Number six from David Noble

In today's post, 28 June 2024, the David Noble-Gibsons partnership continues, with this 1000-piece puzzle titled Nearly Home. David's five previous paintings used by Gibsons have all appeared previously on this blog.

Two 'older' ladies are walking home from the shops on a very wet day, possibly, in the 1950's. They are dressed appropriately, ("well wrapped up", as my mother used to say) in heavy coats - one with a huge collar, mostly hiding the face - boots and hats. Chatting as they walk, of note are shopping bags beside them. Four Old Gals is the title on the Guild of Railway Artists' website. The class 9F 2-10-0 locomotive and the old austin/morris car (let me know if you can identify the car) are, obviously, the other two 'old gals'. David's composition blends extremely well and wet surfaces are handled expertly. The empty milk bottles and note (I remember them well) add that little bit more interest.

More from Kevin Walsh

Today's jigsaw, of 1000-pieces from Ravensburger, features another Kevin Walsh painting, this one titled Exploring the Dales - number two in the Leisure Days series. How this man manages to squeeze so many subjects into a single composition amazes me. This is certainly a jigsaw for the person who seeks impact with a capital 'I', (one who enjoys saturated colours, light and shade, and a variety of shapes and subjects, all presented in a creative composition). Kevin's painting certainly fits this criteria; but as it also includes the obligatory steam train, it fits this blog also. The locomotive in charge of a passenger service, about to traverse a canal bridge, is LMS (London Midland and Scottish Railway), 'Jubilee' class 4-6-0 No.5690, Leander - as seen in the modern preservation era.

The following text forms part of the jigsaw description included with the puzzle. "A day in the countryside can involve so many different activities. You might choose to enjoy a good walk, take your motorbike or car out for a run, enjoy a meal at a country pub, hop on board a boat or even enjoy the magic of steam. This lovely scene depicts just some of the leisure activities waiting to be discovered in the wonderful landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales". Enjoying such acivities are many holidaymakers and day trippers including children; walking/trekking, sailing at a sedate speed on different canal boats or enjoying a picnic. Prominent in the picture also are three cars, a single deck bus, two motorbikes with sidecars, many bird species, several dogs, a picturesque pub and an idyllic farmland background.