Leaf Tornado

Posted on 15/12/2013 by bighair63

Just a little sketch I did recently after I found myself in the middle of a leaf tornado. It happened so suddenly that I was unable to get my camera out to capture it. Instead I drew it – one of those unadulterated joyous moments that make you want to laugh out loud and spin around like Julie Andrews in the Alps.

On a windy day, I love to watch piles of colourful leaves come alive and race each other down the road. Tumbling, twisting, turning, clacking and tapping on the tarmac then taking off and dancing high into the air. Since my tornado moment, few leaves remain – they are either a soggy, slippy mulch or they’ve been hoovered up by the city council’s cleaning trucks. I shall miss them.

Snow Days

Posted on 25/01/2013 by bighair63

This cartoon was inspired by my recent trip to Canada, but seems equally appropriate for the UK at the moment. I’m certainly unused to extreme cold weather and although it was a relatively balmy -14 degrees Celcius in Canada, I suffered from chill blains on my fingers and frost nip on my legs.

Every morning we discussed the temperature over breakfast then dressed accordingly. The mere act of getting dressed for a day out in Canada is a process in itself, and there is something to be said for an organised approach. It wasn’t until the third or fourth day of the holiday that I realised you need to have all your essentials ready first. Then and only then should you get on with the business of donning your outdoor gear. Even when I’d mastered that element, it was another day or so before I learnt to avoid expiration by putting my had, scarf and coat on last. Yes, I’m slow!

Splashing out

Posted on 18/12/2012 by bighair63

This scenario has happened to me on at least four occasions in the past two weeks. I’m beginning to feel paranoid that all drivers are conspiring against me.

40 days & 40 nights

Posted on 06/07/2012 by bighair63

This was the BBC weather news this morning:

“Experts are warning of floods in many parts of the UK, with a month’s rain due to fall in 24 hours…97 flood alerts – which warn people to be prepared for possible flooding – are in place…The Met Office has issued an amber warning urging people to “be prepared” while the Environment Agency warns flooding could be the worst of the year so far with transport links and homes likely to be “severely affected…”

Looking out the window, there is no doubt we are in for a very, very wet weekend – and beyond. It has rained almost constantly for the last 3 weeks and the nation is beginning to wonder whether we’ll ever see the sun again. We sigh and stoically go about our business, discussing…er..complaining about the monsoonal conditions at great lengths whenever the opportunity arises. We tune into the weather forecast every day hoping for news that there will be a break in the deluge.

I have decided to be proactive, our wet weather gear has been bolstered with new waterproof trousers and sturdy umbrellas. I may consider buying a boat or perhaps invest in some scuba equipment.