Upcycling in the Norfolk Broads

Being creative is for me a very important pursuit, and it can of course be expressed in a variety of ways. My usual want is to paint onto paper, canvas, board or other flat surface. This has been a mainstay of my artistic approach for some time.

Now, arriving at Breathing Space, a bed and breakfast and women's retreat near Hickling Broad, run by Mags, with a great team of people, I would be given the chance to expand my creativity in a new direction, being inspired greatly by all the people there.

Heath Priory's re-worked sign

I was excited to arrive at Heath Priory, and to meet Mags and all the wonderful people in and around the site, over the next 2 weeks, and I would be inspired by their ideas, presence and their general attitude to create a variety of new and useful objects. Arriving in Maude may have been a slight shock though...Maude is slightly bigger than an average campervan, though small for a Motorhome...I must remember to give people more warning...though she did (just) between the trees down the drive, I think I gave people there a little surprise...where to put her!?!?

Settled in eventually, and with materials that could be found in and around the work space, I would be brought out of my comfort zone, into the world of upcycling old, and previously used objects.

My first task was to re-paint the Heath Priory sign, and bring it more to the attention of passing motorists. I was inspired to paint a dragonfly on the sign - a symbol of transformation, the dragonfly being a creature of two worlds - born in water, it will end its life in the air. Encouraged by one of Breathing Space's people, Daphne, and her ideas for bringing attention to the sign, with the use of colour, I quickly found some sequines, which would catch the light, and help attract the eye.

Heath Priory sign in its new place

As well as the energy and vitality of the people I was meeting at Breathing Space, there was of course also the air and surroundings of my home county, and the Norfolk Broads have always been a wonder to me, as I am often drawn to water in one shape or form. I find the quality of the Broads to be extremelyt relaxing in nature, and its huge skies and serene landscape helps me be at ease

Hickling Broad

Sunset near Stalham

Confidence building, I was next tasked with making a sign for the washroom, and to remind (gently of course, with the addition of a subtle smiley face, rather than a harsher pointy finger!) to keep things tidy. After scanning the area, I came across some old skirting board, which was ideal for sign making. I would be able to use my pen and ink style and with

Sign for the washroom

And in its final position

Sign up, it was swiftly onto the next, not so straight-forward of tasks. Shoes...these are of course needed, and having the external washroom, and needing to keep it clean and tidy, the removal of said shoes was a must. Now...what if it rains...

Need for a shoe shelter.

Another wander around manifested some old slats of wood, nails, and a shoe lace, and with Spencer's timely finding of a naturally shaped off-cut of wood, this inspired the roof of the shelter...with some holes drilled in both the slats and the off-cut, I soon had the makings of a roof!

One tied on wood shoe!

Tricky construction

The next stage I found more tricky...and this would see me giving it 3 attempts before I got the construction right, but eventually the frame of the shelter was created with some more found material, and attached to the roof. It only remained to give the frame a couple of coats of paint, and it was ready. The shoes could now be well and truly sheltered out of the rain.

Completed shoe shelter

It was then back to sign making (I was getting a bit more comfortable again...signs felt safer)! This time a sign for the "Flower Room" was required. More scanning around, and the odd scratch of the head, and the continuous concentration wrinkles appearing on my forehead as I wandered back and forward, coming back to scribble on paper, or listen to people chat, and have ideas, or point things out. The - voila! Candle holders...of course...in pink and green and then...an old watering can head, and an old blue button...then some ties and...a Flower Room sign

Old candle holder finding a new purpose

Flower Room sign in all its glory

And then the "French Room", which Mags had asked for me to make a touch glitzy...I had just the thing in mind for that of course, after the road sign, so...

From design to creation...

re-enter sequines...with off-cuts of wood I had been using, and a touch of paint and hey presto! I had the Eiffel Tower caught in this tribute to gay Paris!

Ready to go...

I had been finding this environment wonderfully creative, and enjoying my stay immensely. With the company and friendship of Mags, Josie, Paulina, Donna and Spencer, and everyone at Breathing Space, I had found a different outlet for my creative endeavours, and I hope to return here again soon.

Winterton-on-Sea, near Hickling Broad, Norfolk

It had been a magical first visit, and as the final snapshot showed, had filled me with joy!

