Hopton Titterhill and Croft Castle

I have been up to my favourite part of world this past weekend. Saturday was spent around Hopton Titterhill in South Shropshire. I had a very enjoyable walk from the main cark round the hill and down the eastern side to the restored castle keep at Hopton Castle where I sheltered from a heavy rain shower. I then continued past the church and along the road towards black hill, up towards Obley then back to the car. It wasn't too cold and the sun was almost warm when it was out, but at one stage I did have to shelter in an old barn from a torrential downpour and almost gale force winds. A day of contrasts. Wildlife notes: as I drove up through the village in the early hours of the morning I came across a hedgehog wandering around; found a dead goldcrest which actually looked so small and almost cute (not idea why it had died); and came across a couple of the largest wood ants nests I have seen for many years - one must have been almost 4-5 ft high - very rarely have I seen any in this part of the Welsh border.

Sunday was a gorgeous sunny day for the most part and again it wasn't that cold. The above picture was drawn in the walled garden at Croft Castle (NT): weeping willow, snowdrops, hellebore and honesty. 

Sketching at Wrest Park

Spent the day at Wrest Park, Beds, sketching visitors to a wedding exhibition. It was a very pleasant way to pass a very wet and windy January day. Here are some of my scribbles.

Sketching people

A few quick sketches made in a local Sainsbury's cafe today. Had the day off work for my birthday and so went out on my bike and stopped off for a couple of hours in a local superstore to do some drawing. A great place to go as it was full of people at lunchtime. These are the sketches I did on the iPad but I did others in my sketchbook.

Three trees

A scribble inspired by something I saw on the web today.

Frosty Morning

Went for a walk this morning in the woods near Lilley. It was bright and sunny with a decent frost on the ground. These brambles leaves looked stunning in the sunlight with translucent reds, greens and purples against the backdrop of the sun streaming down though the trees.

Brent Tor

Went on a good bike ride around Tavistock and Mary Tavy on the west side of Dartmoor a week ago. This country lane high high above the surrounding valleys was edged with a typical Devon stone wall and a long row of silver birch trees. In the distance the tall peak of Brent Tor and it's summit church could be seen. This picture was worked on the iPad from a photo as I didn't have the time to sketch in real life. I had been dodging showers all day but the mid afternoon sunshine made for a stunning landscape with wonderful  colours and views. 

Fox

A fox amongst some trees. Inspired by something I'm doing at work.