My day started with commuters at the Flying Coffee Bean, Brighton station.
Followed by a pilgrimage to Waterstones specifically to sniff books, drink coffee and sketch out of that window.
Can you believe someone had already nicked the table. What’s more, he was ‘reading’* of all thing. Outrageous!
*I very much approve of reading, just not in my seat.
Whilst the temperatures in the UK teeter above freezing, I’m warming myself up by remembering lying in a hammock, sipping juice from a huge freshly plucked coconut by the tiny island of Hon Mot, a year ago today.
The island is connected to Phu Quoc by the wobbly ‘monkey bridge’, just visible in the far right of the sketch.
Pasty legs and wonky feet are all you need to make life sweet
In between slaughtering chickens, the charismatic café owner gave these two fishermen (presumably her sons) a right ear-bending every time they stopped work to watch me sketch!
No pressure!
Even in the endless deluge of monsoon season, the ancient town, and UNESCO World Heritage Site of Hoi An is awash with colour.
When I visited this time last year, we spent the days wading through puddles, wandering through the lantern filled shops and of course, getting measured at the tailors.
View from Hoi An Roastery, Japanese Bridge
It’s common for Hoi An to suffer flooding, but that week, the waters of the Thu Bon river stayed safely between the river banks, just teetering on the verge of overflowing.
The only way to drip dry, was to consume huge amounts of strong, smoky, sugar-rich Vietnamese coffee in the various Hoi An Roastery’s scattered around the town.
So full I could pop! Hope you are having a very merry Christmas.
The lovely city of Tarragona was one of the places the human towers originated. No human towers today, but I was lucky enough to get free entry to the 1st century roman tower, as the city celebrates Tarraco’s 17 years as a World Heritage Site.
Stunning views and just time for a quick sketch of the cathedral before descending through the throngs of roman re-enactors!
For my last Inktober sketch, I wandered the residential streets of Brighton, hoping to sketch Halloween pumpkins in a doorway. Sadly it wasn’t possible without looking creepy, and not in a good way.
Pumpkinless myself, I was reduced to carving a Halloween papaya whilst watching the 1990’s TV mini-series of Stephen King’s ‘IT’. A true horror of everyday sexism.
Crimes against papaya
That Ketchup really came in handy over the last week!
I’ve really enjoyed participating in Jake Parker’s Inktober. It’s been a real challenge to produce and post something every day, as well as share work I’m not always happy with.
I’ve ruined a rucksack, a carpet and probably left unsightly stains all over Arizona, Nevada and Utah.
However, I’ve had a lovely set of supporters who have really kept me going, so thank you so much for your encouraging comments, views and likes!
I’m really looking forward to ditching the 3.5kg’s of ink bottles, pens and various sketchbooks I’ve carried everywhere this month. I’m going to be floating on air, with just one sketchbook, my tiny paint palette and a couple of pens!
Paragliders over Firle, South Downs, from the Ouse river near Lewes.
Storm clouds gathering over the i360 in Brighton.
Sketched to the tune of Sunday morning Brighton Pier classics by 10cc and Sophie Ellis-Bexter
I’m sure there used to be coffee table under there somewhere.
Still life with special fried rice and ketchup
I ended my last day in the National Parks at Zion, the most lush and colourful. This meant a very early start, to miss the holiday crowds.
A chipmunk nibbling on a prickly pear on the Kayenta Trail
A couple of people setting off up the Narrows. Would love to have done this but sadly, although I had dry pants, I didn’t have the other necessary fashionwear
Ended the day with The Watchman trail. An amazing view up the valley, although the cloud was setting in.
Goodbye Zion.
Now the joy of my world is in Zion
cmoorelife 