Sums it up really

The War of The Rose(s)...

Continuing the journey from Ulverston, and my visit to Lancaster, I then began my meandering way across the country, eastward, and eventually over to York, being very aware of the old rivalry between the branches of the house of Plantagenat, those of Lancaster and York, and the War of the Roses.

I would encounter a battle with a rose myself, once I made it to Pocklington, York, but of the natural variety.

Before that, and with my first voluntary session under my belt, I was feeling more comfortable, and was taking things a little more gently...time to recharge my batteries, which would be very wise, once I got to my next placement.

So I parked up in a few places outside Kendal, and Kirkby Lonsdale, and got some proper sketching and painting done.

Chocolate House on Branthwaite Brow, Kendal

 

I am sure the fact that this lovely building in Kendal, on Branthwaite Brow, housed a chocolate shop had nothing to do with my choice...of course, it was soley due to the characterful chimney stacks and roofs! Of course, chocolate had no impact on my motivation...but perhaps to finish the piece, it might be a reward.

Kendal was very friendly. Whilst sitting there painting, I was approached by the local knitting shop owner and the estate agent, and offered coffee and a really friendly chat, which is a great way to spend the day in this lovely town.

The next two days would see me driving up the road to the nearby market town of Kirkby Lonsdale, South Lakeland district of Cumbria. Which has famous views of the river Lune. Often drawn to water, I also have a fondness for old architecture - always astounded by the long-lasting nature of older constructions. Those monks really knew how to build things that lasted.

Devil's Bridge - Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria

I spent a lovely afternoon sitting on the banks of the Lune, drawing the bridge, and was able to chat again to a mother and her son, who were interested in how the day's drawing was going, and I was able to talk through the technique.

The next stop, on the following day, found me coming across a really famous view. Originally painted by the master artist J.M.W. Turner, the art critic Ruskin, who may have been inspired to go there after seeing Turner's rendering, and who had defended Turner's work in his book Modern Painters in 1843. Ruskin said that an artist's principal role is "truth to nature". That sense of paying attention to nature and being true to that when interpreting within visual art is an ongoing practice. In capturing the atmospheric nature and force of the skies, Turner certainly showed his expertise, and is incredibly inspiring.

Ruskin's view, as this scene became known, and "one of the loveliest views in England" was therefore a challenge, and capturing it in my style, whilst exploring some of the colour in the view would therefore be my morning's project. The view is deemed to be perfectly balanced between the view of the river, flood plain in the midground, and forest area, as well as the background hills.

Ruskin's View

It then began to rain, quite heavily, so I managed to make my way back to the centre of Kirkby Lonsdale, and after lunch, take refuge in the central covered Market area. I glanced across at a lovely tudor building, and noticed the pigeon's roosting on the roof, and looking a little sorry for themselves. So my day's sketching could continue, even in the rain.

Pigeon's Rest

Having spent a few days in Cumbria sketching, I then began a trip to meet up with friend's Melvin and Kate, where Maude was going to have a wee little challenge of her own, as we journeyed up towards Dent, in Cumbria, (confusingly still within the Yorkshire Dales National Park after the border being moved).

Single track road to Dent, hoping not to meet another car!

This would see me spending a lovely weekend with Kate and Melvin in Dent! Gorgeous scenery, getting a wee rest, and with Kate's help, scanning in some of my sketches! We were also able to explore the spiritual path of the Quakers - and I learned a bit about the Society of Friends, and the beginnings of the movement with George Fox, having had a vision in Lancashire, and converting the Seekers that he met from that point. A visit to Briggflatts, near Sedburgh also gave me time to look at the Quaker Meeting House, and soak up some of the peaceful atmosphere, heavy in the air in that beautiful place.

From here though, I needed to move on to my next placement, in the rival house of York, and the forthcoming battle with the rose. Pocklington, a village just a few miles east of York, holds another Buddhist retreat, and this time my energies would be channelled both into gardening and general maintenance, and I would discover physical stamina than I thought I had!

The start of the excavation

Gardening became the first of the tasks - with weeding and water carrying taking over most of the first day, before being asked to fiercely prune and dig out a rose that was growing too wildly and not flowering. I innocently and keenly said yes, until I saw the eight foot bush that needed to go. Honestly, the photo does not do this plant justice!

