Bealey's Lane, Lockington.

 2nd May 2021...I misread the weather forecast, setting off to walk George, thinking the bright weather would continue. So I find myself in Bealey's, looking for a view to paint. I consider Moorfield Farm but decide it is too distant and then I see this tree. George needed a quieter day and so I set up the easel with a rug for him to sit on. One or two groups of walkers pass me before a a couple of intrepid walkers I had met before, stop and we have a lovely chat. At this point they had already walked over ten miles and had some way to go, impressive. Later a group from Lockington came over, we had also met before in the village when looking for starling murmurations. It was confirmed none had taken place this year, though a friend mentioned a magnificent display over at Wansford. Certainly something to remember. They walked off, passing the large tree and I continued. The bright weather gave way to showers making me rush to the car with the painting, it was cold enough for hailstones however it soon stopped and I set up and resumed painting. More people approached, much map looking resulted in one member approaching me to ask for directions. This was to be a problem. George was still on his rug but decided to get up and rush towards the enquirer, being attached now to a long lead he managed to send my French easel flying. Canvas, paints, brushes etc flew in all directions and I saw that the woman was a little upset. I noticed the group, back at the lane, they could not hide their amusement, which I thought was rather inappropriate, and I tried to reassure the woman that she need not worry about it. I began searching for my tubes of paint, my brushes which the long grass hid so well.. eventually getting everything back I saw that the palette had smeared my trousers and jacket with paint, oh dear. So, when I see this picture it will remind me about the flying paints. Painting outside is always interesting.  All the time I painted a female pheasant sat behind me in a dried stream bed incubating her eggs. At  first I thought I had just seen a long tail feather,  before realising it was attached to a brilliantly camouflaged hen pheasant.

Large plein air, 30x24 inches, oil on canvas, POA