Occasionally Auckland Sketchbook escapes the city to somewhere interesting — and close. This time the sketchbook got a workout in The Bay of Islands . Only 3.5 hours by car and a world away from work. The sketch above was made in down-town Paihia, it doesn't look it, but it is literally behind the main street. The view is the back of an old homestead called Williams House . I was attracted by the orchard of very old fig trees on the left that had me imagining eating juicy ripe figs. Sadly they weren't in season but it must be a fun place at harvest time. Right over the other side of the bay you will find his falling down old house on Matauwhi Bay. For a while there the water had a turquoise glow until the sun went into hiding. This is Pompallier House and Clendon Cottage in Russell sketched with my back to the sea. I may have used a little too much artistic licence in moving them close enough together to fit on my page so don't look too closely. Anyway, I have sketched Po...
Have just spent a spectacular morning at Vector Arena with our 7 year old watching even younger children (as young as 5!) blasting down an 8 metre start chute, pedaling madly over jumps and berms, and quite often each other, in a bid to take out a world championship.
Quite exciting to experience the atmosphere of an event where over 2000 competitors from 30 countries have congregated to race flat-out over a temporary racetrack modeled from over 60 truck loads of dirt inside a building usually hosting church groups and rock stars.
Thanks to Patrick Etienne from Paris who graciously took some time out to be sketched. Good luck in your qualifying race tonight!
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