Monday 30 June 2008

Studland Photography Trip



PHEW! Given the fact that I gave Glastonbury a miss this year, this monday morning I was able to cycle from here in my Boscombe home to Middle Beach, Studland, near Swanage. (instead of being in a 9 hour queue to get out of Glasto like I did one year, this was much more relaxing! )
It really is beautiful over on the Purbecks. Sometimes I wonder why people prefer to go abroad when there is such nice countryside in the UK.
Anyway... I cycled down to Boscombe Pier and then around the Bay along the prom via B'mth Pier, along to Sandbanks Peninsula.
(You know, the 3rd most expensive real estate in the world!) There certainly are some impressive properties overlooking the sea and Poole harbour, old and new style. I hopped onto the Sandbanks floating bridge and was on my way through the dunes to Studland. I 've just had this urge to have a go at doing a painting based on a particular view, I've always liked. Anyway the view did live up to my memory of it. I hope I've done it justice in my naive style.
I took a selection of bracketed photos, ate my cheese bagette, had a paddle and headed home. The return cycle was a lot easier as the wind was behind me.
Heres the route and some pics. (I must do this more often! - My advice to others is get out on yer bike at every spare opportunity, weather permitting) cheers al



Wednesday 11 June 2008



Wimborne, Grammar School 1886
... .......well, who would have thought, 83 years later a young alan hayball passed his 11 plus, would be wandering through the gates of this old school with his little satchel, brown blazer and cap with pink ribbon accessories, sewn on by his mum because she left it too late to buy the official uniform (drat!), which meant young alan was without the school crest embroidered on cap and blazer (taunts of 'HAYBALL's GOT NO EAGLE!' -HAYBALL's GOT NO EAGLE!' ) and consequently the wrong cap had an exceptionaly long peak! you get the picture!.. did this affect me? yes, scarred for life! (only joking!)... ........this is all by the by as I'm just here to say I'll be back to my old stopping ground this weekend for... ...Wimborne Folk Festival, Dorset 13th to 15th June 2008 I'll be drawing Caricatures of the festival goers in front of the Allendale centre, so if you are at a loose end and not too far away then why not come along and enjoy yourself, and enjoy the lively pub atmosphere, street entertainment and music. Be good to see you! (and any of my old school chums, most welcome!)
cheers al