HOLBEACH, Lincolnshire. UK

A necessary trip to Holbeach, to get my truck serviced, produced this rapid sketch today. The journey takes me approx. an hour and I then had to wait around for a further four hours, a wait I really could have done without. I spent ages walking, what seemed like miles, looking for the cafe I visited during my last trip to Holbeach but could not find it and started to doubt what little sanity I have left. I later learned it had recently closed down!

My virus symptoms are manageable now but I still feel drained and try as I did, I could not get inspired. Tired with all the walking I finally took rest on a bench situated just outside of the church when an elderly woman asked if I minded her joining me. Hilda and I chatted for some time before she felt rested enough to continue along her way, it was a pleasure to spend time with her.
Once Hilda and I parted company I gave my small moleskin sketchbook one last tug from my bag, hoping something would catch my interest. When I realised nothing was going to attract me today I decided to simply sketch what was in front of me and get 'something' down on that cream sheet of paper.

I had just started my sketch of 'Butties', a sandwich bar across the road, when a woman walking her dog asked about my work. During our conversation I learned that Janet was also an artist and a writer. We chatted like old friends for quite some time and left with the promise to get in touch and perhaps even spend a sketch day together!

I finished colouring my sketch back at home this evening from memory which means it's probably inaccurate as my mind wasn't on top form at all today.

Hilda and Janet made my long wait bearable. The time they chose to share with me today lifted me and made an otherwise difficult and frustrating day something special to remember.
I am most grateful to them both - Thank you!

SPIKE AND VIOLET, March, Cambridgeshire. UK

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My hair is long and every time I decide to have it cut and the receptionist at the salon I am calling says 'Sorry, nothing today but I can fit you in next....' I tell them I'll check my diary and call back...which of course I don't, until the next time I decide I really need a hair cut, when the whole scenario starts over, this has been going on for two years!


Finally, I managed to get an appointment and keep it but I had an hour to kill before my stylist was free so I sat outside Panini's Cafe in March town with a long, hot, latte and sketched the front of 'Spike and Violet' hair salon. Once I finished my coffee I went across and sat inside the salon on the comfy sofa where I sketched one of the chairs before Lucy called me over to tackle my locks.

ACRE ROAD, March, Cambridgeshire. UK

Pigment liner and Derwent watercolour pencils #36 & #67 in large sketchbook moleskin

A drive into town this afternoon, to collect some last minute purchases for my Paris trip, left me with 40 minutes before the school run. Just enough time to grab a latte, cheese sandwich and a quick sketch outside my favourite cafe 'Panini's'.

Sun blazing down onto the aluminium table, latte close by, I began to scout my location and my eye fell upon Acre Road. This narrow opening between the high street shops leads the way to the library, Acre pub and the car parks, the sun cast huge shadows between the buildings and the distant hint of foliage made for an interesting composition.

I used two watercolour pencils to emphasise the tonal values in my pen sketch, while trying to consume my delicious sandwich before the sun turned it into toast!