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...
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| This is the evening view across Lake Verkala while tourist boats cruise back to shore and fishermen set their nets. |
I've been dreaming of diving into a refreshing swimming pool ever since I arrived to 45C days in Kerala but this pool isn’t remotely refreshing (we’d probably call this a heated hot pool at home). It's still relaxing however so my mind drifts to some of the moments from a spectacular few weeks in Kerala.
Thats 2 weeks of sketching historic Fort Kochi on the Arabian Sea to caparisoned (love that term!) elephants in Thrissur at the largest festival in Asia, to sub-alpine tea plantations in Munnar, and to this place, Kumarakom the so-called 'Venice of the East'.
Some highlights...
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