(Above) Some of the boats we use to take out our “special sailors”
(Two below) We call it the nursery due to the number of swan, geese and duck families in residence – looking for a free breakfast.
(Next 3 views of one of the locks on the Grand Union Canal)
Gate to the bird sanctuary ( a much wilder area!)
Two smaller beauties I noticed. (The thistles in the bird sanctuary were like a forest higher than my head!)
Yesterday I took a sunny appreciation canal trip down the nearby Grand Union Canal with other sailing volunteers.
(One of our crazy volunteers – there are so many great folks involved!)
Passing through some of the 18th century locks (the wood etc. has of course been renewed over the years).
This canal was a means of transporting goods during the industrial revolution till later replaced as railways took over. It’s now more of a recreational heaven and home to many travelers and retired folks that wend the waterways enjoying the natural lifestyle.
I often walk or cycle this route enjoying the scenery and exchanging a few words here and there with some of the many colorful characters that populate it (England is well known for its eccentric characters lol!)
If you read carefully you’ll know that my original major was fine art sculpture (top marks anyone that got that one LOL!)
While sculpture tends to be a little hard to accommodate I still like to paint and sketch from time to time. Trees and plants being by far my favourite subjects.
The pictures above and below are the first two of a series I’m working on (very slowly as I tend to write a lot more often) for my apartment.
The two sketches I did in China and happened to have on computer. I constantly gave my work away due to my travels and most of my friends in China have something from me as a remembrance.
I still enjoy painting for recreation and am always trying to capture the beauty and primeval force of nature. Though never quite achieving what I want to communicate I find it relaxing and satisfying.
Song Bird Songs 