Nature still astounds me, I am being surprised to the core constantly; today was one of those times. But first, the picture below. A tug which Liz and myself saw the other week at Climping in the River Arun estuary, across the water from Littlehampton. The situation: well, a lovely warm late sunny afternoon, after a challenging walk across the fields and we were hot and tired, when we came to a steep estuary bank, we climbed it and found before us as we topped the rise the Wendy Anne 2, a tug boat, so with sandy grass tussocks, giving us soft places to sit on, then with biscuits, cake and hot coffee produced from our bags a sketch was a must.  So before us on the water was this rather grand if dilapidated tug boat. Now as a bonus several large (about 2 feet long) grey mullet fish were searching in circles for food in the shallows just six feet from me. I doesn't get much better than that. The only down bit, was that the coffee in the flask was getting cold!

Now about nature astounding me. Yesterday we were on a very old footpath between Purford and Old Woking, I looked up and saw a buzzard, which to the uninitiated is an eagle sized bird of prey and the way in which it was flying said that it was unhappy about something. Looking closer it was surrounded by about a dozen or so parquets (that doesn't look right and the spell check isn't helping); anyhow a small green parrot type bird of which many live locally. They were introduced locally when an individual released them into the wild some years ago and they seem to be very happy and are flourishing ( I believe that they all have up to date passports). I realized what type of bird they are by their shape, a bit like a very small green macaw, about the size of a black bird. Whatever, these numerous small birds had had enough of this buzzard  trying to eat them and they were what is called "mobbing" it. That is, when a crowd of small birds fly above the enemy and constantly dive at it, forcing it down to the ground. Obviously the buzzard didn't stick around for to long, it cleared of to find easier food. I don't blame him.

Oh well see you soon.

Duncan

 Good morning and what a lovely one it is; commitments not being until a little later in the day we strolled into town calling at the Lightbox for a coffee, very nice; now we are home and getting on with life's chores. Yesterday we did a slightly longer than usual walk over the fields between Knaphill and Heath Common. The weather was a royal mixture from down pouring rain, to bright sunshine, with everything between and under those varying conditions we passed the tree stump below.

On mucky days many people put their cameras away, well I would most certainly challenge that attitude. Rain washes everything, cleans it and makes nature look anew. Sunlight makes it sparkle. Overcast conditions providing it isn't to dark, makes colours deepen, without burning out the high-points and also reflecting light into the shadows; so images taken under those conditions, when taken with care, tend to glow.  We can see into the shadows, whilst also seeing the shinny edges on the leaves. If you are a techy sort of photographer, under expose very slightly, but not to much, say about a quarter to a third of a stop. For example see the above.

For those of you who might feel that my ink work is being neglected, yesterday, after quite a struggle ,the above was finished. An oldish oak tree. The textures and details of the trunk, leaves and undergrowth, were very difficult to produce and having finished it, I realized how challenging the piece had been to complete. Upon completion I must admit to a sigh of relief! Oh well, on to the next piece.

Going for my flu jab now; see you soon.

Duncan

Nutbourne, where Liz and myself have just had a short break, is on the north edge of the South Downs, is beautifully verdant farm land which is crisscrossed by endless amazing county lanes which seem to be dug deep into the landscape; on occasion having hedges and banks over twenty feet above the roads. The above water-colour sketch is of Gay Lane about two hundred yards from our cottage. Remember that a sketch is a quick impression, made by working rapidly and almost throwing the paint onto the paper. With care, yes: but also with a, lets see what will happen, sort of  attitude. The two photos below are also of near the cottage on Gay Lane.

So we are home and had a lovely time, the weather remains superlative, just how long for we will have to wait and see. Liz and myself were talking today about the pandemic and on the news tonight Boris tells us that the second wave is with us. This is bad news and grim to hear, so we need to prepare for hard times ahead.

Yes it is right and normal to be a little anxious, but it is not right or healthy to be over scared and  going around all the time worrying.

So Liz and I have decided to build up a store, not in panic buying at the supermarket, but rather in good memories, on pleasant things and the best thoughts to wish and wait for. For us that means working hard at encouraging one another and doing and recording events and happening which we will want to remember; for us one of those things are our country walks as my last picture today shows you. But the most important thing to remember is this, "God loves and cares for you"; hold on to that and whatever happens, you will be safe.

So above ,a lane near our cottage is good and nice thing to remember.

 

 Hello and what a super break which Liz and myself have just had in Sussex. We stayed in Nutborough, which is very close to Pulborough, neither of which you probably heard of, never mind. The hamlet is just to the north of the South Downs, in beautiful rolling, undulating farm lands, with foot paths in every direction, most of which, with a few exceptions were well maintained; but more of that for another day..

To start with lets have the last day first. We ambled back via Uppark, a stately home which is just inside Hampshire. As usual upon finding the best view, a sketch was started, as apparently the lady of the manor was looking out of her windows and saw this rather suspicious character out side her rather grand house; so she then wandered towards me with two small dogs in tow. Nice lady, who had a very jaunty Kestrel fight feather pushed into her hair. We chatted, she liked my work, I liked her feather; she had picked the feather up earlier when out with the dogs. Rather nicely she gave rather splendid feather to me as a gift.  Very nice, it soon became the subject of a water colour, see above.

Shortly after she left,  a pleasant young lady sat near me, we chatted  for a while, whilst I did the two above sketches, after which Liz and myself ate our picnic in front of the hall. Altogether a rather pleasant visit.

A lovely break, but at the same time it is always nice to be home again.

Duncan

 

l

This morning to be honest I felt a little delicate, so an easy short walk/stroll was in order, I don't push  myself hard all the time, occasionally it is OK to go easy; let yourself be off duty so to speak and relax a little. Amazingly this easy short walk/stroll just worked sublimely. We walked only a short distance along the Basingstoke Canal near Knaphill, it loosened me up, my spirits rose and as a result, I felt better.  Now the walk; the light was just right, clouds were acting as super diffusers and with the right subject, a super shot full of feelings was possible, note the above. The foot path was quiet as well so we met a few, but not to many people. Also a sketch appeared, so all in all, I enjoyed myself and Liz had a good read as we chatted away.

The sketch was only small, about 2.5 by 3 inches, but being that size they don't take to long to produce.

So all in all a rather nice, relaxing stroll.

Just in case you miss me, from now until next Saturday Liz and myself are having a few days off for a little R and R. I'll tell you about that in a weeks time.