Thursday 13 October 2011

Catching up

Thought it was about time to catch up although not a great deal has been happening on the home front. However last Monday I took my camera out for a walk on Sharpenhoe Clappers to enjoy the last day of the 'heatwave'.
I bought myself an impromptu sandwich and ate it sitting by the car park enjoying this view, with the wind blowing in my hair.
Then I set off along the path ...

to emerge with a view across Bedfordshire.



Although very sunny, it was hazy in the shadows and I think the Travellers' Joy (aka Old Man's Beard) that smothers the hedgerows gives these bushes an almost eery appearance 


 It was very windy on top of the hill and there was the continual clatter of beech masts falling from these magnificent trees.  It looked as if someone had been trying to improvise some shelters with fallen logs.

As well as the magnificent beeches I love ash trees. Their leaves make a beautiful tracery against the sky.

I always like to keep my eye on the ground too ...

...however unfortunately, when I was nearly back at the car and on the tarmac path, I turned my ankle on a beech mast and hit the deck.  I was thankful that I had put my camera in my bag and managed to avert an expensive trip!  However I did cut my hand and knee AND TROUSERS.  It was a good job no one was around as I must confess to uttering a loud expletive as I landed.  If any of you watched Steven Fry's Planet Word you'll understand that this was to relieve the pain.  Luckily no lasting damage was done, although I was so cross with myself - I have very wobbly ankles and have to take care.  I had picked my way gingerly across the rough ground, but with the car in sight I let down my guard! I have said before that I can turn my ankle on a sixpence and devoted a whole post to my tripping disasters here.


Kitchen shelf


I am finding the Creative Sketchbook course with Design Matters great fun, and I am very impressed with the material and immediate feedback. I would not hesitate to recommend it (It's full at the moment) if Linda and Laura Kemshall run it again. I have finished the first module so here are a few more of my pages.



forks,

knives

and spoons.
I'm moving out of the kitchen now and into colour!

My best wishes to all of you - several of you seem to be having a bit of a rough time lately, and what ever you do take care - watch out for those beech nuts - tripping hazard!!

11 comments:

Susan D said...

Hope you feel better soon.

Luv the work you've done on the sketchbook course I'm still working on Module 1 but I'm learning such a lot. Looking forward to working in colour :)

ju-north said...

Pleased no lasting damage was done to your ankle! Sharpenhoe Clappers - what a name to conjure with! What is/are Clappers? that could be a challenge - shut your eyes and draw/make what you think of when you hear Sharpenhoe Clappers!

Heavens2Betsy said...

Such a fabulous place to visit here. I really enjoy your photographs and descriptions. So sorry to hear about your fall. penny

Jane said...

Glad you didn't come to grief, Jill - I know all about turning ankles!

menopausalmusing said...

I was marvelling at the name "Sharpenhoe Clappers" too - wonderful! Glad no serious injury to your ankle.

Those sketchbook pages are just great. Some lovely, lovely images............

LAC EMP 2020 said...

Oh Jill, you came a cropper going like the clappers... at the Clappers. Go careful girl, what with Jane E's broken arm, Jane W's eye problems and your dodgy ankles I think I need to watch where I'm going.... just in case. So glad you're enjoying the sketchbooks course. Their professionalism is second to none and the work you're doing is fabulous.Beautiful photos by the way. You can tell you're a great photgrapher - you look up and down as well as in front of you! Lesley x

Emma said...

Poor you! I tripped on nothing, once, reached out to save myself & gouged a hole in my arm on a door latch! What are we like - lovely trip out tho (he he!)Maybe the time of year some of us are flat? Goes with the creative spirit I guess 7 what wonderful supportive bloggers there are ;)

Not a new palette, those cards, more from old designs(but glad you liked them!) - I could enjoy the process but not stress over new ideas. Thought I'd shown them before.

Els said...

Hi Jill, (found you through Jacky Cardy) lovely surroundings! Your scethbook is great, I very much like to draw myself, but never started a "scetch book" ... (will look up that course ....)

Karen said...

I do hope you have recovered...one moments lapse and we are on our rear ends, I'm good at that too. Your drawings are fantstic....

harmony and rosie said...

Do hope you're on the mend now Jill, sounds quite nasty plus we grown ups have much further to fall than children.
Absolutely amazing drawings, you are so gifted.
Take care
x

Amelia said...

hope you are well and your ankle is okay! The sketchbook course looks great and your photos are beautiful.

Amelia.x