Well…that’ll teach us to organise a paint out in June! The weather forecast looked grim and I feared no one would turn up. However, I had obviously underestimated the resilience of our members because, as I pulled into the car park, I was greeted by a sea of friendly faces. I couldn’t see the rest of their bodies because they were swathed in waterproofsp>

A recce was made of both St Botolph’s church and Lesley’s garden before we decided where we would set up our gear. Some chose not to risk the elements and decided to set up in the church, but several brave souls opted for the garden where we managed a couple of hours of sketching and painting before we were driven indoors by a torrential downpour.

Our lovely host provided us with shelter, teas and coffees until it was safe to collect our gear and head off to lunch where we were joined by some more WNAA members. All in all, 15 people came along for a convivial social, a lovely lunch provided by Hans in the cafe at NCA and an opportunity to view the mini exhibition of members’ artwork on display in the dining room. In the afternoon, a few of us continued painting in the church.

A huge thank you to Lesley Macdonald for the use of her beautiful garden and for offering shelter when it was desperately needed.

At the end of the day, it was all about getting together with other members of the Association. Being creative can be a very solitary business.

Teresa Lovick