Kubota eyes watch....

 9th September 2021.

Along a hidden road…a Kubota looks

The bedroom windows were open, 

Yet it was still warm, 

Permeating pattering 

Announced that the storm had arrived. 

The hot weather had broken.

 

Yet, as I set off to post calendars and packs of greetings cards, the sun was breaking through. 

Conveniently, I was near South Dalton and decided to walk George along a quiet lane, accessed by the private cattle grid ( weight limit 2 tons ) near Dalton Hall. A memory of meeting a couple, when sketching the Hall, surrounded by calm, free roaming sheep, reminded me of view to paint. The couples home, was nearby and as I walked George I noticed a field gate, which was obviously not used by tractors. Beyond the gate, a woodland formed a barrier to open fields, which in turn were enclosed in a broad band of wild flowers and importantly, would provide a vantage point to paint their cottage. 

I decided to return after the walk. 

Continuing along the lane which bisected an old woodland, I noticed taught, sharp toothed barbed wire strung up on slender poles, four  horizontal strands, at either side of the lane, I tightened the dog lead to prevent any accidental contact. As I walked  along the lane I saw that the wire had been taken down at the far side, allowing access into the wood. It was obvious that a lot of work had recently been done, the forest floor had been cleared, piles of logs were stacked neatly waiting to be taken away. Then, as I looked at the wood, I realized it contained beautiful, mature trees, a mixture of deciduous and coniferous, they were evenly spaced out to allow vehicle access. The clearing and thinning had been done very neatly. I must return in the spring to see what plants emerge on the cleared floor, maybe wood anemones, celandine, bluebells possibly garlic, it will be interesting to check.The piles of logs reminded me of something, perhaps it was the Woldgate Wood pictures by DH. I fear they will have gone before I can return to paint them. Returning to the gate I set up the pochard box, fed George, who then lay at my feet, and began to paint. I began by positioning the house followed by horizontals and tree outlines. Finishing this stage  a vehicle drove past, then stopped and a man came over. It was the friend I had met when sketching the Hall. He was amused to see I had painted his Kubota parked next to the house. We chatted briefly before he left and I stopped painting to walk George again. I returned, decided to set up again and finish the painting, adding the foreground plants and fine details. 

 

Plein air 12x10 inch, oil on canvas board.

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.... and now I am going to watch a tennis match...live from NY USA.. ( Post Script ...Emma won..wow )