Finished my latest painting. Yesterday my friend Jo bought a painting she’d seen for sale on my Instagram.. encouraged me to go to the studio today.*****
Back at work in the morning after a lovely leisurely weekend.
On the way home from work:
This sphere on top of an apartment building always makes me stop and stare; made by Jeppe Hein.
In this photograph, it looks like the sphere is contemplating tightrope walking.
My tour guiding took us, after a leisurely breakfast for a morning walk to Noss Mayo, along the coast path and back along the stunning estuary. Perfect springlike weather to make it a perfect morning.****
Friends visiting at the summer house, went for a walk to the nearby viewpoint Rågeleje.
Then back to have sweets and coffee.
Also managed to fit in a bit of gardening. My garden is a little bit ‘Wild on Purpose’ but trying to help some plants thrive, which means a bit of weeding to bring light and space.
This is my garden shed, which is probably over 40 years old.
A few weeks ago I really wanted to play Scrabble but I a) didn’t have a Scrabble board b) didn’t have anyone to play with. Well roll forward …I found a Scrabble board in a charity shop in Greenwich and my friend Jo came to stay. A delicious lunch at Emilia in Ashburton, followed by a walk at Spitchwick. Red wine, cheese and biscuits and Scrabble made the perfect Saturday night evening. My rock n roll has matured….*****
So after a really hectic couple of weeks, working overtime, I finally had a full weekend off with no plans and no obligations.
Went to my dear summer house (first time this year) and did a bit of pottering about in the garden.
This tree which I found in the wild and replanted in my garden looked really dry and shriveled from a distance but actually had small buds getting ready to sprout.
Also while gardening swallowed a small twig and almost choked on it. Not sure how I managed this but my throat is still in shock about this twig going down the wrong pipe.
So proud of my friend Trine. Heart Nurse Extraordinaire 🥰
Made two curries ..one chicken grinding up all the necessary spices…and one coconut cauliflower dal…ahead of tomorrow so the flavours could mature and so I wouldn’t have to cook while my friend was staying.*****
Finally the day of the TAVI nurse coordinator training seminar.
Very nervous to start, but then it just kinda went along okay.
Made 50 nurses engage and take active part in what turned out to be a really great day.
Healthy Living. Yoga. Healthy eating*****
Getting up early, to meet up with my colleague to prepare for the nurse seminar we are hosting tomorrow; 50 nurses from all Scandinavian countries coming to learn and share experiences.
Worked all day and a bit of the evening, until welcome dinner for all the nurses.
Then home and early to bed.
Only stopped for a minute all day, to take a picture of this little ‘anticipating Easter’ flower arrangement.
Drove all the way across London on my way back to Devon…stopped to catch up with friends for a pub lunch near Frome on the way back…even managed a supermarket shop before arriving home.*****
Another long day at work, first 8 hours normal nursing job, and then 4 hours of concentrated work on the nursing seminar.
Afterwards met up with Peter and had a lovely dinner out near Carlsberg and then a cosy stroll home.
Mickalene Thomas at the Hayward Gallery, Southbank. Walked the dogs in Greenwich Park and then went to see an exhibition in town. Then had a gorgeous evening with Jessie at her home.*****
Day time off, so went for a run for the first time in a month, it was not fast but felt great.
Afterwards met up with a colleague to prepare for a seminar I’m hosting on Friday.
Had a studio tour of MDM studios at Marden Wharf near the O2 in Greenwich. I connected with the company in Saudi and will hopefully be helping them with some of their amazing projects over the next year. It’s an incredible studio space. Then found a Scrabble set in a charity shop walking back to Jessie’s mum’s house. Had another lovely walk in Greenwich Park and Vietnamese dinner at home *****
Interesting day at work, visitors from Lisbon, Portugal came to see how we work with patients suffering from valvular heart disease and undergo percutanious heart valve implantation. Lots of inspiration meeting colleagues from other countries.
After work a really hot and relaxing Saunagus at Winther Island, Kalvebod Brygge with a view over Copenhagen Harbour (looking over on your old neighbourhood Islands Brygge, Victoria;)
My friend Julie was over from the USA for a short visit. I came up to London to see her and two of her sons. I gave them a tour of London including the Royal Academy, Soho, Covent Garden and Buckingham Palace. It was a fun day with a walk in Greenwich Park in the morning.*****
After a full day shift at the hospital, spending the evening preparing for the seminar me and my colleague are hosting and facilitating Friday this coming week.
