I was woken on Christmas morning by the sound of the clock downstairs chiming 7.00am. It was made by my brother and belonged to my Mother and Father. I love being woken by the chimes as it always reminds me of them - happy memories!  So I hope everybody has a lovely, peaceful and relaxing Christmas and here's to a good 2014!

Le Coin, Rudelle, France

A short stay in a small but delightful cottage called Le Coin in Rudelle. Had some great walks, drank too much and really relaxed.....lovely! The Old Bat wasn't flattered by my view of her - she moved on when she saw me sketching her in the lounger and did comment that I should not have included her in the sketch!

L

Chez Roullet, La Bouffie, France

I was just sitting, relaxing on the balcony and my flip flops (thongs to the Old Bat) were perched against the terracota pot making an interesting subject to sketch. So.......out came the pencils and pens!

 Lot et Garonne, France

A series of pen sketches whilst cycling, sitting (with chilled beer in hand) or eating whist on a weeks trip to France. My missus seems to have this amazing ability to fall asleep given any spare time and a good book. I'm sure this is not a reflection on the quality of the writing but more on the deep relaxed state she can achieve after lunch!

The Old Bat and I have just returned from a wet, rainy week in France. We had a lovely little place called Chez Roullet in a small hamlet called La Bouffie. The view from the balcony made up for the weather and.....instead of sunning I got a few sketches done! A great reconstruction effort by Stephen and Gaynor our hosts for the week.

I was sitting in Pret in the Strand very early the other morning (I was the first customer) and, in view of the lack of interesting subject matter for my sketchbook, I drew the mess on the table in front of me. I really must dump some of the rubbish I carry around with me all the time before my back gives way!

My notes on the sketch say it all really.....

I was up in Norfolk for a couple of days and took myself on a couple of very long, snowy walks. It was freezing!

When I got back I unpeeled my feet and put them on a chair and picked up my sketchpad whilst they were thawing out. We never thank our feet enough for carrying us around through thick and thin over many years.

So........thank you feet!