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
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
Here is another sketch done on a visit to my mum. This terracotta cat sits on her little terrace – with its back covered in plants.
Sat-25-Jul-2026