It's not often that I'm 'blown away' but today I was.  Not by wind but light.  We try and get a few days away each year in December.  Now the National Trust open pretty much all year they are good to visit for their decorations and sometimes visiting carol singers.  This year we chose Basildon Park's grandeur but it was a dull grey day.  The following day the sun shone at Grey's Court - and how! As well as the estate farm land and woods there's a garden of a dozen or so 'rooms'.  Only a few visitors ventured in but what they missed.

Gardens in winter are deemed to be dead, dull and uninteresting.  Oh no.  We were lucky with the characteristic winter sunlight but I was astonished at its strength and what it did giving the greens, yellows, reds, purples etc a vibrancy I had never appreciated.

The last owners bought the house for the view - it is stunning.  So although carrying only a small book grabbed one sketch of it but it was the light and colour that I really couldn't resist.  Choosing the fruit trees whose trained branches are smothered with moss and lichen saw even more wonderful greys, blues, greens, yellows and browns. Could have spent hours in there......I think a visit just to paint is called for; maybe through the seasons.

The Urbans are due to meet in Covent Garden on Saturday but Brentford are at home and with a poor record - no win for 5 on the trot - really feel we have to go.  However as we are going to The Ballet on Tuesday I put a small book in my pocket.  Fortunately we arrived in good time so I could at least get one in.  Really need a bigger page, some water brushes and a small paint box but aimed to add watercolour later......