Can't seem to fit everything into my day anymore.

Another study of Vane Tempest Beach...or should I say two. I'm fiddling around with it and I shouldn't. This one is the latest version...a little rougher.

I was also busy with the drive...not sure if Bev will be pleased.

It's strange, but I feel as if I'm running out of time even though I have all the time in the world right now.

Sunset

I'm so happy that I felt hungry to paint today.

Here is an oil study from my sunset walk with Juli along Vane Tempest beach last week.

The walk only lasted an hour or so, but was special because we shared the same space; just the two of us for a change...and the two people fishing...and the two canoeists.

The dying rays of the sun seemed to breathe life into everything it touched. Had Juli not insisted we go, I would have missed an unmissable experience.

Golden Memories

I was in Sunderland for the funeral service of uncle Ronnie, and it was great to see the family and visit old haunts.

It's been 42 years since I was in Barnes Park so I was glad Juli took me back on the way to pick Susan up from work at the hospital (she works on the ward where I was born).

I was particularly impressed with the way they turned trees upside down, carved faces and painted them ...

I loved these seats...

And this water feature...featuring Hollie...

These reminded me a little of the steps of an Inca Temple...currently used for people to run up and down to get into shape...Juli and Hollie declined.

Me, my sisters, one of my brothers and two Aunties at the get together...

Mowbray Park...The place I used to go for lunch when I first started work...a tramp sat next to me and helped himself to my sandwiches on my very first day. I also used to catch tadpoles in this pond...

This is what's in the glass building (Winter Gardens)...

Emmaleigh and Aimee were singing to the Lady Mayoress with their school friends (in the same park)...

Do you still think Annabelle and Hollie are cute:)

Spent some time at sunset with Juli at Vane Tempest Beach (six minute drive)...

Met a Leeds lass, fishing...

A golden memory to go with the rest over the past few days.

End of the road

The football season has finished and Sunderland rallied to take 10th spot. Stadia across the country are now being used for other events.

Recently, the girls went to see 'Take That' with Robbie Williams at the Stadium of Light (Sunderland's ground), and me and the boys went to the 'Monster Jam' at Pride Park (Derby County's ground). We then all met up at our house for a family get-together and a walk along the river on the Sunday.

I tried and failed to upload a video of the monster jam. It was brilliant...and very loud.

The past two weeks have been hectic even though I'm officially unemployed. My work with Vodafone  finished last Tuesday, but I've been working hard with all the jobs around the house which are never finished.  I'm looking forward to having employment again so that I can have time to relax and paint:)

It's the end of the road for our rose arch...it's currently being supported with rope until reinforcements arrive.

An extra visit from Juli, Danny, Aimee Abs and Hollie meant a welcome break for me...Juli is inside trying to educate her grandma on using the controls of the armchair she's brought her (not an easy task) Annabelle and Hollie opted for me and the front garden seat while Danny and Aimee settled in front of the computer.

I've been busy building two brick pillars in the front garden to match the others so that the twisted fence panels can be fixed to them to straighten them out. I would prefer a brick wall, but I don't have enough old bricks...they are hard to find. Here they are all stained and straight...I just have the tops of the pillars to do. The gravel has just arrive so I'll be busy with the drive now.

I went into the loft to try and find my extension cable and work hat. I found neither, but came down with millions of old photographs to sort. It's so good to have a visual reminder of all the good times bringing up a family...I never photograph bad times although I do tend to capture our kids having a strop from time to time:)

Tomorrow I'll be off to Sunderland to attend the funeral of Uncle Ronnie who passed away while we were having our family walk along the river. No, he wasn't with us...he was back home in Sunderland at the time of our walk here in Newark.

Here I go again...regretting not spending more time with my uncle...the last one in the family. He was quite a character with a wicked sense of humour. I really should have found the time in this time-vanishing world of mine.