Cornish Cream

Up and out this morning early. Brush on paper by 7am. Everyone still in bed in holiday mode. It's the best thing for me, always up with the lark.

This is Germoe churchyard in Cornwall - not far from Penzance.

The early morning light was in need of capturing.

Here is a little scene from the garden. I love the brick paved stonework and the little picket fences.

Some beautiful Cornish cottages on the Helford River. Not enough time to paint everything unfortunately!

In Godolphin House there was an old collection of carts to be restored. I wish they would leave them like this really.

My daughter below celebrating the beach at the wonderful Kynance Cove.

We are staying in this lovely thatched cottage and I'm wondering if I can claim "squatters rights"?

A Walk and a Bike Ride

Early early light is a beauty. On Sunday morning I was out on my new bicycle - all sit up and beg and girlie basket - in the misty low light of a damp but sunny spring morn.

This photo, unbelievably taken with my iphone and unadulterated, is probably my favourite image of any I've captured.

The bike is my new trusty steed with which I will discover some trackways amongst the urban sprawl where I live in Middle England.

The canal ways are calling for more sketching so there are some lovely tow path scenes to unearth this summer for me.

Today I walked on Highgate Common near Kinver Edge with my good friend Fiona Mill.

We hit upon a little pond, a haven for wildlife, quite un disturbed and amongst the peeping of jay birds and some rather less inspiring mosquitos, we sketched and painted. So peaceful. The time flew.

The light was poor and flat and it was a struggle to find where it was really coming from but a yellow wash background provided luminosity where it may have hidden.

Green woodpeckers and many pond insects were unaware of two women becoming at one with their surroundings. Some even tried to feature in the sketchbook - very arty!