For the first time in almost two years, my wife and I had the same day off and babysitting cover, so we had a real-actual date. Fantastic food at the Lark. Lots of delightful small, sharing plates and spot on balance of attentive/discrete service. Definitely going to find a way to dump the kids and do this again. Jay Rayner was right. It really is special there. #food

Having sick day today. With a quiet house and not enough oomph to do anything else, the cat and I played half a game of X-Wing. I really need to play this more often. I’d forgotten just how much fun it can be. Need to practice reducing my collisions though. #StarWars #xwingtmg

Been aback from the sea for a week and I was missing it so I treated myself and made a special lunch today. Moules marinière. Absolutely delicious with baguette from the local fancy bakery. Next time I’ll use a Picpoul instead of a sav blanc and see what works best. #wine #Cooking

First time back in Saundersfoot since the end of summer. I’d heard that the cliff had collapsed over the old mining cart tunnel walkway, I didn’t know it had been this dramatic though.

Not a lot of painting done this last week but I have been busy with another hobby and I’ve treated myself with some new tools for it. Proper copper is a bit too elaborate for my being a responsible parent wallet, but I’m pretty happy with the quality of these triple ply sauté and saucier pans. Just in time for sea bass with burrre blanc for supper on Monday.

As my daughter was helping with the vegetables tonight I commented how her hairband made her look live Vermeer’s Girl With a Pearl Earing. After arguing that she can’t because she doesn’t have earrings, I showed her a photo of the painting. Apparently it’s boring and she can paint better.

The Doom Wheel is progressing. Fewer progress pics of this because base paints on large quantities of metal features are just a slog. Gold, bronze and steel all highlighted so now I can move into the crew and Warpstone. #Skaven

Ostensibly, I’ve had a day off with the house to myself for most of it. Unfortunately it’s been one of those housework heavy days. I did set a timer and sit down for an hour after lunch to magnetise bases. Two clan rat and two plague monk squads have used up almost all my new pack of magnets. This evening I’ve started basecoatjng the wooden Doom Wheel parts. #Skaven

Picked up my Plague Priest order from the local GW shop. The manager apologised that it’s resin, we thought it would be metal. I’m actually in the minority that like the resin minis. My first full time job involved being a mould maker and fettling would be the done in the relaxing end of the day so I find it quite comforting. The only problem I have is that not having made the mould myself I always have a suspicion I haven’t found one of the bleed cuts and won’t discover it until I’m painting.

Another part of the herb garden planning. I seeded coriander and flat leaf parsley and left them to grow in the porch. They’re finally at the stage where the seedlings are looking slightly different.