Good Luck Cassia!

I was sad to hear that my new friend and fellow illustrator, Cassia Thomas, is imminently deserting The North and disappearing Down South. Shame on her!

Actually there are perfectly good reasons, which is why friends forgave her sufficiently to get together in Manchester this week, partly because we fancied supping some mulled wine and pottering through the markets, but also as a kind of send-off.

Though the others were all fresh-faced, disgustingly young, up-and-coming writers and illustrators, they were polite enough to affect not to notice the old bird nudging her way in, and a good time was had by all.

As you can see, we made the obigatory stop at Waterstones and signed our stock. This is Melanie Williamson who is moving in the opposite direction to Cassia, and has already got herself studio space in Manchester (is this part of some kind of Cosmic Illustrator Balance?).

These sketches, by the way, are those I did on the train, on the way there and back. It takes an hour, without too many stops, so is ideal.

Good luck with the move Cassia (get on with that packing missus!) and don't be a stranger. x