Too hot for any kind of work today so we decided to pop into Rennes for lunch and a wander around Parc du Thabor - one of our favourite haunts in the city. There are so many shady spots within the park and there is always a quiet corner to be found despite it’s position in an urban area.
I’m not a fan of working in public areas so I work quickly and discretely in my sketchbook, making notes and taking photos for developing into more resolved work at home - or not.
There is a large lawn area, surrounded by Horse Chestnut Trees (my favourites), where people picnic and play games. Reading a display board we are informed that the site was once part of a large vineyard planted by Benedictine monks - my mind immediately jumps to my character in a computer game I am playing, (Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla) who struggles to traverse 10th century Francia on horseback due to the acres and acres of vines. I imagine even German tanks struggled to get through in the great wine growing areas.
The botanical gardens are a delight. It was installed in 1868 by landscape architect Denis Buhler. It is made up of concentric circles of planted beds with roses occupying the outer ring and a pleasant fish pond at it’s centre. I don’t do much urban sketching but I know that many of you do (from the recent Sketchbook Challenge), it’s something I shall endeavor to do more of.