THE FIVE ALLS, Benwick, Cambridgeshire. UK

The Five Alls Are:
I govern all. -I pray for all. - I plead for all. - I fight for all. - I pay for all

The Five alls is the only remaining pub in Benwick and was the focus of my trip yesterday morning. I parked my truck at the top of Skeifs Row, facing the pub, and sketched it in my large watercolour moleskin sketchbook.

CROSS KEYS INN, Chatteris, Cambridgeshire. UK

You may remember I sketched the exterior of the Cross Keys Inn from outside the Old Bakery Cafe a couple of days ago, well yesterday I went inside!

I saw the 'Morning Coffee' sign as I was driving through Chatteris and decided to park up and pop in and I am so pleased I did, what a feast for the eyes! The inside decor consists of an inglenook fireplace, old blacked beams, brass and iron tools and ornaments, big lamps and cosy sofas and chairs.

I sat in one of the bars, on a little sofa, sipping my latte with just the two cleaners for company, both very friendly ladies with kind smiles, from here I sketched the scene before me in my large moleskin.

CROSS KEYS INN, Chatteris, Cambridgeshire. UK

A quick sketch of The Cross Keys Inn, sketched from the Old Bakery Cafe late morning yesterday while sipping on a hot milk coffee.

The CHEQUERS INN, Wisbech St. Mary

"Approximately a mile beyond Bunkers Hill you enter Tholomas Drove where a Free School once stood. It was built by a Quaker farmer, Francis Hardy around 1700. On the right as you pass through the hamlet you will see another ancient hostelry, the Chequers Inn. Because Tholomas Drove is geographically situated in the centre of the parish, the school and the Inn were host to many activities associated with 19th Century life in the villages. When the Parish Council was formed it originally used the old schoolroom for its meetings before transferring to the Inn. The Parish Council still meets in the Chequers Inn Clubroom."

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On the morning of 21-3-07 I met with my friend Joan for our usual Wednesday sketch day together. The icy weather was no deterrent for us as we headed towards Wisbech St Mary in Cambridgeshire. Our destination for the day was Peckover House in Wisbech, however, knowing that the house did not open it's doors until midday, we took advantage of the slip road opposite The Chequers Inn in Tholomas Drove and sketched in the comfort of Joan's car on our way.

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As the clock approached midday we headed towards Peckover House...