June Newsletter

I've been very busy in my little studio, writing and making art for my fourth book, which I think might be titled A Land Beyond The Sea. If you have read Book Three, you might remember that it ends with an envelope, and in this story, you will find out what's inside and join your feathered friends on a journey over the ocean with the crew of the Obscura. I'm having so much fun with this story.

When I sit down to write it, it feels like daydreaming. I can see everything in my mind's eye, like a film playing, and I just write what I see so I can share it with you. If you write, draw, paint, make music, garden, or make hats, I would love to hear from you and find out what your creative process feels like.

Here are some pictures for chapter one of the new story

Behind our house is a wonderful wildflower meadow where we walk every morning, enjoying the beauty and perfection of nature. It's so peaceful here with only the wind in the trees and the bird song to keep us company. On some days, we see a barn owl swooping silently over the meadow as she searches for her breakfast.  It feels like walking in heaven.

I hope you have a wonderful month filled with fun and adventure. If you have any pictures of the places and creatures that inspire you, I would love to see them. And now I will pass you along to Quentin, who has just spent a wonderful day messing about on the water (I think he was inspired by The Wind in the Willows).

Well, hello again!

I trust you are avoiding the rain and venturing out in the sunny spots. I know the early summer showers are good for the garden, but they play havoc on my feathers. This month started out very well, and we were planning on moving back under the rose bush for the summer, perhaps not full-time but at least on nice weekends, until the weather gods thought better of it and sent along a particularly violent storm that bowled the whole thing over! And now it's done for the summer.

The poor old bush is a shadow of her old self, a whole side is missing in the main room, and the front door was whisked off to heaven knows where.

I was feeling a little blue before Robin arranged for a nice little day trip down to the pond, which really cheered me up. A very nice afternoon tea was provided by Jayne, and there was singing and an impromptu visit from Robin's darling friend Penny, but he's dying to tell you all the details himself, so I will hand you over to him.

Goodbye till next time, and don't spare the treats.

~Quentin

Hello friends,

I'm so excited to tell you all about our adventure to the pond because it was a very great success, and that is because I cheered Quentin up, and making people happy is my favourite thing to do.

Did Quentin tell you about the storm? I love storms, and this one was especially good because there was thunder and lightning just like in the Frankenstein book. There was wind too, a very exciting, strong wind that blew up over the fields and flattened Quentin's house, and when we went up there, only a few thorny twigs were left, and that made him sad.

Even my fancy dancing didn't cheer him up, and he was just sitting in the kitchen looking out of the window all afternoon, so Jayne and I came up with a plan, and this morning we made a picnic, and when Quentin got up, we took him down to the pond. The fish who live there came right up to the edge and sang "Oh what a beautiful morning," which made him laugh because they have very funny voices, and I was hoping they were right because I could see clouds moving in over the trees.

And then we had a lovely picnic, but I was too hungry, and so I forgot to take a picture, but as we were eating, Jenny, the little moorhen, came over, and she helped us finish off the cake.

I only remembered my camera when she was walking off over the Lilly pads to go back to her family, and it's not the best picture, but I thought you might still like to see her just the same.I have to go now so I can get ready for bed, it's late, but the sun's still out, so I can read my new book until I get too sleepy. I hope you have a nice book to read too, and cake, and a spot of tea.

Bye-bye for now

Robin

Good-bye till next time

Jayne