February brings us a month closer to the prospect of bright, warm, sunny days in beautiful surroundings with like-minded often very gifted friends old and new.

Although as Interests Abroad we have become well-known and, for an increasing number of artists the best in painting holidays - we know because they tell us so! - we've chamged our company name to Painting Activities, mainly because that is what we do. It also makes sense because it's the same as our website www.paintingactivities.co.uk

Take a look if you've not recently done so. You'll recall that we had our millisecond of fame in Channel Four TV's 'More Chaos in the Castle' a title which sold Patrick and Colette at Chateau Ribagnac very short, since the only chaos on view was that repeated from the previous show two or three years ago when this game couple were frantically - and very successfully - preparing their enchanted new property in the heart of France Profunde for business!

Our weekend workshop last summer, led by one of our best known tutors, Sylvia Paul,was very briefly filmed and given a quick flash in the programme.

Nevertheless Di and I are happy to say our May week this year at Chateau Ribagnac not far from Limoges, is complete and Patrick and Colette's dream of inviting painters to work at the chateau that 150 years ago attracted artists of the stamp of Delacroix to its lovely grounds.

We'll be returning there for another week in September when the gardens of the park begin to take on an autumn hue. But for real colour contrast it would be hard to beat the French Alps above Morzine at Au Coin du Feu where we shall be enjoyng flaming June and the golden glory of balmy October.

Meantime the ever-popular Chateau La Celle Guenand will be hosting us again, set in the gently rolling hills and waterways of the Loire Valley, and after our sell-out success at Shorland Old Farm last year we shall be paying our midsummer visit to Exmoor, our first UK location.

Artists with fond memories of Vellano will be glad to know that Rachel, warm hostess of our base at the Antica Locanda del Borgo is hoping to welcome guests to her delightful villa which, like the locanda's terrace, overlooks the green Tuscan landscape with its lush valleys and tiny hilltop towns. You'll recall that very tragically her husband, Michele, died suddenly early last year leaving Rachel and their two childen, Julia and Joe. Without his support as landlord and chef Rachel was forced to put the locanda up for sale and we awai with interest to see whether it could return to the friendly little hotel we came to love.

You can see Rachel's villa on www.vellanovilla.com.

Our locations are booking well and Di and I look forward to hearing from you, hoping you might join us.

Artists with fond memories of