Success - defeated rose

The task of excavating it would see me occupied for most of the afternoon and the morning of the next day. Eventually the rose gave way to the inevitable, and after severing the old roots, I was able to pull it free. This must have given me a taste for digging, as I found myself volunteering to help fix an ill flowing water source to one of the cottages.

My next task saw me confronted by my first pick-axe

Enter one pick-axe and one spade. A two-man job, Mohamed and I then would take it in turns to hack away at the hard ground of the driveway to the cottage, and then dig out the channel. Two days of this, and my arms were beginning to feel as battered and bruised as I imagined the road did. My patience was really tested here, as the water pipe proved to be illusive - looking every now and again for the small blue tube that would be the water pipe revealed! However, we would at first find the sewer and then the electric supply!?! (narrowly missed I might add). Sweat flowing, and at times unable to pick up the pick-axe, let alone swing it, at last the water pipe was found, only to realise that it was not the source of the problem! More patience needed...draw deep to find more energy. Finally, the t-point (I was becoming more familiar with this plumbing language) was found close to the inlet point by the road...and fixing this meant that the problem was solved...so cue another learning phase of how to replace a faulty flow correction valve, and replace with a new junction! And then...my task seemed set...fill in the holes again! Cue...yes, more digging.

I really enjoyed my dinner that night! And my sleep!

Later on that week, my next challenge would be to face my fear of heights...up ladders. Not good with that, so a very nervous David would spend a day going up and down a few, with the mantra...this will soon be over, this will soon be over.

Old, trained apple trees had previously been growing up a heated wall. Apparently steam used to be pumped into a two-layer wall, with a cavity for the purpose of passing the steam through and so providing both protection and heat to the apple trees. At some point, the wall had been demolished, and the trees had suffered. But when we saw them, they looked incredibly healthy, and needed a trim.

Head for heights?

Who's got hold of the ladder!

After all the weeding, trimming, clearage and pruning, it only remained to deal with all the green waste, as well as some rubbish being accumulated at the house. There is definitely something satisfying, primal and hugely calming, as well as just plain fun in lighting a gigantic fire!

A relaxing end to the day beside the fire

At the end of the last day here, I was able to stand back and relax with the two Italian Stallions I'd worked with during my stay. Apparently this sort of bonfire was forbidden in Italy - too much risk of it spreading in the heat, so this was a new experience for them. For me it was pleasant again to feel the warm fire, and watch the hypnotic flicker of the flame, and finally to watch the last of the defeated rose burn away.

Another nice mess you've gotten me into...

Time can pass really quickly, and now that I have finished my 3 week voluntary position at the Manjushri Buddhist Meditation Centre, I really have a sense of that.

Painted Buddhist figure

 It was all consuming. A new role, a new team, and a completely different way of working. Add to that a fabulous summer festival at the Centre, where 4000 people decend to take part in the teachings, and well...a tad overwhelmed at times would put my psych in a nutshell. Not surprising, but there were a few wobbly, "What have I done?" moments.

Art studio at Manjushri Meditation Centre, Ulverston

These 3 weeks would also see me staying in a one-man tent. A one man tent, as long as you were less than five and a half foot I might add! I thought at first how getting a one-man tent would be ideal because of the low weight...not wanting Maude to carry too much. However, I do get a sense that my judgement in such things is sometimes lacking, and having made a sure-fire decision, realise I might not have thought this all the way through.

Nervous first night in the wee tent!

Although I managed to sleep for 3 weeks in this coffin sized tent, I would not really recommend it. Especially when it rained all day and night!

I persevered however, and very proud that I did not slip secretly back to the motorhome when things got rough. Was extremely tempted though!

The centre is based just outside Ulverston, famous for being the birthplace of Stan Laurel, of Laurel and Hardy fame. I just had to spend a session sitting and sketching them both, from the statue near the museum in Stan's honour.

Laurel and Hardy, Ulverston

Keith during his day visit to Ulvertson!

The work at the centre meant I was collaborating to create Buddhist symbols, for the London-based centre, and I would slowly begin to undertand the process involved, as well as the symbolic meaning, and belief around these objects.Collaboration is also something that presents constant challenges for me. Team work takes patience, understanding, and time to develop.

