Leigh on Sea and Southend

I went recently for a traditional seaside day out, starting at Leigh on Sea and walking along the sea front towards Southend. Interestingly for those of us who don't know, Leigh on Sea train station isn't next to the town, I always forget this sort of thing, that train stations can be a way out of towns. However the walk along the sea by all the boat yards was great and the nature reserve is just by the station in the opposite direction.


The sea air smelt amazing after breathing so much London air and the weather was dry and sunny later on. After the boats and more reserved air of Leigh on Sea, Southend was for the penny arcades, funfair and icecream. Shame about the pebbly beach, I couldn't stand it after 20mins and had to put my shoes back on!

A few days in St Ives

Last week saw Ruth and I in St Ives. It was a mini holiday, we had been there about 8 or 9 years ago and really loved the town. Tate St Ives was on the list of visits, and fortunately there was a display of Bernard Leach's work there, as the museum of his work was closed for refurbishment.
There was some interesting work from contemporary artists in Cornwall on display in Tate St Ives I am looking at the video work more often as I walk around with my video camera.


The Barbara Hepworth museum and Sculpture garden was again a delight to see. I bought a DVD about her and Bernard Leach, lovely to see Barbara Hepworth in her recently planted garden. The cherry tree only a quarter of the size it is today. And interesting that she states quite strongly that her sculpture is for touching, and for interacting with.
How sad that we are not allowed ( officially ) to climb, lean or touch her work now, when that experience was integral to her conception of the sculptures she made.


I took quite a lot of photos some videos of the sea and water and did some drawing while I was there. I am working on my Bird Diaries. Little books perhaps, that note one of my connecting with the birds around me.