Together with what seemed to be the rest of the country, we went to Art in Action at Waterperry House today. It used to be a regular event in our diary and one to which we looked forward, but in recent years we felt it had become a little samey and so we deliberately chose not to go for a while. We stayed on the mailing list however and with the weather forecast promising the one fine day this week, we gathered up m-i-l Bettine and headed off first thing ths morning. We still didn't beat the queues

Everything is beautifully organised however, so it didn't take long to get through the gate and into the first marquee: Drawing , where we admired the work of Gill Crabbe Akasaka.

Sad to say, we didn't really tune into much of the painting, nor most of the sculpture....and our days of collecting treacly ceramics are over. We loved Jenny Crisp's baskets, however.

Shame I have no need for a boat - isn't this a lovely one? (Butler & Co)

In the textiles tent, it was interesting to chat to the embroiderers working on a new set of vestments for St Pauls Cathedral. So willing to share their knowledge and experience, delighted to find so many people interested in this magnificent project.

But what makes Art in Action special is the way in which visitors can get involved and have a go themselves. For some reason, we found this year's show rather more commercial than we recalled and so we were pleased to find this corner of the calligraphy tent set aside for what we think to be the principal purpose of Art in Action.

It was a good day, we enjoyed ourselves and can't complain about the commercial aspects when we left one or two pounds behind ourselves, mostly in the Rainbow Silks till but also for a set of Inktense pencils to take on holiday, since my Caran d'Ache Neocolour crayons have become so mucky.

Thanks to my internet friends (and Dijanne's worksheet), I have a few ideas of what to do with my Lutradur, but ideas of what the Evolon is going to do for me will be gratefully received! (No, I don't plan any hi-tech wiping....)