Fireside chat

After 8 days that feel like 50, home, relax and to blessed sleep. This after an activity packed voyage in England with many highlights, especially the visit to Harwich at the invitation of the Harwich Mayflower Project trustees, who could not have treated me and my two companions Katy & Peter Goodwin, with more honour … Read more

At Plymouth, Devonshire

Wild wet n windy Plymouth, always a pleasure.
“‘Tis not the gales but the set of your sails that determines the way you go”; ancient sea lore by the well know poet Anon.

River Plym 22.02.17
River Plym 22.02.17

Yesterday we had a fine soft rain and a SW force 5, the sent of the ocean was a delight for one’s senses, typical of Cornwall and Devon as spring approaches.
Today it’s brighter, wild n windy force 8 SW off the turbulent Atlantic.

River Plym 23.02.17
River Plym 23.02.17

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Southsea, Portsmouth

At sunny Southsea, Portsmouth this morning with Peter Goodwin. We have been discussing in among other things, in detail, The Mayflower. We have some new ideas, and HMS Racehorse including her voyage to the Arctic Ocean… Later today, via Paington onto Plymouth.

To the Port of Harwich

To Harwich via St Malo and Portsmouth. At Harwich to see the Mayflower Project and city Heritage trail. We, Katie & Peter Goodwin and I were royally treated, put into a beautiful hotel, given a very full agenda so now have much to discuss. I’ll tell you more soon.

Valentine’s day

How was your Valentine’s Day? A flower has been much in my thoughts today, well actually for quite a while now but more so today than before, a mayflower, or rather The Mayflower.  More of this soon, I am about to embark on another adventure… bien a toi, Gordon

Courier

It is with much regret, I shall miss it in my home, I have packed this painting ready for shipment to England and eventually its new home. IMG_7832
It was an 18 month grand adventure; my profound thanks to the many friends who helped research and make this possible.
Part of my challenge included how to make this visually ‘interesting’ and an authentic historical document too.

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Does framing matter?

Framing and varnishing has kept me out of mischief during the past couple of days.
I found myself cogitating on this subject as I prepared 3 paintings, illustrated here, for shipment to their new owners.
There are two of the images of each here so you can decide for yourself, enjoy.

Kenya, Maiden Arrival at Mombasa.
Kenya, Maiden Arrival at Mombasa.     
B I Sunday framed
B I Sunday framed

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Maiden

 

Following a headline in The Telegraph, “Skipper of first female round the world sailing crew reunited with yacht she was forced to sell 27 years ago”.

Ice Maiden 06.03.10
Ice Maiden 06.03.10

The skipper was and happily still is the redoubtable Tracy Edwards MBE, the yacht the famous “Maiden”.

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Jester

A jest via Facebook from Cap’n Chris Fagg, a veteran sailor, former ship mate, a comment worthy of a reply in kind. Chris wrote in response to a Pickle story and illustration I’d referred to, “In a bit of a Pickle” (the front bit) !…”  The picture he referred to is a detail from my … Read more