Good afternoon everyone.
During a few days off last week I braved the yearly ritual that is 'spring cleaning the workshop'
To be honest it is one of my least favourite jobs as it notoriously always takes double the time I expect it to...
The big clean of 2013 was no exception.
I have always made no secret of the fact that I have never been a fan of 'tidy up time' and my workshop ethos has always reflected this...
"why put stuff away when you know you are going to get it out again..."
As a result I work (to quote Mr Bea) in "utter chaos"... so when the workshop is clean, tidy and organised I have to admit to feeling more than a little out of sorts.
However this year amidst the dust filled chaos, I did manage to A/ find the floor (not seen since Easter 2012)... B/ discover several new species of (possibly) intelligent life clinging silently to the inside of two old cups and C/ unearth my much loved and slightly battered book on architecture by John Prizeman (previously believed to be lost, hence I am now the proud owner of two copies lol)...
So it wasn't all bad.
Since the 'big clean' I must confess to strangely liking the abundance of flat surfaces, relishing the calmness of an ordered cupboard and calmed by the novelty of a bin which isn't in a constant state of overflow...
In short such cleanliness is proving to be highly addictive!
But (Houston) there is a problem....
The workshop has now been transformed into my little sunny haven.
A Nanna's retreat.
A hideaway.
...Not a place of 'work'!
Take today for example... I have been sat a my workbench, faraway from the office with only bird song to serenade me... and what have I managed to cross off my 'to do list'... NOTHING!
*gasp!
To be honest my little den now looks so organised, shiny and spacious, I don't dare spoil it by working in it! Instead today it has been a joy to simply sit, gaze and ponder the possibility of work, rather than actually attempting to get any done.
Not good!
So come tomorrow, whether it pains me or not... I have solemnly promised myself that I will do my best to clutter the work tops, fill the bin and rummage unsparingly through every drawer and cupboard, as it seems that for me tidiness and productivity are like oil and water...
they simply don't mix!
Bea Broadwood
Good morning everyone!
First of all my apologies for once again shrinking away into ‘lurkdom’ mode over the last few weeks! Behind the PP scenes Tony and I have been working hard on a very special, but very large order… more information on that will be coming soon…! 
In the meantime I thought I would post a quick ‘catch up'... Last month Mr Bea and I were lucky enough to travel to beautiful Egypt, for a wonderful (and much needed) holiday! Our hotel overlooked the Red Sea and offered us just the kind of relaxation that we needed at the end of a very long spring season of shows… I was also lucky enough to celebrate my birthday whilst there with a romantic dinner for two on the beach after a day spent snorkling on the reef , heaven! I even found ‘Nemo’ whilst there, but thankfully none of his shark friends were with him!
where there are miles of cycle tracks, a beautiful walled garden and stunning scenery! Mr Bea and I did several long bike rides, had a romantic picnic and I even managed to get some sketching done too of one of the estate buildings… We also visited The 'Walled Garden' there, which was stunning and I took lots of photographs that I think miniature gardeners would enjoy, so I have uploaded a selection of them to the Miniature Beehive Forum for members to enjoy! 
I am delighted to be able to announce that for the THIRD year running a quarter scale kit from Petite Properties has won the About.com award for 
