Here is a sketch done during a brief trip to the beach in Hove. I didn’t swim, but paddled…compared to the sea in the Philippines it was like standing in ice water. The day before this I spent a quiet day finishing half done sketches and also went to Jackson’s in Hove to indulge.
Fri-31-Jul-2026
After our long walk over the Downs we walked around Lewes seeing the castle, a church, down the Twittens (a “twitten” is an old Sussex word for a narrow path or alleyway running between walls or buildings and Lewes has a famous network of these Saxon pathways), through Southover Grange Gardens (set next to the 16th-century Southover Grange Manor House) where we had ice creams and then to Priory Park. This is a public park build around the remains of the 11th-century Priory of St. Pancras, mostly demolished in 1537, I believe by Henry VIII.
Wed-29-Jul-2026
On this day we did a long walk over Malling downs and through the nature reserve there, outside Lewes. It turned out to be one of the hottest days of the week. Not a cloud in the sky and two trees to shade under, one frequently used by a cow. We stopped at one of the first cafes we found when we got into town, with a nice space to cool down.
Wed-29-Jul-2026
After our long walk into Brighton we stopped at the little cafe in the Pavilion gardens for lunch and I sketched these random people. I think this sketch works better than most of my usual efforts, because I restrained my urge to colour everything and left some parts white!
Tue-28-Jul-2026
On our first day in Hove we went for a nice long walk into Brighton. It was roasting hot and sunny – so we stopped several times to rest (also avoiding the little Victorian cast-iron shelters which although lovely shaded spots, mostly smelt of urine and were clearly sadly occupied regularly by rough sleepers).
In the background of this sketch is a circus and the famous beach huts, with a sculpture in the foreground (as per the title of this sketch) by Pierre Diamantopoulo. It is inspired by a broken lobster pot found on the beach, with the sea creatures that escaped translating into a human story of exodus …dashing for freedom.
Tue-28-Jul-2026
On this day we drove down to Hove – after saying goodbye to my mum in Suffolk. I sketched this when we arrived at my daughters house in the evening.
Mon-27-Jul-2026
This was my second attempt at sketching my sister’s house. This time I managed to include the big living room window. I think the row of houses used to be shops at one time.
Sun-26-Jul-2026
I sketched this on our last full day in Suffolk. After visiting my mum we found somewhere to go for a walk and have a little picnic.
Sun-26-Jul-2026
After visiting my mum and my sister we went out for a walk around Clare Country Park again, before dinner. This building is next to a big old house called the Mill House and has what looks like the remains of a water wheel or sluice next to it.
Sat-25-Jul-2026