will start to prepare them occasionally again now.

A final picture of the sunset from last night.

I worked on the jigsaw a bit this morning. Have taken the fourth wedge out of the boot, last one out on Easter Saturday I think. Darren and I left a bit before 10 am and shopped at Lidl and Sainsbury's. I didn't use the crutch in the shops as I can manage if I am pushing the trolley. I was really tired when I got back, in fact, by the time I got upstairs I had what I presume is the closest thing I have ever had to palpitations!! Took quite a while for me to get rid of the heartbeat in my head and everywhere else.....I got a cold drink and decided to get on with the jigsaw, about three hours later I hadn't moved from the spot but the puzzle was finished.

Really like this 'arty' Mona Lisa, and I enjoyed this puzzle. It has been a beautiful day so thought I would walk into the park.
The pansies are beginning to look pretty in the garden, but  by the look of them the yellow ones are proving very tasty for an insect friend!

 I got into the start of the glen and sat down on a couple of different benches. The reflections were great today.

Had another sit down in the park and took a picture of the pagoda. I am hoping the island will be open again soon.

I think there will be a nice sunset again. but it is just blinding at the moment. So there maybe a picture on the blog tomorrow.

After the church sale a couple of weeks ago Tina and Darren came home with a jigsaw for me. Given to them, for me, by a lady who I had donated a lot of knitting wool to. I started it last night, did the edges, I think this one is going to be enjoyable.

The sunset last night progressed to be really great.

Darren, Tina and I had arranged to go and have lunch at Irton garden centre today. I wanted some pots and compost as I am expecting a couple of trees to be delivered next week, and Tina wanted a cat grooming mitt like one of her friends had purchased. But before that I had a couple of packages to send so caught the bus to town. This man was cleaning the windows on one of the B&B's and I was amazed at how much control he had and what a good job he was doing.

I caught the bus home before we were due to set off. I did buy a couple of pots but will take a photo once they are planted up. Tina dropped me off in town on the way back as I had seen a funky case that I wanted to buy for my shorter trips. I carried it to the studio and spent a while with Donna and Sandy before Sandy gave me a lift home. When I unpacked the case, which wasn't the cheapest one I had seen but I really loved it, to my surprise there was a matching rucksack inside which actually made it quite a bargain!

How much fun are they? I have done a bit more to the jigsaw today, it really is a fun one to do.

A very different sky tonight, but still great.

I'll start with the last picture I took of the sky last night.

Sandy collected me on her way to the studio this morning. I spent getting on for three hours cleaning and filling the paint pots, and washed out the large empty ones. Although they are empty they need a good clean as the paint is caked to the inside of the container. There were a couple of students in, painting presents. they were on holiday and had been in last year. One of them wanted help with art work, and as Donna isn't in on a Tuesday I ended up copying an army cadet badge onto a plate for her to paint! The coil bowl and hedgehog I made last week is dry now and not cracked at the moment. When the other clay items are dry enough they will be biscuit fired and then I will be able to paint them.

I walked into town from the studio, passed this beautiful bush by one of the car parks.

I want a smaller case that has all direction wheels for my shorter trips away. I checked out a few and I think I have made up my mind which one I will buy. Caught the bus home and after quite a bit of walking around town I felt quite tired so haven't done a great deal this afternoon. 
I will be watching Holby this evening which I enjoy. I may watch another episode of River as well. Loved the cloud formation in this picture this evening.

Then it became dramatic!!

This morning I set off fairly early to catch the bus to town, then was catching another one to the hospital for my physio appointment. Something has taken a fancy to the daffodils and don't think I can blame the slugs for this attack!

I was seen on time for my appointment. Not a lot to do really. Can't take the boot off completely until I have seen the consultant, then I have another physio appointment for the week after that. I have got to point my toe down less, oops, have been going way too far, but told him it didn't hurt!! I have one of the elastic band strips now to start adding some resistance exercises. He changed the first one I tried for one with more resistance, so will get on with that.
I was out in good time and Tina came across to pick me up so that I could go along with her to Hull. She had an afternoon training session and I was able to see the poppies displayed at the Maritime museum. I have had real difficulty deciding on which photos to use, so I am afraid it will be a few. This display is called Weeping Window.

Included the last one as the building itself is rather striking. I went into the art gallery, didn't do too much walking around as I was feeling tired, but this display was fascinating. I am putting the description before the exhibit.

Had to have the lions as this is the one painting that I remember from the gallery!

These engraving on sperm whale teeth were just amazing.

Tina finished in good time and we had a straightforward journey home. It has been a beautiful day and I am very fond of Hull so good to be there for a while.

Didn't feel too lively first thing, but did shower and do a few chores. Will be glad when I am showering without the boot wrapped in a bit liner!! Got the veg ready for lunch and thought about going out but then decided to get a few tools and try and tidy up the front garden a bit. It is dandelion heaven at the moment, but not that attractive to look at!

Apart from being awkward and cumbersome the boot complicates everything. So, plastic bag and elastic came to the rescue today!

Spent maybe an hour, moved the black bin near to the edge of the garden and managed to throw most of the weeds into it so that I didn't have too much on the path. There is a bit of difference and at least not so many dandelion heads to go to seed!

In the back the acers that had as good as died off, not liking the wind in this garden, seem to be reviving a bit now they are down be the house and a bit sheltered.

The bonsai trees all seem to have made it through the winter and are beginning to bud.

This shrub always looks great when it gets te new bright leaves.

Tina and I had a very nice lunch with lots of green vegetables, no prizes for guessing Darren wasn't eating with us. This afternoon I watched another Morse and then, having cleaned out one of my 'posh' fountain pens, thought I would sketch the peace lily.

Will probably watch Vera later. Anya recommended a series called River which is on Netflix. Watched the first episode and it seems very different, so will be interesting to see how it develops.
Lets finish off with tonight's sky, I know some people like them!

I sorted out some sketching stuff and got my new little rucksack packed, including some coffee in a flask. I have decided to get back into sketching buildings again this year, as I used to be pretty good at them. I caught the bus into town and walked along to the Victoria statue overlooking the south bay. It began to rain when I got there so I had a cup of tea in the cafe by the cliff lift while I waited. Hadn't been in there before so another one ticked off. The Victoria statue is really overdue for a good clean, such a pity.

The sun was trying to come out for a while so the south bay looked attractive through the trees.

I only had a small pad with me so had to scale down the building I was drawing. It is the end of the town hall and I am quite pleased with it. Used pencil today even though I had gone to the trouble of cleaning out a fountain pen earlier!

I mentioned getting a proving bowl yesterday, so have taken a photo of it now, still thinking I will make some hot cross buns.

Felt tired again when I got home so watch another episode of Morse. Then cleaned up the area where I make tea as it was getting a bit overrun with stuff! Darren is away this weekend and I made a pasta bake for Tina and I for out dinner this evening. Bit of Casualty now!