Today the wind was up and very strong today. I didn't want to go out but we had been asked to go to the community centre to get secure emails for correspondence from the base. Before that I started trying to get the tension right on the hand machine, I had spent a good part of yesterday evening not getting it right! I have to wind the bobbins on the electric machine at the moment as the washer that connects with the handle on the manual machine is perished. I did get the tension right and last night I had made a pattern to make a simple cover for the electric machine. So, I made a start, then went off to the community centre, nearly got blown there the wind was so strong. Wasn't there long as they have emailed details to me so that Darren can set up the new email for me here at home. I went to Boyes and got a wire brush, sandpaper and beeswax so that I could make a start on improving the case and base of the machine. Called in at the studio briefly on my way back and since then have spent the rest of the day sewing and polishing! I finished the machine cover for the electric machine and also a bag for the foot pedal and cable.Here I am busy at work!

The finished articles, I really enjoyed making them.

When I first got the machine I did use wipes for wood to clean up the case as it was really filthy, but although better it was dull and looked like it had been in a garage for ever!

I have used three coats of beeswax so far, and it is beginning to look much better. Strong aroma around the place as well.....

Best go and clear up the mayhem of cottons and material now!

I changed my bed this morning and had to remove Colonel five times, he wasn't taking no for an answer! I put him on when I finished and he settled happily!

Then he decided that he wanted a change of scene and curled up in what used to be my laundry basket!

Today is solar partial eclipse day and it was cloudy so thought we were going to miss out here in Scarborough. I went into the bedroom and it was happening so rushed off for the camera. Through the window, but quite good shots.

I went off for a walk, it brightened up and the sun came out. There was a colourful flower display round the Victoria statue above South Bay.

The view was misty over the bay, a lovely morning.

I walked onto the Spa bridge and again the view was lovely this morning.

Quite a bit of this post relates to yesterday evening. I went to the craft class and we made Easter wreaths. It was a pleasant evening, just me and two Sandras.

Before I went to the class I decided to have a go at an acrylic painting of flowers, as I have quite a lot at the moment. I didn't draw the flowers first just decided to go straight in with the paints. I am quite enjoying the acrylics.

I have been bidding on hand sewing machines and at the weekend won one. When I got home from the class it had arrived. The woodwork isn't great and needs quite a lot of restoring, but after playing for a bit and using new cotton it works fine. I used to use one over 50 years ago, and it is very soothing to use. I need to made a cover for my electric machine so have material and will make it using the old Singer machine.

This morning Tina and I both went up to the ceramic studio, Tina did some painting and I manned the shop while Sandy went off to take a group at a local care home. My spider plates were out of the kiln and the silver looks grey, so a little disappointing, but the plates look good anyway.

I had painted a jug as well but it was lower down in the kiln and not unloaded before we left. We came home for the car, collected some parcels and went to the material shop, where I bought some to make a cover for the electric machine. The we had lunch at Sainsbury's. doubled up some points and did some shopping. After we had unloaded the shopping Tina dropped me off at the ceramic studio and opposite the hairdressers. I collected the jug, didn't photograph it before as it was a surprise for Tina. It is a little cream just and says 'More cream vicar?' The colours were left over from someone who had been in to paint last week and it needed using up.

Then I crossed over and have had my hair cut and coloured. Tonight I will clean up the hand sewing machine and maybe make a pattern for the cover.

The front garden is beginning to look quite pretty, a big change from all that reedy stuff that filled it when we arrived.

I went to the ceramic studio, thought I would carry on with the honey pot. Donna had the Diddy Doodler session where she reads a story to toddlers and then they paint a tile or today it was an egg cup.

I finished the honey pot and used a little of the gold paint, so another experiment really. The spider plates with the silver are in the kiln now, so we will see what they are like soon!

Then off to the button group. only three ladies today but an enjoyable afternoon. The dragonfly is progressing.

The paper patchwork picture is complete. the ladies are full of ideas.

Off to make an Easter wreath this evening!

Felt like getting out of Scarborough for a change this morning so caught the 10 am train to Driffield. I think I may have been there many years ago but not since I lived here or for years previous. The train journey was pretty, with rolling hills and occasional glimpses of the sea, took about an hour. I saw three separate pheasants in the fields on the way, and a single one and a pair on the way home which was lovely. Took a few pics in Driffield, although nothing really outstanding in the parts I saw.

The town clock was unusual, couldn't really call it a clock tower!

I did a small pencil sketch sitting near the clock. Have put the pencil by the side so you can see it is a small pad that I used.

A local man came and had a look, said he liked it and would recognise it if I wasn't sitting there, that was encouraging! Passed this barbers shop,

had juke boxes and all sorts inside, and just up the road there was a sign 'To the Silent Barber'! The station is small, had no loos but did have a nice flower display, chained up in case they walked away!

I did another quick sketch outside the station and one of bikes on the opposite platform while I waited for the train.

Don't know why it is sideways, and can't figure out how to turn it on the blog, sorry. 

This morning I took myself to the Sea Life centre, it was a damp morning but fancied seeing the otters etc again while it is term time. The walk there was pleasant through Peasholm Park and then the last part on the sea front. Not sure what this is but it was in a tank as I entered.

Then this huge shell creature a bit further on!

I took lots of pics of the otters again but will just post a couple.

The seals popped up to say hello as I went by, they make a really cute noise!

Managed to get one half decent picture of the large spectacular seahorse.

Then a more traditional looking seahorse!

Walking home I tried catching pictures of the sea spray again, harder than it seems to click at the right moment!!

It brightened up for a while this afternoon so went out and took some close ups of the willow.

Mothering Sunday today. Not the best start when I went out to top up the bird feeders and realised that one of the cats in the area had caught one of the blackbirds. But there haven't been many casualties I suppose. Darren and Tina gave me the silly present of the day, made me smile though!

They bought it at the Science Fiction show yesterday. Darren and I walked up to the church to go to the Mothering Sunday service, I took a picture of the south bay.

The service was lovely and Tina gave the sermon. Refreshments were served at the end of the service, then Darren and I walked home along the gift top again. The north bay was lovely in the sunshine.

Darren got dinner for us which was a treat. I have watched The Imitation Game this afternoon, I cried and thought it was very good. Darren and I took a trip out as I have been thinking about getting a little laptop that I can take with me when I go away for the weekend. I have taken this one a couple of times but it is big and difficult to keep safe in my smaller case. So now I have a little Chromebook. It was easy to set up and is like a smaller version of what I am used to.