West Dean College

I have just spent a few days at West Dean College attending a course. I have done several courses at West Dean College and it is a favourite place of mine. It is situated just north of Chichester, part of a large estate, within the South Downs. It is such a beautiful place.

The college provides many short course in arts and crafts disciplines, amongst other things. It has the most amazing gardens, including a walled kitchen garden, and  numerous glasshouses and an arboretum.

Cold frame... oh to have a garden this organised!

Large fig tree in glasshouse

Also there is a beautiful long pergola with climbing plants (including many wisteria) twisting up the supports. The wisteria is just about to flower, maybe in 2-3 weeks. We hope to get back to visit when it does.

There is also a walled garden filled with espaliered fruit trees like this pear tree

This visit was for a course to improve my photoshop skills. Previously I have done courses in photography and textile manipulation. Below is an example of work from the course, my first attempt at using photoshop in a non photographic creative way....

original composition

line drawing

'photoshopped' drawing

I'm back there in August for a textile course. I can't wait.



road to the station

Every Spring the trees lining to road to the train station burst into life...

Pink froth everywhere.

How fabulous!

beach bbq

We are having the most fabulous run of gorgeous spring weather. Hot days, clear blue skies, warm still evenings. The smell of spring blossom permeates everywhere. Such a beautiful time of year. After work we cycled down to the beach for a beach bbq...

There were loads of people on the beach just chilling enjoying the sunshine. Relaxing this way makes work recede far into the distance. We always keep our beach bbqs simple, a few sausages in a bun with fried onions, tomato and brown sauce, along with a glass of wine. Nice.

spring has sprung...

England in the springtime is just glorious. It almost makes up a winter that seems to last at least 6 months. After months of bare trees, barren ground and general grayness, suddenly leaves begin to appear and there are flowers everywhere. Here are a few pics from a park nearby, which has a beautiful walled garden and the largest magnolia tree bursting with blossom.

misty day at saltdean

The weather today is glorious, a beautiful spring day. This is a contrast to last weekend when a sea mist had rolled in. I spent a few hours at Saltdean with a friend. Saltdean always strikes me as particularly English, with its dramatic white chalk cliffs that tower over the English Channel. There is a wonderful 'undercliff path' that connects Saltdean and Brighton Marina, which we cycled and walked along many times last year. Saltdean in the mist has a soft moody presence which is very appealing.