A Perfect Summer’s Day

The recent weather has not been compatible with watercolour painting on location. There were lots of places I had hoped to have been by now, but so far July has been a wash out. Not just wet, but sudden, unpredictable drenching, can’t-see-in-front-of-you, drain flooding torrents. Not fun. I’ve been re-imagining previous paintings/sketches to remind myself of perfect Summer days of the past, and hoping it will not be long before we experience something like them again.

This sketch, from this afternoon, was from the edge of a field which has been left unmown and ungrazed to encourage more wild flowers and wildlife. There is certainly more pollen blowing around, and at the moment, a lot more horse flies which are reluctant to let go once they have sunk their fangs into you! A useful information gathering sketch from among the thistles, and lovely to be outside.

The Anemones came just in time for the Bank Holiday weekend, and are a welcome addition to the garden. I am hoping they will survive the strong wind which arrived at the same time.

The old Catholic Church was built in the 1960’s, before which meetings took place in private homes. It was originally built to double as the church hall when a more substantial building was erected. Sadly this never happened. It closed in 2022 and now sits in it’s little plot of land with a ‘Sold’ sign by the gate.

The north door of St Edward’s Church in Stow on the Wold, stands diminutive between two sturdy tree trunks, as strong as a Giant’s legs, straddling the entrance, protecting it from harm. No wonder many people believe this place inspired Tolkien in his portrayal of a secret world.

Images from the showground at Malvern yesterday during the final day of the Royal Horticultural Society’s Spring Festival.Looked at plants and planting, gaining ideas for our own plot. Looked at Show Gardens, LOTS of plants, pots, planters, bulbs, new varieties, bees and bugs, water features, more plants, tools, displays… and managed to do some sketching. Although the ground was wet, the sky was clear and it was a lovely way to spend the day!

The tulips have done well this year, especially these which were grown in a pot. Although we expected them to be a different colour, it really doesn’t matter. I love the way they turned their tight little heads and relaxed their petals as they bathed in the sun.

Sadly, the Mill at Lower Slaughter is closing down and is for Sale.

There has been a mill on this site since the earliest of times and was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. This present one was built in the nineteenth century and was making flour up to the 1950s. Since then it has become a well known attraction being visited by people from all over the world. Some of them were there, taking photographs, today.

Despite the name, there is no record of there ever being a battle on the site. Apparently the name comes from the Old English for ‘muddy place’, which seems to be a bit of a disappointment in some ways!

However, following yesterday’s rain, this morning turned out to be bright and sunny and I took the opportunity to make this little painting.

Inspired by a visit to David Austin Roses in Shropshire in late summer last year. After a day in the gardens and a restorative cup of tea and slice of cake, we found a shrub rose we had been searching for to add to our own, somewhat smaller, garden.

Cold and wet recently, but colour is coming back into the world now that Spring is here.