French trip May 2026. lost count of days!

 I tried to number the days on my posts...but I've lost count! One weekend to go then sadly I have to leave on Monday.

More wandering today, but beginning to focus on shapes and ideas that I can start using. 

I came back a little earlier because the weather was turning again...came through a heavy slushy shower in the last 500 metres before my bus stop...then walked home in sunshine! The rain/hail looked like curtains falling from the clouds, but it turned to a fine but chilly evening....eventually!

This is a series of cartoon posters around on empty shops

porcelain again

I had to resist....my bag is full...

French Trip May 2026. Day 11. Drawings and weather

 Today's weather forecast is chilly, rain of varying amounts. and risk of thunder...right through until midnight.

So unless it perks up enough for a short walk I'll be here indoors all day!!

I'm looking at yesterday's drawings...I changed tactics, going for the focus and working out. Trying to focus more on detail as the whole is so overwhelming!

Getting there...and one pen ran out...and then so did my concentration!! 

For improving drawing...and French speaking...perhaps staying somewhere different might help..and staying longer.

But...being on the edge of the city, being rural but still within good transport has been good. No noisy streets and better sleep!

 Being part of the artists' coop also means that being away for more than two weeks during the time that the gallery is open and manned on a rota wouldn't be a good idea.

French Trip May 2026 Day. 10 alleys

 With the cooler start to the day I waited for it to warm up a little before heading off.

Day in the centre started at the Gare des Bénédictins...coffee and listening to the piano being played. Walk to the centre then, and drop into the Tourist information centre for free reliable WiFi!! I think they are getting used to me! Then just wandering around the centre, and finding quiet spots to do some drawing. 

I think that the problem so far has been seeing the while picture and getting overwhelmed with all the detail!! So I'm working a way around that. Also trying to do too much without a break..as then the Eye-Hand-Brain coordination gets a bit wobbly. 

French Trip May 2026 Day 9 Photos

 

broom...planta genista, the Plantagenet emblem

sturdy willow cuttings!!

up down, up down...

a derelict kaolin mill . a sad sight

tree guard made from bamboo

old tenements

and new

sun lounger

an old derelict factory used for graffiti practice...and eventually it can develop into wall art

this gives you an idea of how long this has been here .Initially started between 1956 and 1961 then enlarged in 1990

cork oak...flowers and leaves above and tree below

areas give forest and meadow plantings as well, in places bringing on rare plants for seed

typical..as I shot this beautiful orange and black tortoiseshell like butterfly....

back in the city..examples of fitting new into rows of old . Many of the old buildings are six ir deven storeys high, so new ones like that are nothing new