Pear-shaped

A new sketching group has been started by two of my female swimmers which will meet in theatre (so good to see it being used for community groups) every Thursday.  I went along to day as I think sketching will help with my needle-felting through developing observation skills and exploring composition. I was slightly apprehensive (which I generally am the first time I do something) and nearly didn't go on the grounds I'd leaving early but gave myself a stern talking to ! I am so glad I went - it was a lovely relaxed and supportive environment. Some were sketching, others were using watercolours and I then experimented with colouring my pear. One of the others suggested I try water soluble pencils which I did and liked. T has some so I can continue practicing at home. A really lovely morning ! 

I then headed up to the Moulin Hotel for a lunch with one of the (other) local groups I'm involved with. The speakers were from Heathergems. It was really interesting learning about the process of making their products from collecting the heather, stripping the bark off, dying the stalks,  compressing it, slicing it and cutting out shapes to set in fittings. 

Retirement certainly can be most enjoyable !