Soon after we got back home we joined #UskQuezonCity at the Gateway Mall 2, Araneta City for the launch of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines’ project in celebration of history month called #HistoEX (or History to Experience). At the centre of the exhibition was this original 1955 Jeepney made by the Sarao Motors who were known for repurposing American military jeeps that were left behind after World War II, into local transportation.
Sun-25-Aug-2024
This is the last sketch from our holiday and the last one in sketchbook No.92! Our journey home was uneventful and our layover in Dubai was just long enough for me to sketch this. The teardrop shaped windows (which curve up to a peak) are covered with what seems to be an adhesive screen or mesh, which I guess is supposed to block the sunlight and keep the concourse cooler…it took me ages to copy the pattern!
Wed-21-Aug-2024
This is the last sketch I did while we were staying in Suffolk…my daughters new hiking shoes. The day I drew this we planned our meals for Womad camping, did a big shop in the supermarket, said goodbye to my mum and sister and crammed all of our luggage into the car. These shoes seem to be excited for the next leg of our holiday, as they are already walking off the edge of the page!
Thu-25-Jul-2024
On 24 July we had another morning of trying to sort out our hire car, followed by a nice relaxing walk in the “Old School Wood” and along the footpaths going towards Little Waldingfield. The Old School Wood is a community woodland bought and planted in 2008 and managed by a group of volunteers. After this we visited my mum again for a chat and a cup of coffee, when I did this sketch (featuring a bit of wonky perspective!).
Wed-24-Jul-2024
On the morning of my daughter’s birthday we went for a nice sunny walk over the road from where we stayed in Suffolk, to the nearby church in Little Waldingfield. That was after umpteen phone calls to the car hire company trying to get a replacement car because a warning light appeared on the dashboard. I was not impressed with Europcar. We couldn’t get in to the church (a pity as according to one website it has some interesting features), but sat in the churchyard and ate our sandwiches. Our afternoon (after visiting my mum) was spent at my sisters house stuffing ourselves with a veggie barbecue, strawberry merengue and cake!
Tue-23-Jul-2024
I did this sketch of the main house (behind which we were staying in Suffolk) after a day out in Bury St. Edmunds. At the time I was still getting used to it being so light in the evenings in the UK. Going out to sketch has also helped me with my jet lag…if I hadn’t done this sketch I would surely have just fallen asleep on the couch again!
Mon-22-Jul-2024
Because of the jet lag we’ve been getting up pretty early – and this gives me time to sketch in the morning before we go anywhere. This is the courtyard of the place where we are staying. On the right is the farmhouse and on the left is one of the converted outbuildings like the one that we are staying in. According to their website, the main farmhouse was built in the 1830’s.
Sun-21-Jul-2024
On the first day of our holiday we visited my sister and sat in their garden to have lunch and a cup of tea. There are flowers and greenery everywhere (my sister is an avid gardener), but I just sketched a few pot plants next to their pond.
Sat-20-Jul-2024
Here is the sketch I did while we waited for our next flight in Dubai airport (on our way to the UK from the Philippines). There are several of these ‘trees’ dotted about the place, put up, I think, by BeeTheChange.org who raise funds to support nature restoration and save pollinators. One of the hanging signs (in the shape of a bee) notes that “climate change, pesticide use and natural habitat loss has led bees and other pollinators to decline at the rapid rate of over 60% in the last 30 years!”.
Fri-19-Jul-2024