A chilly few days with my sketch book

When I was offered the opportunity to take a last minute trip down to Cornwall I jumped at the chance. No worries about the weather, after all there is really no such thing as bad weather it is just a matter of the right clothing. So, equipped with my silk long johns and wooly vest I ventured forth and enjoyed working in my sketch book whilst breathing in the salty air and blowing the cobwebs away.

Thanks to the National Trust who provided this shelter high above Polruan. We stopped here during a super walk which took in two Ferry journeys across to Fowey and back. Sharing the smaller of the two with the postman on his rounds (More inspiration) I called in to say hello at the 'Toe In The Water Gallery' who sell my prints but unfortunately they were closed so I had to make do with a take away hot chocolate - complete with Marshmallows and cream! Well - it would have been rude not to!

Next day we walked the cliff path from Looe to Polperro. What a treat. Visiting this little harbour in the winter when all of the shops are closed and the locals are just getting on with their own business is lovely. Local fishermen were doing repairs on their little boats and cottages snuggled together for warmth, their chimneys puffing away contentedly. We got the bus back to our starting point, Martha loved it.

People often ask me where I got the idea of tipsy houses from, well they exist all around the coast but especially around the Cornish fishing villages and they just ask to be drawn. All I do is perhaps exaggerate them slightly. Take a look at the real thing -

This creek side cottage reminds me when my friend and I played hairdressers when we were seven and I cut her fringe for her. I thought I had done a good job, her mum though otherwise.

Peeping round the corner with a lovely twist to the gable end.

I may be small but I make up for it with my chimney!

Sometimes rows of cottages remind me of school class photographs, rows of children of all sorts of shapes and sizes and each one with their own character.

On to Padstow the next day.

We left our accommodation in thick snow this morning but there was no sign of snow here, in fact in sheltered spots when the sun came out it was warm enough to take my hat off! A favourite walk of ours is up to the war memorial and onwards to Harbour Cove. The views of the Camel estuary are stunning. The weather closed in this afternoon so we set off back towards the south coast just 50 minutes away. That's what I love about Cornwall, you can get to the sea so easily from wherever you are. The North Coast is particularly invigorating on windy winter days with huge waves crashing around Trevose Head. I have made lots of sketches today for a new series of seascapes called 'The Lure Of The Sea'. They will be added to my moods series when they are complete.

The landscape around where we are staying is fascinating. We don't know this area very well so decided to walk and discover, besides I had run out of chocolate and knew there was a little village shop about 3 miles away. The hills are amazing and just like dumplings rising up, round and soft atop of a warming winter stew.

The wooded valleys are hidden gems with streams and green lanes. The tall banks topped with moss are laden with snowdrops, I have never admired snowdrops from underneath before. I have to come back here later in the year to see the colours which must abound and the dappled light which would be reflected in the streams.

We had to leave a day earlier than expected as heavy snow was forecast for the midlands. As it was we got through just before it closed another road. Now we are back and I can't wait to get painting. I have just had a huge delivery of new canvases and paint so the heater is on in the studio, my favourite CDs are lined up and I am itching to get started. watch this space!