Working on the Dharma Wheel

Made of Polyurathane  (PU), our main task was to sand them...and sand them...and sand them. The fill in any imperfections and air bubbles, and...sand them again. Sanding would be a theme for me throughout my stay. I now realise I can really sand! The filling was done with car body filler, and I could now also try my hand at car repairs if the need arose.

Once the sanding was done to our boss's satisfaction (studio manager Simone, and the art studio lead Rabchog) then it would be off for painting...in a yellow colour - primer, before gold paint was applied. Before we get to the gold though, yes you guessed it...more sanding and filling of any smaller imperfections revealed by the priming stage.

Female deer, manifestation of emptiness

During this whole process though I began to see the benefit of both the teachings of Buddhism, and the technique itself, both calming the mind, if agitated, as well as clearing any negative thoughts, by focusing soley on the work and the object.

Final coat of gold paint, and ready for the Temple in London

Buddhist belief tells us that the longer a piece lasts, the more people can see it and so receive blessings from the object, and the more merit the person who worked on the piece receives. So this gave me immediate motivation to do the best job I could.

After listening to my work colleague Paul explain this, it really helped me to slow down, gain patience and work more deliberately...overcoming my usual "hurry-up, we have a deadline" driver that wanted to get the job done and off as soon as possible (a quantity rather than quality angle).

I was also able to listen to my colleagues a great deal during the work, as well as reflect and contemplate difficulties I might have, and challenges I might meet, but also those faced by others, and the joyous and positive way they meet those challenges. It enabled me to stop reacting to things, and because my mind was focused and more calm, I was able to reflect and respond instead...or not respond at all, but to work out how I could resolve my approach the next time. I also definitely worked on being grateful for the things I have experienced, and how lucky I am.

Lots of laughter and discussion with my friend and colleague, Lisette.

The people at the centre and art studio have therefore given me the chance to grow, for which I will always be grateful. From Brazil, France, the Netherlands, Spain, England, Wales, Canada, Sri Lanka and Iceland, to name a few, and they presented many different cultures, ways, languages, language barriers and ideas, both complementary and challenging. My overwhelming impression has been one of a great many people, from all over the globe, and all working and existing in peace and harmony. They have huge amounts of kindness and care.

There is much to learn there...enough for several life times. Only 3 weeks, and this barely sands down the surface of my mind.

I ended the time by taking a trip over to Lancaster to reflect and digest, and also to paint some more, whilst being alone (oh and to make sure I didn't miss Star Trek Beyond!). I hope to be able to take the things I have learned and use them in the wider world and with myself. My views and perspectives have been challanged, and in some small way, I hope widened. We live in such a beautiful world, can we work together to enhance it?

Ashton Memorial, Lancaster, from Lancaster Priory and Castle

Niggles...these are just niggles

Ok, so challenges come, and when they do...well, we overcome them...at some point...but well, some of these I did not even consider, and come from a variety of sources.

Lots of deep breathing and remembering that firstly, I can overcome these challenges, and secondly, people are very willing to help. Especially when they see someone else with a motorhome.

Maude, after picking her up in Perth and successfully driving down to Edinburgh, decided to develop a few teething problems. Common I was informed. In fact, 1 in every 4 motorhomes has them. Even brand new ones. Maude, of course, is 13 years old, so not a spring chicken, and so I was expecting some things - a few character traits!

Firstly, on the drive down, the watercap must not have been securely locked, so the vibration may have meant it slowly turned itself around and flew off...let's hope no one was hit be it on the M9! Got that solved, only to encounter the early stages of having an old battery. Thought at first I was flooding the cab engine on starting, but it was, it turned out just low power. By the time I got to the Lake District, and Dovedale Valley, I awoke in the morning to find she would be as flat as a camping-stove pancake!

View towards Dove Crag, Hart Crag and Fairfield Peak

I awoke the morning of my first sleep-over in Maude fully rested and able to look at one of my first views...the cracking Dovedale Valley!

My bedroom window, on my first morning at Sykeside, Dovedale Valley

First Breakfast! Omelette on the stove..

