Anyone strolling voluntarily within near range of a Russian border might be foolhardy, mad or simply curious for Georgia is one of those tiny wedges of a country at the end of the Black Sea partly occupied by Russia (in their inimitable style) as well as a northern border that ranges across the High Caucasus in which we we walking. Thankfully the mountains were high enough and ice clad with glaciers - albeit they were retreating - to act as a useful barrier for both the indigenous... and their guests. We pressed on into those massives at a level about ...
We rushed away from the dull post Christmas weather at short notice and Morocco came up trumps. As quick breaks go we accumulated good time at the sketch pad. Whether seated at street corners or high in the Atlas the warm daytime in clean air provided a soft sunlight with which to work. The fishing boats in Essaouria are famous: but to see the basic construction methods with those hammering, sawing, sanding, cutting, and calking in each trade working in rhythm was fascinating. And in the medina walking and cycling in the tight streets is nicely quiet as we wander from market ...
We all sat in the balmy afternoon air under the oaks not fifty paces from Fazende where we often spend a summer holiday. And with a little direction and collaboration took in the shapes and hues of the collection of buildings. Transposing colour and shades made for a delicious array of images all saying the same thing. Well done to the etudiantes Molly, Katie, Imo, Paddy and Serena and look forward to their exhibitions of work in years to come.
Everyday for ten days the rhythm was much the same. Enjoyable and arduous in equal measure and without doubt cathartic after a nasty bout of covid in the confines of the West Country. As I make my way from Le Puy en Velay in the Auvergne and at five-thirty in the morning the rousings of fellow walkers would start: so that by first light we could step into the freshness of the day well before the unforgiving sun took hold. Breakfast maybe a scratchy apology for nourishment as we clambered to get out to take full advantage of the early part of ...
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A few days in the olive trees brought by the Venetian a few hundred years ago the need to put down marks was in the air. And that we did. from place to place where we perched the night thanks to friends with high places. Our gratitude for the company and cosy bed to they who know who they are with wonderful spots with views sunsets and tranquility. Thank you.
Who would ever have thought that to follow trails through a grecian mountain range might beat those azure blue island beaches and all the sun that goes with it. Well we did both and the novelty of the hills alive with no-one was a delight. Staying in high villages of a lost age where the building are fine and the aspects tremendous but alas devoid of the young and proper activity or even a shop. So that might be a detraction, though not really as we found the solitude of the hills, the ravines and the wonderful trees, a place ...
Every day that the sun rises so magnificently over the sea is a sight to behold from the end of the Cobb wall and no boat needed. On the other hand boats were the only thing needed by the locals unabashed by the madding crowds to be a part of the sail-by to celebrate the 100 years of the sailing club. An ancient time-held tradition from the Greeks we had everyone from the harbourmaster and the RNLI to the six man gigs with every type of sail lining up and quietly past the decorated committee boat PJ for the dipping of the ...
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If we couldn't get abroad we had to return to the old hunting grounds on the Cornish coast. The trick was to avoid the traffic and to get into a spot away from those who would normally be in the med. That was only possible by leaving a eleven at night and booking the lodgings two years ago and we squeezed north and south in all weathers. We got jabbed by the wind, jabbed by the rain and nothing else to worry about but food and our maps. Doubly good for the soul. Helford on the Lizard side - as glorious ...
Using a variety of media and styles the work responds to mood and geography but is more than often an observation of simple scenes in everyday life and on the travels across Europe.
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