At 4:45 am this morning the Summer Solstice was celebrated at Stonehenge, I would love to have been there - maybe some day I will eventually get there. They had wonderful weather for it so I can imagine the view would have been spectacular. This picture is from the Metro newspaper.

On Saturday Sarah and I visited the Doctor Who Exhibition at the Centre for Life in Newcastle. We're both massive Doctor Who fans and had a great time looking at original props and costumes and experiencing the Daleks - it's a 'must see' for any fans. The centre itself is a great place to visit and brings science to life - also has a great little cafe!

Centre for Life

In Memory Of Owen Brannigan - Blaydon Races

"Aa went to Blaydon Races t'was on the Ninth of June" - The Blaydon Races

One of the most famous songs on Tyneside and now also an annual race which follows the route from Balmbras Public House in Newcastle to Blaydon, just over the water in Gateshead.

http://www.blaydonrace.org/

This is a little tryout I did yesterday. One A4 sheet of gessoed watercolour paper, four tubes of System 3 acrylics - Titanium white, process yellow, process cyan and process magenta, gloss medium, a paint brush, palette knives and fingers. The little painting in the top right has lots of little acrylic paint skins attached - peeled from last weeks palette.

There's a full moon tonight - I'm going out to howl at the moon........

It's 70 years since the Dunkirk rescue and a fleet of little ships are heading to France to commemorate this. My thanks go to the original sailors all those years ago as my Grandad was amongst those troops trapped on the beaches. He was rescued and brought back safely, thank you to all those brave people.

Today is towel day. Don't forget your towel!

Today is towel day in honour of author Douglas Adams. http://www. towel day.org/

Middle of May already - what a month! A general election, a hung parliament, freezing cold weather and yet another cold/sore throat.

Finally managed to get my paints out though all I've had a chance to do so far is 'play' - I'm hoping I get the chance to do some 'real painting' during the bank holiday weekend.

Managed to get some reduced Cryla acrylics from Bradbury Graphics - they're selling off the old style Cryla at bargain prices -http://www.bradburyart.co.uk/

I've tried to avoid mentioning the General Election but I suppose I should acknowledge it. I will vote - women had to fight for the right to vote so it shouldn't be wasted. I do know that I won't vote for a party who wish to bring back fox hunting. Where is the 'sport' in chasing an animal and ripping it apart - why would you want to trust someone who takes pleasure in something so barbaric.

Found an interesting link organised by Brian May http://www.save-me.org.uk , worth a look.