Having begun to explore filling the water tank, switching the gas on, cooking breakfast, and just generally getting used to my new home I did some painting (I will post some examples soon) and was ready for the next step. Turn on the engine...nothing! Cue help from fellow campers. They were not surprised, as this was quite a common thing apparently. The security chap in Sykeside Camping site, who was quite bald, laughingly said he was surprised by my apparent calmness, as he felt he would be tearing his hair out had he any left! However, for some reason I felt quite calm (having had my panic attack earlier after temporarily losing my keys!) Now was the time to take people's advice and go with the flow of working out Maude's niggles, and trusting in the help of strangers! Very important.

Several jump-starts later, during the final treck down and locating a suitable garage, where the battery would be replaced, the niggle was nicely ironed out, and I was ready for my first stint at volunteering at the Manjushri Kadampa Buddhist Meditation Centre, during its Summer Festival. This would become a challenging step for me, as I began to experience collaborative working on art objects in their studio. More on that in later posts, but suffice to say that I was immediately met by the most warm-hearted and friendly people I have ever met, including Charlie and Karen, who would become my friends during my stay here over the next 3 weeks.
 

Karen and Charlie, on one of our evening strolls along the beach

Karen and Charlie are great people who I am incredibly grateful to have met during this first significant step on the journey, and who have increased my faith and trust in people in our world, and this would help me to  open myself to more people later on.

Sunset along Morecombe Bay near Bardsea Cumbria

What we leave behind

This is written, remembering the events of the last evening in the house I lived in for nearly 11 years. The last couple of months have been filled with planning, organisation, downsizing and endless trips to charity shops and the recycling centres. How much can one person accumulate in just a few years? Too much of course!

Letting go of stuff is freeing though, and its something I have really begun to enjoy. The emotional attachment to some of the objects are surprisingly resilient though. And the countless tasks of arrangement, re-organisation, notification, switching off, diverting...they keep you distracted to what really is happening.

A building sense of loss.

Home no longer, and always home

Tonight, with a wee, and rare toast with whisky, I said goodbye to both the house, and to a few treasured objects of quite intense sentimental value. Each with a tight hold over me, and drenched in the affection and love I had for the people who had given them to me.

I put them in a box, and stared at them for some time. Sat down, took them out again, then replaced them, and then walked away again, with heightened agitation. And then, with little ceremony, and with a slightly distracted, and unconscious and autopilot style of action, I took a trowel out of the shed, and quickly, buried them in the garden.

The wave of emotion that swept across me then was a bit unexpected. Grief for the loss of people in my life who were attached to these objects, as well as a feeling of loss for others around me, who I was leaving. And no, it wasn't the whisky! Though that action did make me stop. It made me set down all the tasks, the things in my mind, filling up all my spare memory, thoughts and feelings, and I sat in the armchair in the shed and wept. It made me set these things down more permanently, though however impermanently.

A place for just being

I toasted my late father then, who had died the same year I bought the house. It all became mixed together at once, with the knot pulled tight. I looked at the hedges that my mother and I had cut after visiting Ireland that first year after dad died, that had strangely made us both feel much better after a difficult journey. And to enjoy the cup of tea all the more afterwards. I looked at the kitchen window at the improvements I had orchestrated. I thought about the different parties held there with friends and family, and a particular sweetheart who had spent many a day there with me. I thought about the laughs and the arguments. I looked at the wall that had forever worried me until I got it repaired (I can think about doing a task for so long without actually doing it...I sometimes just stop looking at it).

Before it got too much of course, the feelings thankfully dissipated. A deep breath, and a sigh, and then, ever practical, a thought that I should really have my dinner. My last in this house. My home. No longer. Now it's on to new things, with new stuff, and new boxes to put things in. Just smaller boxes.

Small precious treasures and memories in the box from my friend Anita, and special necessities from Mhairi and Megan, the two lovely girls down the road, and both of whom I will miss.

Capturing memories and the box of necessities

With help and kindness from Anita and Graham, I have a place to lay my head whilst I wait for Maude to get herself ready (Maude really does take time to make her appearance - her perogative I suppose, but really)!

Anita Sauvage, my art coach, has over the years helped this artist to grow and take risks with her superb coaching skills, and I am always in her debt. We are who we are because of the people we know, and many people have helped me over the years. I truly believe that I would not be where I am now, and making this journey at all if it wasn't for the coaching skills of Anita.

