The Wild May

It's so misty we need headlights as we drive by the Mining Museum at Caphouse Colliery where traction engines are gathering for a steam rally. We're on our way to the baptism of our 6 month old neighbour Alice May at Moldgreen, Huddersfield. She's wearing the long, lacey christening gown that her great, great grandfather wore.

I attempt to draw some of Alice's half dozen or so aunts.

I like drawing Alice because she's so laid back (she went to sleep during the christening) but, after lunch, as soon as Rose, aged two, spots me drawing her, she climbs down from the table and observes me from behind a chair.

These drawings are made with a 0.35 mm Staedtler mars professional.

Weeding

There's time when we get back to clear another of our veg beds of the small weeds that will soon cover the ground, given a chance. Most of the nettle seedlings are still too tiny to sting me, coltsfoot has pushed up again from stray root stems that I missed last time. One of the commonest weeds is nipplewort (named for the shape of the flower buds) which is spreading its leaves in small, loose rosettes.

Barbara sows courgettes, summer savoury, squash and basil in seed trays in the greenhouse.