A few months ago, I mentioned to some cycling buddies that I had signed up for a local 6 week watercolour painting class. The next thing I knew, 3 of them were also coming. 😁 None of us were able to attend all 6 classes, but all enjoyed the ones we managed to attend. Gill who is very artistic anyway, thought it would be nice for the group of "artists" to spend a few days in Devon. I said yes please, not realising that she was inviting us to stay at her home in Woolacombe. Even better. A date was settled for 19th September. This turned out to be the day of the Queen's funeral, so we decided to leave after lunch, catching up with the Windsor service highlights on TV in the evening.
Andrea, also a cycling buddy but not an artist, but a friend of Gill's for many years, also joined us. We knew she would join our walks etc, but otherwise thought she might just read a book? But no! Andrea had bought a few painting essentials, and borrowed a few, so she was willing to get stuck in to have a go. Well done Andrea. Gill was keen to get us painting "En Plein air" aka outside!!
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This colourful Amaryllis was in full flower at the front door.
Gill had never seen it flower in 15 years! |
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| Within a few minutes of arriving, we walked to the top of this hill. |
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| A steep ascent! Gills house just visible in the far distance. |
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| A handy bench at the top. |
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| We then passed through the village of Morthoe on our return loop. |
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| Gill's house in the distance at the high point. |
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| A beautiful evening, but with a big bank of grey cloud. |
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| Lundi Island just about visible on the horizon. |
Jeanette had cooked at very tasty chicken casserole to bring with her, and I had baked chocolate fondants for dessert. Louise brought a bottle of bubbly for PDDrinks, and Andrea some wine. Yum.
DAY 2, and we headed down to the beach across the road, called Combesgate Beach, to do some "quick sketches" as Gill described them. I took me several minutes to get organised! I was not alone in finding this first outdoor challenge difficult, but at least we each produced something.
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| Combesgate Rocks |
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| Combesgate Beach |
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We spent about a hour, no more, then climbed back up the steps to walk into Woolacombe
and continued to the sand dune area called Woolacombe Warren |
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| Now to chose a spot to paint again for another half hour session. |
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| Photo by Gill |
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| I chose this spot. |
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| Artistic licence! |
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| Louise chose to paint Jeanette in amongst the dunes. |
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| Andrea's pencil sketch of building in the distance. Well done! |
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| Gill's quick sketch using brushes with a water supply built in. |
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| At the least the sand was soft, unlike the rocks had been earlier. |
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| We walked back via the main Woolacombe Beach |
Back to the house for lunch. Home made sausage rolls provided by Louise, followed by Flapjacks by Louise or Cookies made by Andrea. (We didn't starve!) Later, Gill suggest a swim at Barracane Beach, just a few yards further along, and her preferred area to get in, since it gets deeper quite quickly. I'm not a great swimmer, so opted out. Gill lent them all towel robes and with their black polo necks the reminded me of Nuns. 😂
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| Nuns on the run😅 |
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| In they go. |
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Since I didn't swim, I did a 10 minute sketch challenge.
I've had a box of pastels for 35 years and never used them. Well now I have! |
Back home, and such a lovely evening, a bit more art on the terrace.
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| My attempt at Gill's Hydrangeas |
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| G&T oclock |
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| around 7.30pm |
Dinner tonight was provided by Gill who had bought Salmon from Hatleypool, via Woodley. Lovley chunky fish, followed by Ice cream, cookies and melted dark chocolate. And possibly a glass or two of wine.
Day 3 was a trip south via Barnstable to Appledore, across the estuary of the River Torridge, over the bridge from Instow. I had been here before but the light was not good that day, so it was lovely to see it in sunshine. We spent a couple of hours walking around Appledore, but no painting, even though we all carried our rucksack of supplies just incase.
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| The Anchor covered in crochet flowers. |
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| Tide out, but by the time we left it was in. |
We had a cuppa and a scone at a cafe, sitting in the garden. Jokingly I suggested we could so a 10 minute sketch whilst waiting for our food. Louise was game and set to sketching the wicker basket on the table, and the rest of joined in drawing whatever was facing us. 😅
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| Look at the concentration on our faces! Is this relaxing? |
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| Tide now in. |
Gill suggested we drive over the estuary to Instow, looking back at Appledore for our next outdoor challenge.
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| Arriving at Instow Beach |
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I set up a timelapse whilst we sat here, so when I make the film,
the clouds will be whizzing by.... hopefully. |
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This little scene behind the beach, and also where
John and I stopped when we cycled part of the Tarka trail. |
And then Gill asked if we wanted to try body boarding, since the tide was on it's way in, and the waves were looking ideal for beginners on Combesgate Beach. She had wet suits to fit everyone, apart from Andrea. I was nervous, so didn't go but as soon as they got in, I was wishing I had joined them, since they only went in waste deep. Next time! Although someone has to take some photo evidence.
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| They are all laughing since at this point I almost fell over in my clothes. |
They clearly all enjoyed themselves judging by the screaming. After I had done some filming with Go Pro, I swapped to my camera for a few shots around the beach.
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| Sand patterns |
Back to the house, and after showers, we headed to lunch at the cafe on Barricane Beach, which does curry in the evenings. For lunch some delicious corn fritters for 3 of us, and other tasty bits for the others.
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| Lunch spot at Barricane Beach cafe, before we headed for home. |
What a fabulous few days. THANK YOU Gill for your very generous hospitality, your chauffeuring, and of course your amazing artistic inspiration. You and John have an amazing home in Devon, and now understand why you take off as often as you do. Thanks for sharing it with " The Art Group".