My friend and coach, Anita Sauvage

In the journey of discovering new horizons, meeting new people, and expanding my opportunities, I also sense that home is not just a physical place, but is always with us, no matter where we go. That continued returning home.

Meeting Maude

Well, the house sold last Tuesday. It took a little longer than I had first thought, but not that long that all my patience ran out - needed to keep focussed and head towards the assumed leaving date and so that meant where to find my mobile home...nomadic life beckons.

Maude Cyndey McLouis in her finery

So I went looking both online and in the real world and saw quite a few. 2 berths, 4 berths and 6 berths, older, newer, and ended up in Perth, the apparent mecca when it comes to motorhomes in Scotland. After a very timely visit from my friend Steven (who has had experience of caravans and motorhomes) who wisely warned me of the rusting nature of Ford Transits and Mercedes, I felt more fore-armed!

Private sales for something this big seemed too big a risk (not big enough for a solicitor, but big enough to warrant a dealer). They were very busy, and motorhomes were moving quick, which was a good sign. My friend Tammy had agreed to chum me, and I hoped I had not asked her to come along on a fool's errand if the ones I had been looking for were already gone.

I was told that although they may still appear as live on the website, if they had been sold, they are not taken down until people drive them away. So I could have been looking at the past chances. Lesson learned, phone through and don't rely on email!

I took a breath at that point and reminded myself I had a back-up plan of another dealer in the area if  I had needed it.

However, we saw a couple of vehicles, one that seemed very claustrophobic - an autosleeper, which I am now beginning to smugly know - given my 2 days exhaustive research on the matter making me 'officially in the know', is more of a day camper. The other was better, but only a 2 berth so would have to put the bed out and back each time and again not alot of space to work if I wanted to.

Then, after asking one of the very helpful staff at ScotMotorhomes, we were guided to the very back of the lot. Tucked away and hidden a bit from sight, there was the Fiat Ducato that I had seen online during my searching, and the one that I had wanted to find. Larger inside than the feel of some others I had seen, I got that immediate positive feeling. All the seating and the upholstery looked taken care of. Only 52,000 on the clock.She seemed to have been waiting for me. Nice outer condition, fridge freezer, hob and grill, heating (which can come off the engine to heat up the storage when driving, have to remember to switch it on before driving...that'll probably catch me out:-) and best of all, a bed above the cabin that was very roomy - with a window and view! Plus spare double in the main area for guests! Tammy had to reign me back in a bit before I gave all my money away and helped me negotiate the price down. Invaluable, as I am a man still practicing the art of haggling. Thanks Tammy!

However, I hope you agree that Maude Cydney McLouis is fabulous, and I hope to aim for a nice 1950's design look for her as I go on...enamelled cups and plates...the lot. Soon, I shall go and pick her up. Until then, she'll be safe in her bay, and I shall begin thinking of which throws I shall take for the seats!

Ready to fly?!

Ok folks, this month, May in 2016, marks a new direction and a few very large leaps into the unknown.

It is all about leaps of faith sometimes, leaping when you are not too sure about the direction that you are going. Facing the fear that comes with that means facing some fierce demons. And then letting them talk to you instead of running away in terror...they often have some very useful things for you to listen to, if you can let them up out of the cellar that you locked them in years ago!

So like this sparrow, am I ready to fly to pastures new?

Am I ready to jump?

At the age of 46, I thought it was high time I started on the path to a new venture. I wanted a big change, and well, I did that. I ended my job with an organisation I had worked for steadily and successfully for 15 years as I crafted out a career of graphic design development. And then, to help finance this big new move, I have sold my house (hopefully today I will find out if the process has been agreed and signed).

I shall then go travelling, experiencing new things and generally make it up as I go along for a bit. Some things I have in mind to do, and have talked about, but, hey, only time will tell which opportunities I pick up.

However, there are some words that are right in the front of my consciousness at the moment. The words of Martin Luther King Jr.:

"Take the first step in faith. You don't have to see the whole staircase, Just take the first step."

I shall be posting here to keep a journal for myself and keep others updated too, if you are interested in following my exploits, over the coming months. Come join me on occasion. This may be a place to celebrate, commiserate but hopefully experience some of what lies for me down the road...