Claire's blog

This is going to be the last picture I can take of the chicks, as I fly back to the UK tomorrow after a very enjoyable Festival. They’re very active now, and I shouldn’t think they’ll be in the nest for much longer. The poor parents have been run ragged trying to keep them fed!

Their markings are very distinct now, and if it wasn’t for the larger beaks on the babies it would be hard to tell them apart from their parents. They’ve changed so much over the last week, it would be hard to believe if I hadn’t seen it.

The Festival’s been a lot of fun, with more coach trips and people passing through than ever before. In an effort to entice people to visit the studios as well as the marquees we went festive and hung bunches of balloons everywhere.

This was definitely an opportunity for a group picture!

From the left you’re looking at Lora, me, Mandy (sitting), Maria, Tas (at the front), and Jo. As you can see, the weather has been fantastic.

When we got a quiet moment, it was a chance for us to have a look around the marquees ourselves. As always there was some great stuff to see, and I found the time to attend a class on how to use Derwent’s new Inktense pencils – which of course meant I had to buy a set!