For the first time in my life I thought I might make it through an oiche shamhna, (that's Halloween in English) without hearing a single firework, despite being outside by a lovely bonfire for much of the evening...but I did hear two distant bangs in the end. The house is obviously not far enough away from civilisation!

A friend introduced me to Urban Sketchers recently, and its had me inspired to get pen and paper out and do some drawing the last few days, so yesterday I dragged a chair and various mark-making tools up the hill to paint the barn, as it looks so very beautiful at the moment, with the trees turning.

Concepta kept me company. She actually walked through the watercolours at one point, and then all over some paper too...little black paw prints.

Its been so long since I went out drawing or painting. I feel so very out of practice, but it was good to get out and do it.