HAMERTON ZOO, Hamerton, Cambridgeshire. UK

Hamerton Zoo is always a good day out and their recent additions made it all the more enjoyable on our trip last week.
The White Bengal Tiger and the Scarlet Ibis made it into my Summer 2007 Journal, my first visit to Hamerton with a sketchbook in tow!

PRIORY GOLF CENTRE, Wimblington, Cambridgeshire.

View across the course from hole 1

On Bank Holiday Monday we took a trip into our neighbouring village, Wimblington, to the Priory Golf Centre. A small, friendly, informal course ideal for children and families. While the kids played I perched my chair and sketched.


Hole 1

WASHBROOK FARM, Doddington, Cambridgeshire. UK

View from Washbrook Farm - Summer journal 2007

A lazy Sunday afternoon spent savouring the delights of a friend's nearby farm gave me the chance to sketch the landscape across the Fen while the opposite sex indulged in a little fly fishing on the lake.


Harry flyfishing at Washbrook Farm - Summer Journal 2007.

I was at Washbrook Farm back in June for their annual country show where I sketched members of the 13th Alabama Infantry

OLD HUNSTANTON BEACH

Summer 2007 journal

At around 3pm last Friday we took some BBQ's down to Old Hunstanton Beach and watched as the sun set on the sea. We did this last year too, hard to believe it was a year ago...Time flies!

Summer 2007 journal

MEPAL OUTDOOR CENTRE, Cambridgeshire. UK

Summer 2007 journal

Mepal never fails to interest my youngest, Harry. With it's ball pools, sand pit, splash pool and other outdoor activities Mepal provides a great day out at the bargain price of £3 per child.
I took my Niece, Harry, my Mum and a picnic!

The entrance has two huge tent like structures that roof the indoor activity buildings, I managed to capture one of them in my sketch this time around.
You can see sketches and photographs from my other visits to Mepal this year HERE and HERE.

BENWICK PLAYPARK

Summer 2007 journal

After feeding the ducks along the Nene river at Benwick, the kids and I strolled along to the nearby play park. They had fun while I tackled the impossible angles and nightmare perspectives of the resident slide!

ELY, Cambridgeshire. UK

Summer 2007 journal

A day trip with my Niece and Son to Ely resulted in a little shopping after seeking refreshments in Starbucks. I visited Tindalls stationers who stock many art materials and I purchased a W&N tube of Terre Verte watercolour and a sketchbook, with a canvas cover that you paint yourself, which was on sale for £1.99...Bargain!

We had lunch at The Maltings before stopping on the green alongside the river where I found time to make a quick sketch of The Kings School Boat Club.



Summer 2007 journal

CLEY BEACH, Norfolk Coast.

Summer 2007 journal


During a recent trip to Hunstanton Beach we hit traffic and our detour decision took us right up to Cromer, where we drove around the Norfolk Coast back towards Hunstanton, stopping to dip our toes at Cley beach along the way!

DINOSAUR ADVENTURE, Norfolk.

Absolutely fantastic day full of good 'old fashioned' fun!

DINOSAUR ADVENTURE WEBSITE

GEORGE CAMPBELL LEISURE CENTRE, March, Cambridgeshire.

Summer 2007 journal

Today we took a trip into March to the George Campbell Leisure Centre and, while I sketched, my Mum took a dip with her Grandsons.

I've sketched people almost everywhere, cafe's, shops, parks and I thought those sketches were challenging but a pool full of crazy kids letting off steam in moving water provided some brand new difficulties. I had just seconds to capture the essence of the moment before my Sons, the perspective and the light moved again changing everything completely!

Summer 2007 journal

RIVER NENE, Benwick, Cambridgeshire. UK

Summer Journal 2007

Took Harry, my youngest, to Benwick river this afternoon to feed the ducks. The sun shone brightly and quite unexpectedly and together we took full advantage of this rare pleasure.

MY YARD

Harry's Shack- Day one - Summer 2007 Journal

First day of the school, summer, six weeks holiday and first entry in my new A5 Venezia sketchbook which I have started specifically to journal about each day of the holiday.
(Read more here)
I had to scan in two halves, so my apologies for the line through the image.

Today we erected Harry's new play den that he has chosen to name 'Harry's Shack'
It's a beautiful little shed with a small veranda and high bunk inside with it's very own little stairs.
We situated it opposite the studio on the yard side, this way I can be close while he plays and do some work at the same time.

I found a blank, little, slate, name plaque I purchase some years ago and painted it up while the shack was being put together...Harry adores it!

It has drizzled with rain all day here AGAIN, the only break we had from drizzling was when the heavens opened but I am so pleased we managed to get the shack up - A great way to mark the first day of the summer holidays for a nine year old and Harry is always so very enthusiastic and grateful about everything you do for him.