St. Cross Hospital

The family walked through the water meadows to St. Cross today. It's called a hospital, but it's really the Medieval alms house that The Warden is based on. We toured the church, saw the courtyard where the"brothers" live to this day, and then spent a lot of time in the utterly gorgeous garden. I settled in to paint and did two right off, sitting underneath a gorgeous sycamore at the center of the garden.

I loved this topiary hedge. Not sure I completely captured it. Here's a photo.

I wasn't that happy with the next one. I liked the color and pattern, but it feels static. I'm going to blame the jet lag.

I decided to loosen up and do a quick sketch of the sycamore just in my journal.

Marian showed back up at this point, and we went in search of tea. We didn't find any, but one of the brothers found us, told us about living in the States in the 60's for a bit, and very kindly carries us off to your his quarters where the alms men live. Lovely high ceilinged sitting room with a tiny narrow bedroom and kitchen. Such a treat to see and very kind of him.

I went back to do a larger watercolor of the sycamore after while Marian struck off to walk more. (The parents were long gone.)

I sketched a second sycamore in my journal on the way home.

And did two watercolors of a St. Catherine's hill. I've been waiting years to paint the Engliah countryside. I'm delighted to be making a start today.

Probably more of a museum day tomorrow, so I took advantage of the easy afternoon.