A delightful drawing by Paddy of John Craxton who was the illustrator of all of Paddy’s books from A Time to Keep Silence onwards. It was sent to me by Artemis Cooper who says ‘It’s a very good likeness of JC’.
Paddy’s writing is rather faint but he has written:
‘Johnny is always painting goats browsing on olive branches, which lays the country bare…’
Defense de Craxtonner by Patrick Leigh Fermor
Related articles:
Remembering John Craxton – an influential art giant and a lover of life
Patrick Leigh Fermor 
My pleasure. Wish I could draw like Paddy, by the way. The man just had so many gifts!
Hope I’m not being pedantic but if any of you were wondering about the title, it’s a pun on the French sign “défense de klaxonner”, meaning “no horn” or “no hooting” which is usually seen in France near hospitals, etc.
Not at all Nicolas – most useful. Thank you.
Great to see something that Paddy has written a few years ago, although I assume the ‘it’ should be taken out of this sentence ‘Paddy’s writing is rather faint but it he has written’
John Youde
John – all editorial assistance greatly appreciated!
My Pleasure
John Youde