- Ca'n Rom, Fornalutx, Mallorca

This urban sketch is from our visit to Mallorca last May/June. It's called Ca'n Rom which is in Fornalutx - the most beautiful village in Mallorca. It's at the top of the steps above the Placa d'Espanya with the most stunning views over the Soller Valley. Google "Ca'n Rom, Fornalutx" if you would like to see the amazing interiors. Just had to draw and paint the house from this dramatic angle! More from Mallorca (soon).

- the interior of Hotel Es Port, Puerto Soller, Mallorca

Another from our holiday in Puerto Soller, Mallorca last May/June. Starting with an urban sketch in pencil from the interior of the Hotel Es Port. I sat in the bar looking at the olive presses which have now been beautifully restored and are part of the sitting area. I developed that pencil sketch (on the left) to a finished painting of the interior - it tested my skill!

- EsPort, Puerto Soller, Mallorca

This is an urban sketch of Es Port in Puerto Soller, Mallorca from our visit there last May. It's now an Hotel but it's been the centre of the Montis Family Estate for centuries. When I was sitting in front of the building sketching, 3 young people gathered round, followed by their grandfather. He turned out to be a consultant solicitor from London and he asked if I didn't mind that he sat down and had a chat. 90 minutes later we had to break up! He was such an interesting person, we talked about lots of things including "copyright"! I had to go back the next day to finish painting! We were on holiday so it was all part of our enjoyment. Michel, the President of the "Soller French Society" has now got a digital copy of this image to use in his talks and information promoting the links between France and Mallorca - Soller and the traditional export of oranges in particular - so we're all happy! Michel introduced us to the latest Head of the Montis family and showed us around the old, refurbished parts of the House/Hotel - in particular the old olive pressing facilities and storage which I shall post images of (soon).

- Ca'n Rom, Fornalutx, Mallorca

This urban sketch is from our visit to Mallorca last May/June. It's called Ca'n Rom which is in Fornalutx - the most beautiful village in Mallorca. It's at the top of the steps above the Placa d'Espanya with the most stunning views over the Soller Valley. Google "Ca'n Rom, Fornalutx" if you would like to see the amazing interiors. Just had to draw and paint the house from this dramatic angle! More from Mallorca (soon).

- boiler not firing up?

Tired of waiting 13 hours for British Gas to return your call when it was -9degC overnight and -6degC all day and trying everything to stop your water pipes freezing and bursting? I did this at 9 o'clock tonight and it worked! Lovely, lovely warmth. It was a frozen condensate pipe problem. We're at 1000 feet above Sheffield y'know. Good luck to all you freezing down there. Hope there's lots of gas during this cold spell!

CondensateProb.JPG

- sketching at Amalfi, Italy

Another sketch on our journey with Riviera Travel in Italy. Amalfi Cathedral from a café in the Piazza Duomo. Had to sample the desserts - delicissimo! What a bus trip along the Amalfi coast followed by the view from the top of the hills at Ravello and back via the plain below Vesuvius. Trip of a lifetime.

- el tren arriving at Soller, Mallorca

El Tren from Palma arriving at Soller, Mallorca. Did this one when staying at Puerto Soller last May. Been visiting the Port most years since the end of last century and is the latest of dozens of my sketches of the area.

- Whitby Abbey North Yorkshire

Spent last weekend in Whitby. Walked east along the Cleveland Way cliff path to the Whitby Fog Signal building Had some time on my own when I returned so I sketched the Abbey from alongside at the same altitude. I usually draw/paint it from near sea level showing it overlooking the harbour above the picturesque jumble of cottages tumbling down the hillside.