8th September……

Once again it’s perfect weather (27 degrees) and we were up early today. I’m glad we packed most of it last night as the car was full when we set off for the port to catch the ferry across to Malta. Such stunning views in Gozo. I’m coming back to do the ‘touristy’ thingy next […]

Day six with Dora……

A better night last night and the coughing only sounds like my grandmothers smokers cough! But up, breakfasted and ready to start my pen-ultimate day with Dora. It’s still life today and I can tell you it’s as EASY AS PIE! 😂 😂 😂 NOT Dora set up the display and I diligently sketched it […]

Day five with Dora….

After breakfast we loaded up and headed for xwejni bay which was the place of my light bulb moment Moving on….. we continued to Qolla Lil-Badja. This place was famous in its day not only for the salt pans but for its ‘70’s night club. Apparently it was THE place to go. Sadly it’s no […]

Day four…

Can’t believe it’s day four already!! Despite coughing most of the night I actually had a reasonable sleep thanks to the medication and hot lemon and honey Dora made for me. (What an angel). We had breakfast, readied the equipment and headed off to our destination for the day Xwejni Bay. Gozo is very rocky […]

Day three with Dora…..

Well……might have slept all night if someone in Romania hadn’t phoned at 2:30! Anyway must have dozed off a bit and finally got up at 7am. Washed my ‘smalls’ and hung them up on the balcony. After that had my breakfast and got ready to go out for my first Plein air experience (for those […]

Here is the post I wrote that I should have uploaded prior taking this holiday!

I turned sixty in 2012 but I’d like to go back a little further to 2005 when I took my first brave step and did a solo trip for five weeks to Europe and the UK. Probably the most scary and also the most exhilarating experience of my life. I suppose it would be called […]

Day two with Dora…..

Started the morning with a dip in the lovely cool pool at 7:30, showered and commenced with another of the drawing of the little squares I need for today’s exercise. Had breakfast at 8:30 and back into lessons. Dora said she would set up a still life for me to sketch, well I did this […]

Day one with Dora…

Up nice and early today despite the late hour to bed. We had breakfast (all gluten free-a lot of research into my affliction) which was tasty! Had a lengthy talk about what I was going to be doing throughout the week. She’s a very talented artist with both exhibitions, teaching and many published books under […]

Talk about cars, boats and planes…..

So far- Left Frankston at 08:00 in a car to Melbourne airport, plane to Hong Kong, another plane to Barcelona, taxi to accommodation, car back to airport, plane to Malta, car to port, ferry to Gozo and last but not least, car to accommodation. Left home at 8am on 31st August and eventually arrive at […]

Two new friends

My flight from Melbourne to Hong Kong was quite simply brilliant. Sitting beside me were two lovely young women. One from Peru living in Melbourne, the other Iraqi born and living in London. I don’t think there was a moment that we didn’t speak. Covering every topic of the veritable rainbow. They were interesting, funny, […]