Punk Granny with Family and Dog

A family; Grandpa, Grandma, Baby and Dog. They sit spaced out facing the same direction. The grandmother is very tanned and has a punk granny hair cut. I am aware that she is conscious of being stared at, discretion is generally a vital part of my sketchers skill set but I am so curious about her hair style I cannot implement my usual effort at not being seen. Her hair is spiked up from the nape and dyed a faded pink. I cannot decide if this was an intentional look or the consequence of too much sun.

Tom and Terry's Snack Wagon

This is Tom and Terry's Snack Wagon on Clapham Common, one of the more uncomfortable drawing sessions. In order to get the optimum angle I am sitting precariously balanced on one of the metal rods suspended between wooden posts that define the common, it is windy and I am having hair issues. There is nowhere to put down my materials bag as my ideal view spot is surrounded by stinging nettles. I am adjacent to the very busy road and determined to paint on regardless. A voice behind me repeatedly shouts "Excuse me". I turn to see who this voice is addressing and am taken aback to see a driver, window down and a line of backed up traffic behind him. He is talking to me.

Plastic Sun-lounger

This is the essence of the garden at Miraflores. A large proportion of the average day there involves the repositioning of plastic sun-loungers, this might be in order to optimise position or to move away from garden sprinklers concealed in the grass.

Return to the Roof Garden

Returned to the Roof Garden where there is an air of calm tranquility as I watch out over Barkers of Kensington (now Wholefoods). There is the faint sound of water from the beautiful stream that meanders over the roof tops and houses the flamingoes and ducks. I am joined by a film crew just out of view who are capturing some kind of barbecue demonstration, every now and then there is a strong waft of meat and the sound of a cameraman shouting "....and relax". I am most tempted to go and see exactly what kind of barbecuing this is.

Organised tours are not for me.......

I have muscled in with a friend on an organised drawing trip to the Kensington Roof Gardens. This is an incredibly tranquil spot high above the mayhem of Kensington High Street. There are huge squashes growing alongside grapes and figs and a group of flamingoes who rise gracefully above a gang of rather aggressive ducks. When approached by the trip organiser who asks if I am joining them I almost hear myself say "no" but realise that I am sitting there with sketchbook and watercolours in hand. I have got to get over this pointless rebellion against organised tours.