I think Gatwick is one of the most boring airports in the world. Even getting from the security to the departure area is a maze of perfumeries and then the departure area is like sitting in a shopping mall – without a window in sight. Then they only announce the gate an hour before the flight leaves, and you rush to the gate… to find you have to sit in an even more poky and overcrowded space. At least I managed to amuse myself by sketching this guy.
Sun-20-Sep-2026
I sketched this one on my last day in the UK (yes it was a very brief stopover). After packing my bags my daughters and I went for a walk in Hove Park which I have never been to before. Apparently the park covers about 40 acres and has lots of sports and play facilities – people are so lucky to have this. They also have a nice little cafe where we had a coffee and snack – and where I sketched this….very quickly!
Sun-20-Sep-2026
On my first day in Hove I did some shopping, buying prunes, vitamins, cheese and some replacement paints from Jackson’s (mostly things that are unavailable or expensive in the Philippines). My daughter and I stopped for a break and a coffee at “Sofis Coffee House” – and so she could pee. Public toilets seem to be non-existent in the UK these days. The streetscape in Hove is also dominated by bins (hence my sketch)…it’s great that they segregate and recycle…but it’s a bit ugly.
Fri-18-Sep-2026
I sketched this on my way to Hove. I felt a bit chilly sitting on the platform as the sun set – though I have no doubt most people in the UK would have considered the weather warm! I added the colour to this from a photo.
Thu-17-Sep-2026
These ceramic cockerels used to belong to my parents (my sister kept them when she cleared out their house). Apparently my mum and dad bought them on one of our first holidays to L’Estartit on the Costa Brava coast of Spain.
Thu-17-Sep-2026
On this day I walked to Brent Eleigh again to visit my mum – barely escaping the rain (and the cars on the narrow road with no footpaths).
Wed-16-Sep-2026
This is the local pub opposite my sister house. It doesn’t seem to be open very often and closes quite early – apparently it focusses on letting out rooms these days. We went out to a pub for a nice British beer in the evening (something that us a must for me, each time I am in the UK), but not this one – instead going to The Crown in Bildeston.
Tue-15-Sep-2026
On this day I walked to Brent Eleigh (where my mum stays) from my sisters house. By some miracle it was warm and sunny. Though by the time I finished my visit, the sky had darkened threatening rain again – that’s English weather for you. My mum has moved into a new room, which she is quite happy with – this is a view of the corner of the room and that’s my hat on the bed.
Tue-15-Sep-2026
This is a sketch of one of my sisters Garfield “toys” (the first that I did in the UK after a long journey from Iraq, arriving in Gatwick, crossing London and taking a train up to Manningtree the day before). She has been trying unsuccessfully to sell this on eBay. I spent my first day relaxing and visiting my mum.
Mon-14-Sep-2026