This month brings more pilot cutter sailing and a few arty notes on the usefulness of horizon lines….. My idea of a perfect moment is sitting on a traditional boat, preferably in the sunshine, with a glass of wine in one hand and a pencil in the other. My idea of a perfect job continue reading »
There’s something about pilot cutters. They earned their keep by being fast, seaworthy and powerful enough to beat against wind and tide in the days when pilotage was a competitive business – first out to the ship got the job. They are used now for more gentle pursuits – sail training, charter, and in recent continue reading »
After several weeks of attention from men in overalls the good ship Else is back in her mud berth. Quality of life afloat depends primarily on knowing that your ship will not sink under you and anything else is a bonus, but the greatest of these, after heating, is working plumbing. I emerged from my continue reading »
This month I have spent too much time stepping in puddles in the dark, fetching water from the boatyard tap in the rain, fretting over wet and rusty bilges, and carrying bags of coal down slippery gangplanks without dropping them (or me) in the mud. I have learnt that whilst having a sinking boat would continue reading »
The party’s over and I’m back ashore, writing lists. Even my lists have got lists…. admin, invoices, replying to emails, catching up in the studio/gallery, wondering where I’m going to live this winter . You know the kind of thing – all the life ‘stuff’ that you leave behind when you go gadding around and continue reading »