One Sketch 321) The Dulais Rock

There's little else
That's quite as sad, I'd say
As a pub that's left to mould
And rot away.

This is the Dulais Rock. It stands on what used to be the main road from Neath to Resolven and all points beyond. I don't know if it was the 'new' road opening (it's well over 20 years old now) but the Dulais Rock, in which I will admit I did once have a pint in my drinking days, closed for good over 10 years ago now. I don't know how much, if any, of the building is original, but I do know that the pub dates back to the 17th century.

Here's a curious thing. I'm teetotal. I never drank a great deal anyway, not having any kind of tolerance for alcohol and not wanting to put in enough practice to develop any. But quite a few years ago I found I was drinking so little anyway, because when you get right down to it I just don't like the taste of it, that I might just as well go the whole hog. But this is the curious thing. Considering I was never much of a drinker, and don't drink at all now, I do still really rather like pubs.

This probably has something to do with the fact that I've been a serious pub quizzer for over 30 years - although to be fair I think of myself as semi retired now. And it's a sobering thought to see just how many pubs that I've played at least one quiz in have shut their doors for good over this time.

One Sketch 320) David Griessel

The moon is high
The moon is bright
There's wonder in me gizzard
The world is black
And white
And grey
And the cat in the hat's
A wizard

Every month we have the option of taking on the work of a number of featured artists for Sketching Every Day. Today was David Griessel, and artist I hadn't encountered before, but one whose work instantly struck a chord with me. This is my inferior copy of a wonderful picture of his.

One Sketch 319) (Thursday 7th Feb) Jim Morrison

Come on baby light my fire
(Me central heating's packed in)

The prompt on Sketching Every Day for this one was doors, so what else was I going to do?

One Sketch 318) (Weds 6th Feb) Bucket List Destination

Venice Venice Venice
Place not to forgetto
It's still on my bucket list
So is the cornetto.

Yes, prompt on weds was Bucket list destination, and this (the Rialto Bridge as much as Venice itself) was the first thing I could come up with. 90 mins start to finish in Art Group.

One Sketch 317) Chinese New Year

Do not worry
Never fear
But celebrate
The Lunar year.

Yes, it's Chinese New Year - and we usher in the Year of the Pig. Oink oink.

One Sketch 316) (Monday 4th Feb) Iron Bridge

Let the waters flow
In this bridge we trust
Been there since 1781
Hope it's safe from rust.

I visited Iron Bridge in 1781. It's a hell of a lot more impressive than it looks in this picture, and a great place to visit. Being the first actual iron bridge, a lot of the techniques used to fit pieces of the bridge together were actually techniques used in wooden bridge making - mainly because there were not metal bridge making techniques yet.

One Sketch 315 (Sunday 3rd February) Feed the birds

Feed the birds
Tuppence a bag
Tuppence
Tuppence
Tuppence a bag
(Then they'll crap on your funny hat.)

Feed the birds - that was the prompt from Sketching Every Day.