Blog Archive

Sea fever strikes again

Just before 2am I came on deck for the 2-5 watch. I was sleepy and slightly queasy from the westerly swell coming in from the Atlantic, making it a balancing act to pull on waterproof trousers and boots by my bunk in the forepeak. Night watches on a sailing ship can be dull and cold, continue reading »


Summer flows like the tide

Amongst many things this pandemic time has taught us patience and flexibility. When events we look forward to may or may not go ahead, we learn to be resigned if they don’t and delighted when they do. I had been planning an exhibition of small sketches based on my year on the river as part continue reading »


Painting the blues

Zoom used to be a photographer’s term. Lockdown has changed the way we meet and interact, and now I daren’t count up how many hours I spend talking to a screen; peering closely at a piece of artwork held up close to a camera in Kent or Canada to try and work out what isn’t continue reading »


Colour, connections and creativity

‘It’s all gone online now my dear, as you’re over there and I’m here We can chat in a forum with utmost decorum, but never meet up for a beer….’ Here we all are, still in hibernation eagerly waiting for the lengthening days and the freedom to do simple things like visit a friend – continue reading »


Paddles and paintboxes

The postponement of my Antarctic trip until later this year is no bad thing. It gives me time to do some research and reading, improve my wildlife (particularly bird) sketching skills and visit the Scott Polar Research Institute when circumstances allow. They have an impressive museum that I’m itching to visit. https://www.spri.cam.ac.uk/museum/ There are already continue reading »