Painting in Giverny. It’s crowded and chaotic and it starts to sprinkle with rain. I sit down next to an American family where Dad is distributing the crayons for a sketching session. I’m there painting and its nice despite the cold. The rain gets heavier and then the win comes and blows sheets of rain right across the lily pond and into our faces. My painting is washed away and I’m frozen to the bone. Both myself and the Americans retreat back to the main house. 

The sun comes out to play again so I give it another attempt, its takes ages to get back through the crowds and Mum comes with me with an umbrella this time, a good thing as the rains returned by the time I’ve sat down again and with a bit of perseverance and assistance I get this  second painting done and carefully transported by Mum beneath the umbrella back to safety. 

Mission accomplished. 

​The view from the upstairs living room. Perfect place to stay and just round the corner from Annie Smithers.