Winchester has an ice rink in the cathedral grounds to coincide with the Christmas market. It was very busy yesterday and the sessions were booked until early evening, not that I intended to have a go. I couldn’t fit everybody in so here are a few of the skaters.

We visited the Christmas market in Winchester today to do some shopping and soak up the atmosphere, they have a skating rink in the cathedral grounds which ai May draw tomorrow. It wouldn’t be Christmas without the Salvation Army playing carols so here they are in the high street.

Election Day today so I did my bit for democracy by “telling” at one of the polling stations. This consists of asking voters for their poll card number so they can be ticked off the list and not pestered to vote later in the day. Unfortunately tellers are not allowed in the polling station as they represent political parties so have to stand outside in the pouring rain, I did two sessions 8 to 9 this morning and 12 noon till 1 pm, needless to say it rained the whole time and my paperwork was a soggy mess. This gives you an idea of what it was like outside and the warm cosy glow of the polling station welcoming everyone but us!

At the Broadstone Art Society party yesterday Gill was selling raffle tickets while wearing a green tinsel wig. I couldn’t mix a colour that did it justice so someone suggested a little mixed media. Gill’s wig sacrificed a strand or two in the name of art.

Broadstone Art Society Christmas party this morning, lots of Santa hats and tinsel wigs, Christmas jumpers, mulled wine and fish and chips for lunch. People made Christmas candles and decorated pine cones. I chose to sketch in pen and watercolour.

A quick watercolour sketch of the grandchildren today. It doesn’t really do them justice so I will have to keep trying.