Southampton boat show is over – yes, it was exhausting, but that was balanced by the pleasure of seeing so many familiar faces and meeting plenty of new people. Thanks especially to the staff of Kelvin Hughes, stockists of every book about the sea that ever was or is…. great books and great company. I’m just continue reading »
I went to an inspirational lecture today by maritime art expert and historian James Taylor on the voyage of the Beagle, full of the small detail and human story that bring history to life. It’s a fascinating tale of unsung seamanship – imagine manoeuvring square rigged engineless ships for months on end in the Patagonian channels continue reading »
Busy in the studio this week getting everything together for the delightful Beale Park Boat Show. Set by a lake near Pangbourne, the show is the best way to mix business and pleasure, meeting up with other exhibitors and friends, sharing a glass or two over a barbecue in the evening, and sailing an assortment of continue reading »
Easter weekend and the sun has been shining on West Wales. This means only one thing for traditional boat owners and that’s sanding and varnishing, cursing the bits I didn’t get to last year which now need stripping off completely. We try very hard not to give envious glances at the shiny modern yachts which only continue reading »
I used to think that being an author was very glamorous, involving signing books for a queue of adoring fans. For most of us, of course, it’s not quite like that. You can forget the queues of adoring fans, for a start. If you’re very lucky, you look up from reading this month’s Practical Boat continue reading »