THE PICTURE IS ONE I PAINTED FOR MY MIDDLE GRAND DAUGHTER AT EASTER 2 YEARS AGO.~~~ Thanks for your greeting PATSY I haven't started my birthday (January) chockies yet so I'm being really good. The fight goes on but things have a habit of seeming to have been forgotten then all of a sudden, it all happens very quickly. ~~ NORAH, welcome to the site. Patchings Festival is in June, Thurs.4th. to Sun.7th. A wonderful gathering of artists of all kinds. Well worth a visit. I'll be there on Thursday to get in there before all the bargains have been snapped up. I usually go twice but I don't think I'll have the time this year as I'm preparing for my role as tutor on a painting week at our favourite hotel in the Wye Valley the following week. I usually spend the first day checking who's there and sorting through the bargains. The second day I take my time watching demo's, chatting to artists and craftspeople etc. At the end of the day I treat myself to an Elderflower & Gooseberry icecream from the wagon. YUM.. You don't say which area you are in NORAH, or I could probably help with your search for a group. If, however you need to start up one of your own and want advice, please ask. ENJOY THE EASTER BREAK EVERYONE. "BLESSINGS FROM US". ~~~ IN REPLY TO PATSY ~~~ I don't know whether you have ever tasted an elderflower flavoured drink, or anything else flavoured with elderflowers. We have elderflower cordials and sparkling drinks which are so refreshing. WELL... elderflower & gooseberry ice cream has the taste of the flowers which, I imagine have been infused into the mixture instead of, say, seeds from a vanilla pod or any other kind of flavouring. The gooseberries seem to be really ripe ones, soft & sweet which have been chopped up and stirred into the elderflower flavoured mixture then heaped into suitable receptacles such as, cones or bowls. A handy bucket would do for me, the bigger, the better. Patchings is the only place I've ever found it and it's there just once a year. If anyone knows where I can obtain it regularly, let me know please, A.S.A.P.------------DURBAN HOUSE - went there for lunch today - there was a strange face on reception. got meetings there next week & the following week so should have more news soon. Thanks for your continuing support. Glad you're feeling better, I only ever had one flu jab which nearly killed me too. Himself has one every year because the G.P. says he should. He always suffers flu symptoms after it. You would think he would learn from this that the effects are adverse wouldn't you? I refuse to, knowingly, inflict illness upon myself and suggest that others consider doing the same.