SHORT TRIP TO DORSET IN JUNE

I popped back to Dorset for a long weekend from 17 to 22 June officially to attend Patrick Carson's 70th birthday party, which was very nice, and to see the family. Nicholas couldn't come down unfortunately, but I had a lovely weekend with splendid weather. You'll be surprised to hear I am thinking seriously of moving back to England. But I have to sell my house here first and that won't be until next Spring. I am hesitant because of the cultural aspects, language, food, markets, the beautiful scenery and coast here in Brittany, but Dorset is beautiful too, the climate very much the same, and though I shall have to speak English at least I have Steve's "Trencherman's" nearby for good food! The sea is not too far away, I would have absolute peace in the countryside (which is far from the case with my neighbours here in Quimper), and family around me. More of that in future posts.

I managed to finish my hallway in June, it's now painted, papered and re-floored and looks neat, clean and bright. A good selling point when people walk into the house.

I have been picking loads of raspberries from my jungly garden where they grow and multiply freely. This year has been so sunny that they have ripened as never before and funnily enough, the birds haven't touched them. My favourite fruit!

And then I had a visit last week from my Norwegian cousin Hakon and his wife Rona (Hakon is meant to have a little 'o' above the 'a' but I can't figure out how to do it on my keyboard). A most excellent visit, I felt very comfortable with them although we had never met before. In fact I only discovered his existence when I googled him last year, where would one be without internet?

And now I've gone into a lazy decline again, and can't be bothered to pick up a paintbrush and continue decorating the house, but I have been doing quite a lot of arty painting, which I may photograph for another time along with all the pottery I have produced this year. Nothing very marvellous, but interesting anyway to keep track.

A few of my latest creations

I take photos but most of the time, no one ever gets to see them. So here are a few of the things I've done over the last months:This is a Norwegian cardigan I did for Marius before going to the States in September. He's 2, I did it size 4 years, and it's only just big enough.

While I was in the States, I knitted a scarf for Cécile in Koigu, a wool I can't get over here. It's very fine and knits like cotton, but it's silk and wool.

I've been doing lots of things since I got back, but I can't show photos because they are Christmas presents. I'll take photos before I wrap them up and put them here in January! I sent off an enormous Christmas stocking that I knitted for Marius last week, but I forgot to take a photo beforehand.

And then I've been doing pottery and sculpture. A bit weird most of the time. I love my monster, but it is very difficult to photograph. And my fat lady, except that I decided to to her extremities pointy, and the points sort of curled a bit during the firing process. Never mind, that's why I go to classes.

The monster has only one eye, and a beaky nose/mouth, and is resting his chin on his hand. He looks very sad and tired and wistful. He just grew out of my hands and I love to reflect on what I had inside me at that moment that created a piece like this!

This is a bowl in the shape of a shell, that I've planted up with succulents.