I must admit I was quite horrified at how long it has been since I last wrote here. A lot has happened, the world has changed, and so too has my life.

Just over two years ago I lost my Husband to his rare form of blood cancer, he had been getting progressively worse during the pandemic as we were unable to get him to the specialist in Leeds. This meant I was caring for him more and I had less time for painting.

Following his loss I had little desire to paint for many months and not being able to drive, I was not always able to get to my local art group either. So, I determined to learn to drive having inherited a perfectly functional car, even if it wasn't in the first flush of youth.

My driving lessons were great therapy, getting to see the island again began to waken my desire to paint too. It did amuse me to see articles in the press about how driving instructors should be trained to be therapists, they don't need training, they already are therapists! Much to my amazement I passed my test first time after a year of lessons, not bad for someone in their early 60's!

Recently I have started driving to my local art group's meetings again. Unfortunately, we have suffered a major blow in recent months. Our founder, Murray Ince, passed away in hospital in February. It was very unexpected, he should have been home for Christmas following surgery, so it hit the group hard but we have determined to carry on.

Being able to get back to the art group is great, even if I get very nervous about the drive before hand. I'm hoping this will go with time as I'm fine once I get underway. With the summer coming I'm hoping to get out and about and start painting our wonderful scenery again. Hopefully, I will have new paintings to put in the gallery soon.

Finally, after a few bad years, my life is beginning to turn a corner and things are looking up. I just hope this continues.