My conversation with the signalman who answered the phone from the railway crossing was surreal – but it was late at night and he was probably bored. Me: Is it clear to take a car across? Him: Are there any animals involved? Me: That’s no way to talk about my friends! Him: Aren’t you the continue reading »
I did it; said goodbye to the river, to damp duvets and the curlew’s cry. I moved off the boat and into a small flat so I am now in winter mode, turning inwards and facing every creative’s dilemma – the pull of what you feel inspired to do versus the pull of what you continue reading »
What do you need when going over to a friend’s place for supper? Oilskins on, boots, torch. Supper – a container of caponata (aubergine casserole), loaf of bread, bottle of wine, all in a plastic box with a lid. Then step carefully onto the pontoon, which is rocking in the gale even this far up continue reading »
I’m writing this on board ‘Ellen’ anchored on the River Deben in Suffolk, just off a pretty wooded beach called the Rocks. Terns are swooping close by, their calls shrill but kinder on the ear than the boat’s anchor alarm, which goes off regularly enough to stop me getting complacent about the holding quality of continue reading »
Oh, well done Ben Ainslie. Small boat racing is something I admire but would never, ever, want to do. For a start, it’s fast, wet and stressful and I like my boats slow, dry and relaxing. Then, there’s the ‘winning’ thing – I’ve tried racing once or twice at club level but really can’t find continue reading »