Somerset Open Studios

This month sees me very busy.  After a hectic, funtime in our old place of residence in Ealing we returned home on Sunday evening in anover packed train back to the station car park. There  we found our car sitting lonely and waiting in the car park to speed us home in five minutes to our peaceful and comforting home. Our two cats were happy to see us after being wonderfully cared for by our good neighbour, Sue. I shall take a bottle of wine in tomorrow to thank her and we may share a glass or two.

London is getting very much more difficult for our frail bodies.  We loved seeing the five grandchildren, w ho are growing up well and celebrating Martin's fortieth birthday but negotiating escalators out of order with our case and encountering closed facilities, left us tired and frustrated. Then John went to an ATM and instead of withdrawing £30 instead the option only was for £300 which he hadn't realised and this came with a shock especially as we had been spending quite heavily in London enjoying ourselves. Well, we can take stock now and I thought I would extoll the virtues of Somerset.

Somerset Art Week

After being left an unexpected legacy by my Uncle George I decided to take part in Somerset Open Studios this year.  It took place in Wellington Quaker Meeting House.  I shared the space with my Quaker Friend, Avril Silk who is a stained glass artist and writer.  I  am an amateur artist and writer. We had over one hundred visitors who signed the visitor's book and I thought it was a very pleasurable experience altogether. To see excerpts go to this link -

Somerset Open Studio Zoe And Avril


Friends old and new came to see us. We had passing trade and unexpected and wonderful conversations about art and creative writing.  The Lady Mayor of Taunton Deane made a visit for the whole of one morning and it was a real pleasure.  The following week she also visited at Taunton Library where I facilitate creative writing

I sold two paintings and many books. To see my other books go to this link-

Adult books by Zoe

To reduce publishing cost I now make my children's stories into video narrated stories for children, to see more go to my new Youtube Channel in this link

ArtBooksCraft - Zoe's Youtube channel


Somerset is a quiet and unassuming place full of hidden pleasures and happiness.  I thank all of my friends and Friends for making this county my home.  As I get older and frailer I am grateful for such things  and the peace that I have found in Somerset.