Penguins, shipwrecks and whalebones – the Falkland Islands When Captain Fitzroy and the ‘Beagle’ arrived at the Falklands in March 1833, Charles Darwin’s diary notes: ‘The first news we received to our astonishment, that English had taken possession of the Falkland Islands and that the flag was now flying. These islands have been for some continue reading »
Flying fish and fickle winds ‘There’s a world of difference between saying ‘I want to’ and ‘I will” (Bernard Moitessier) It took us thirteen days to sail from San Cristobal in the Galapagos to Rapa Nui (Easter Island), a voyage of 2,007 miles. In that time we saw three ships, plenty of flying fish and continue reading »
I’ve never bunked off work for two months before, and apologies to anyone who’s been trying to get hold of me whilst I was away, but I’m so glad I did it. My little adventure was at times exciting, surprising, challenging, enjoyable, dull, relaxing, stressful, easy, and tough. I’ve walked in wild places, swum in continue reading »
I’ve led two arty holiday this year, both involving a certain amount of sea travel. The first was a shore based tour on the lovely Isles of Scilly in June, travelling there on the stately ferry Scillonian. She rolls in a big sea, and the sailing time was brought forward to get ahead of a continue reading »
Do you ever get stuck for ideas? I was asked the other day. Well, no, not often. Not because I’m in a state of permanent inspiration (I’m usually in a state of bewildered panic at how each day slips through my fingers so fast), but because most of my time in the studio is spent continue reading »