HORSE GUARDS BACK TO NORMAL

A lovely day earlier in the week.

In fact on Monday prior there was the great post - Olympic parade.

Now all England can all be grumpy again.

Cycling to Victoria I turned into the parade ground and pulled up

Warm September sun, sky union jack blue.

Horse Guards now reclaimed by tourists and civil servants beetle-like

From one meeting to the next. 
Armed police officers chatting amiably with their Heckler & Koch G36s’ slung low.

Dear London, with the Brazil Beach Volleyball teams now a summer memory.

THE GREAT £50,000 GIVEAWAY IN SOHO

Jonny and I are coming to the end of our joint executorship of the estate of the late Leslie Driscoll.

We find it most effective to share the load and execute this business over a modest lunch at Le Bar de Mache in Berwick Street in Soho, quite close to the fish and chip shop at the top end of the street.

M. Le Patron always addresses me 'Ma Cher'

On this occasion there was largesse to distribute to the twenty-nine or so beneficiaries. Over une bierre blonde we sat, signed letters and cheques, licked envelopes and our lips in anticipation of a good meal.

On this occasion super-friend Stimmy, who did his fair share of licking and sticking, joined us! 

L-R  Jonny, Timmy and Stimmy

SCARLETS OFF TO A RED HOT START

A modest crowd, some 7,000 lovely people, but those there were in good voice to see the beginning of a great season. 

My Home Counties-accented ‘Come on you Scarlets’ doubtless stood out from the Llanelli man-shouts.

On the pitch Wingers George North (Wales) and Andy Fenby scored two tries apiece as the Scarlets opened their RaboDirect Pro12 matches with a 45-20 victory over Leinster at the Parc y Scarlets. 

There were also tries for man of the match, and new signing, Liam Williams, Scott Williams and Kieran Murphy.

We had arrived early and made a tour of the retail park next to the stadium -  prior to the match’s start enjoyed a grand feast, eaten in the car and purchased fresh from Morrissons moments earlier – a perfect prelude to great rugby.

The season has started!

INSTANT PRINT? - WELL ALMOST

On the Saturday I went riding with my chums on the Berkshire Downs.

Wonderful scenery and much to draw and photograph; I returned with one sketch and several decent photos.

On the Sunday taking my drawing, and the photograph of one particular place see I created a linocut - also illustrated.

On the Monday taking my linocut and visiting my printmaking tutor to Christine Lock I used her press to create the final piece - very pleasing linocut print.

Sometimes I'm surprised at how easy it is to have an idea and take it into another medium and then move it on into print making - the final result is extremely satisfying and a privilege.