Sai Kung Town Waterfront on a Rainy Day 下雨天的西貢海傍

Every weekend, Sai Kung waterfront would be full of tourists. However, on a weekday, especially on a rainy one, the waterfront could be completely void of people.

假日的西貢海傍總是迫滿遊人！換上平日，特別是下著雨的平日，西貢海傍卻是一片寧靜。

Under the Highway 東區走廊與獅子山

I first walked along King's Road, then turned into the side streets and finally came to the Island East Corridor Expressway, a highway built over the water of Victoria Harbour, along the east shore of Hong Kong Island.  Under the influence of tropical storm Haima, it was a very windy and overcast day.  Still, there were people hanging out here under the highway, some fishing, some just chilling out in the fresh wind.  Across the harbour in the middle is Lion Rock, a beloved hill that represents the virtues of Hong Kong, resilience, optimism and the love of the rule of law. 

起初沿著英皇道走，後走進橫街，見到東區走廊就停下來。一號戒備訊號仍然生效，「海馬」下的維港風力強勁，烏雲密佈，但毫不阻人們到此釣魚和乘涼。維港對岸的獅子山，象徵能耐、樂觀同法治，正默默守望每一個香港人。

Tsim Sha Tsui Clock Tower Now and Then 尖沙咀鐘樓古與今

Time to compare two pieces of work here.  First, a quick sketch I did today at a friend's office on the 15th floor of Star House, Tsim Sha Tsui.  The clock tower together with its railway terminus was completed in 1916.  Sadly, the whole terminus was demolished in 1977 and only the clock tower was preserved. Below is a watercolour painting I did based on a black and white photo taken around the sixties, should also be taken on one of the top floors of Star House as Star House was built in 1963, 14 years before the railway station was demolished.  The station was of Edwardian Baroque style and was designed by British architect Brigadier General Arthur Benison Hubback (1871-1948), who also designed a number of public buildings in Malaysia.

第一張作品是今日在星光行十五樓朋友寫子樓內畫的。鐘樓連同尖沙嘴火車站大樓建於1916年。可惜到了1977年火車站就拆了，只有鐘樓保留下來。下面的水彩作品就根據一張攝於六十年代的黑白照畫的。星光行建於1963年, 可以肯定照片都是從星光行高處拍攝的。 整個尖沙嘴火車站是愛得華建築風格而建築師是英人Brigadier General Arthur Benison Hubback (1871-1948)。他的作品還有多座馬來西亞公共建築物。

Sketching Tai Tan Village Under a Papaya Tree 木瓜樹下畫大灘

This afternoon, I went to a village near the Wong Shek Pier. Settled down in the shade of a papaya tree, I spent an hour or so sketching this nice village house.  What is most special about the house is the four digits at the top of the house,  indicating the house has been a member of the village for over forty years.

下午走到鄰近黃石碼頭的大灘村作畫。木瓜樹蔭下，畫了一間老村屋。老村屋最有價值係牆頂上的四個數字，說明此屋已陪伴大灘超過四十年。

This is the sea view from the old village house.

老村屋望出去大灘海。

What is Public Space? Unfinished Sketch at Nan Lian Garden 公共空間? 未完成的南蓮園池寫生作品

When I started laying the watercolour after the line work, two security guards approached me and said I had to stop.  Dumbfounded, I asked them why.  One of the guards explained it was a place for appreciating the beauty of the garden so painting is not allowed.   Wasn't I appreciating the beauty of the garden I thought?!   I left for the garden office and discussed with the office staff there and they explained again, painting is not allowed as they think if everyone does the same, the place would become dirty.  They went on to explain how expensive the paving, stones and rock tables were and so protecting them from damage was necessary.   

準備多加一點水彩，突然出現兩位護衛，叫我不要再畫！ 其中一位說此地係讓人欣賞園景，不是作畫的! 真是莫名其妙！再到庭園辦事處詢問時，那裡的職員解釋說南蓮園池的地磚、石塊同檯椅等等均價值不菲，必須保護云云。

Jeeps, Playroom, Plumeria rubra and Sai Kung Village Association 吉普車、幼兒園、雞蛋花、西貢區同鄉會

Seemingly unrelated things! Two handsome jeeps, a children playroom, a Plumeria rubra and Sai Kung Village Association, and they form an interesting scene worthy to sketch.  

兩部Toyota吉普車、一所幼兒園、加一棵雞蛋花同西貢區同鄉會，再添一點陽光，就係一幅畫。

Tramway and Wet Market at Chun Yeung Street 電車穿過春秧街街市

It was my first time visiting the Chun Yeung Street Wet Market in North Point.  It is full of energy and local ambience.  What makes Chun Yeung Street unique is the tramway that passes through the very middle of this busy street, interacting with the pedestrians.

第一次到北角春秧街街市, 熱鬧非常！ 最特別係電車穿過路中間，同周圍的行人構成春秧街獨有的特色。