As some of you may have gathered from the recent lack of posts, I have been on holiday for a week. Surfing in Cornwall, in Polzeath to be exact.

A very pleasant week: although the waves were only good on two days, it was glorious weather throughout, so plenty of fresh air and sea, with some fantastic meals in the evenings.

I like Polzeath: very poor ‘phone signal so unlikely to get bothered by work in the few hours that I’m not in a wetsuit, small enough to lack any sort of night life (except for a couple of restaurants) and we’re lucky enough to stay somewhere that’s only a five minute walk from the beach.

And lovely to get back to a Painting Challenge inbox packed full of entries. I highly recommend everyone visits the individual galleries, and here’s a selection of work from this week’s entrants to encourage you to do so: