Two Days in Northern France.

Two November days spent in the Baie de Somme area of France gave an opportunity to remember the wide countryside vistas of sea, marsh and sky plus the interesting preserved steam railway that links Le Crotoy, Noyelles, St-Valery-sur Somme and Cayeux.

The Station at Le Crotoy.

Steam and Speed.

An engine leaves the shed amid  noise and steam!

 Two landscapes at Le Crotoy.

 Shopping in the village with dress stalls and seafood speciallities.

 Driving the steam train round the Baie.

These are some of my sketches, some very brief, of various scenes and maybe ideas for  future paintings!

A Week in Mykonos!

A late autumn holiday on the Greek island of Mykonos gave another opportunity for some quick sketching moments.

These two goats seemed locked in combat as they tumbled about the rocks!

Two small watercolour impressions of the Paraportiani Church and a plant by the sea bring memories  of colour and textures seen.

 

At the monastery of Ano Mera peace and tranquillity is enhanced by glorious flowering trees.  

 

 

Cafe conversations!

Panormous Beach with the magic of mist over the mountains. Light and colour are an ever changeing tapestry of pleasure in Greece.

A Weekend of Music and Dance!

These are my drawings from last weekend when Wicket Brood morris dancers hosted a visit from some members of Leipzig Morris.
A brilliant weekend full of music, dance, food, sun and, above all, friendship!

Saturday was spent on a canal journey along the Grand Union Canal, with two boats belonging to team members and friends. Of course there was music all the way and stops for pubs, lunch and dance!

London was the venue for Sunday's events, starting with coffee (it was an early start). Then dancing by Tower Bridge with City Hall in view,  followed by a boat trip to Greenwich to finish by the Cutty Sark.

Our visiters are back home again now, with promises for return visits soon!

Three weeks in France, sketchbook selection.

These are some of my sketchbook pages from our three weeks travelling in France. The first drawing is a man relaxing on the ferry to Callais. I wonder if he is going on holiday also!

After a night in Le Crotoy (Pas de Callais) we made our way west, with stops at Honfleur and Mont St Michel. These are both interesting in their own way but are certainly catering for tourists on a grand scale.

We planned a visit to the amazing Maritime festval at Brest 'Les Tonnerres 2012' and spent two great days full of music, dance and tall ships from round the world.

A week by the coast at Pen an Cap in Brittany was a welcome break from travelling and included an Apple Festival in the picturesque village of Fouesnant. Along with the apples there was cider, cake, Breton music and dance plus sunshine!

A wonderful highlight of the trip was a day in Paris where we met up with my Flickr/facebook friend  Masha and her husband. This really was a special day  spent walking, eating and visiting the Jardin des Plantes. Masha, a botanical artist and I were able to spend some time sketching together.

After Paris it was back to Le Crotoy for some last paintings and then to the port for a wine shopping event and the ferry home:)

 My Greek sketchbook diary for 2012.

 A quiet corner of the old town in Naxos.

 St George Beach Naxos.

A rainy afternoon on my balcony brought some gentle colour.

Naxos 2012.

 NAXOS 2012

Some watercolour glimpses of life as it occurred on the Greek island of Naxos.



Cheerful glowing plant on a wall at Aperanthos.

 My very own palm tree in the evening!

Whilst waiting for the ferry to Piraeus I could'n't resist sketching Spirodos and Christos with their musical luggage. They were going to Paros to entertain people with defi (tambourine) and barrel organ.

On the beach Naxos Town!

Going for a swim!

'Rochester Conversations'

Couldn't resist drawing these colourful people at Rochester Sweeps' Festival.
There was plenty of music and dance despite the cold and rain!