The seminar is for patient coordinators who work with patients afflicted by valvular heart disease.
Had lunch with my parents in a pub near theirs. Afterwards drove through Henley reminiscing of my childhood days. Went to surprise my old friend Kirsty at her open studios. Saw her work installed in the centre of Maidenhead and chatted to her and her studio mates. Was a fun catch up. Otto isn’t allowed in my parents’ house and it was going to be below freezing in the night so decided to drive to Greenwich, London where we acould both get tucked up cosily inside.*****
Another morning getting up early to go to work. As the seasons change, so does the light and it is changing day by day at the moment. Hadn’t seen this peculiar light in our guestroom (;) before.
Hot yoga in the morning, a walk and lunch date in Chudleigh….then drove to stay with my friend Dave in Bristol. We had a lovely walk through St Werburgh’s and a pint in the Farm.*****
Really too tired to go anywhere after work, but had plans to visit this cute face and my friend Maria in Greve, a half hour train ride, outside Copenhagen.
So Big Achievement. I went and really happy I did. We talked, had lovely dinner and watched a good movie.
Musical night at Devonport Highschool for Boys. Such a beautiful corridor that runs along the front of the building overlooking Victoria Park.*****
So Thursday came and went without me taking a picture.
Went to work early in the morning, had a busy 8 hour shift and then afterwards 5 hours working on planning a seminar, me and my colleague have been commissioned to conduct next week.
So this is the evening sky with a Big Moon the night before.
2nd training session with the Plymouth Harriers…warm up, walk, run, stretch down.*****
Going to the Dojo in the morning on my day off, a really great and sweaty session; practising Jo Dori so a lot of getting up from the floor.
Afterwards cosy chat and coffee.
Back in the studio and a satisfying start to my next oil painting*****
Taking a little scenic detour home from work.
Back in the studio. Made great progress on a painting I’ve been working with for a while. It hung in my bedroom for over a year while I enjoyed/ studied it. Trouble with oil is that you go and work in Saudi for a while and it dries again so you lose the ability to blend the paints which is the quality of oils I most enjoy.*****
Working till late with one of my favourite colleagues, after my dayshift, preparing for a seminar for Nordic TAVI nurse coordinators.
With no plans, it having bugged me for a while, with spring having sprung and a new hoover in the house… I tidied and hoovered. Even sorted out my outhouse so it was functioning again. I then went to meet a friend for a couple of beers…seeing this on the way home reminding me of my days in Val d’Isère and my good friend Polly who used to have a gold one in her front window. *****
Still having the energy to go for a little walk around my neighbourhood after a busy day at work.
This is a courtyard in Carlsberg byen, very close to my apartment. It looks like a lot of effort is being put into this garden with lots of interesting water features as well, so can’t wait to see the final result at some point.
I went to do some of the 5k park run, walking, running as part of my running training …ended up doing the whole 5k in about 45 minutes….Then walked Otto round and saw this girl making a dance video in the sunshine. Had a lazy afternoon at home ****
Getting through the dark months and finally enjoying the bike ride to work in daylight.
Went to Bere Alston to pick up a hoover and went for a lovely walk with Otto beforehand up above the river. It was misty and warm and I’d brought far too many clothes. Driving out I saw this beautiful barn so pulled over and walked back to take a photograph. *****
Taking the stairs to my office on the the 15th floor and lovely blue sky outside.
I made chocolate brownies; after baking them and after too much excitement … I managed to cut myself on Otto’s dog food tin as I tried to hurry to get to my friend’s for dinner….the colour of blood is so beautiful though…*****
Enjoying the morning light finally spilling into my apartment when getting up early in the morning.
I decided to buy some running shoes and join the Plymouth Harriers beginners group to learn how to run 5k. Tonight was our first run. This was afterwards 🏃🏼*****
My day off, so being lazy, but still went to Aikido and practised some really cool Jo Dori techniques.
Afterwards chilling and drinking coffee, went for a walk and bought a book (We Do Not Part by Han Kang) and boxing gloves for exercising and letting out energy, not for fighting.
Side to Side 