10. The Squatters Residency: hardenbergia amongst the white brittle gums

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Coupled with the morning boxing fitness class at 9 was a view to some cow action out in the paddock.  Not every residency has such bustle as this.
 
After drawing by the lake with its morphing reflections alongside fellow artist Annabel Mason (who as an aside makes a very yummy quiche – thank you Annabel!), and before a drive through the back lanes of Portland (totally recommended if you are coming here) there was another walk with a local in The Common. The walk felt familiar today, like I was walking around the woodland at home checking out the hollows and burls as I like to do.  I recognised some faves - flurries of flowering Hardenbergia amongst the white brittle gums as a family of white winged choughs call each other.  The most unusual tree caught my imagination too.  Think elephant foot base extending to a hand with elongated fingers reaching to the sky.  I think of possibilities of how it grew over time and of others who have met and carried stories of this tree-being in their minds too. 
 
In the Squat today too, my little painting included a scene with two of my large drawings in it and a very welcoming rug.