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...
My preview copy has arrived! An inspirational children's book about the life of Bruce McLaren.
A little known fact about Bruce was that he spent two years at Takapuna's Wilson home for crippled children with his legs strapped to a bed cart!
Initial inspiration for the book came from my uncle, Keith Madgwick, who despite his own severe difficulties due to polio fulfilled his dream to race in motorsport driving Mini Coopers in events like the Wills 6 hour endurance races at Pukekohe Park Raceway, numerous street races and hill climbs and went on to be a key figure in running the original Baypark Raceway. Keith would often try to fill me in on what Bruce, Denny and Chris got up to in the 60's.
Initial inspiration for the book came from my uncle, Keith Madgwick, who despite his own severe difficulties due to polio fulfilled his dream to race in motorsport driving Mini Coopers in events like the Wills 6 hour endurance races at Pukekohe Park Raceway, numerous street races and hill climbs and went on to be a key figure in running the original Baypark Raceway. Keith would often try to fill me in on what Bruce, Denny and Chris got up to in the 60's.
Two years in the planning it's been a bit of a mission but it will soon be on the shelves. Very nice to hold it in my hands at last. A big thank you to Dreydon, publisher (and author!) at Inspired Kids for making it happen and Jan McLaren at the Bruce McLaren Trust for her and David's help, guidance and the use of the museum resources.
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