GoGoR 2018

 A few images taken today, at the GoGoR 2018, race starts tomorrow at 12.00 CET.
A unique race, boats preparing to sail 30,000 + miles as Robin Knox-Johnston did back in 1968, no electronics.
These people are an elite, not actors of musicians pretending to be what they are not; THIS is the real thing.
Over 30 boats wanted the be here but failed to make the start.
Already 6 are preparing for the next GGR2022
GGR2018

Below, my Sailing Orders for tomorrow, in French & English :

‘Joshua’, one of the 1968 original fleet
 Joshua, this rugged yacht is now a listed historic treasure of France and based at La Rochelle.
Contact the musee de la Rochelle if you’d like to sail on her.
Onboard ‘Gipsy Moth IV’ with model makers from the Musee Maritine de la Rochelle
This is the yacht Sir Francis Chichester famously raced ‘Along the Clipper Way’

 

From the bow, onboard ‘Gipsy Moth IV’ the yacht Sir Francis Chichester famously raced ‘Along the Clipper Way’ 

  

One of the world’s most celebrated yachts

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GoGoR

A few images from 29.06.18 GoGoR, Les Sables d’Olonne.      Abhilash and his beautiful wife Urmimala were thrilled to see a copy of “Roaring Forties“. He said to me “you have no idea how many hours I have spent looking at your painting on the Internet”. Urmimala said she is going to make a room … Read more

GoGoR Start Live

How to watch the Golden Globe Race start live on Sunday 1st July (all times UTC+2 (CEST) : 11:30 – 12:30: Live coverage of the Race start will broadcast by France 3 TV  ***This feed is available free to all broadcasters Click here for Satellite download details. 9:00 – 11:30: Random Facebook live commentary of … Read more

First impressions

Arrived safely at Les Sables d’Olonne, home of the fabulous Golden Globe Race 2018. First impression, this is a great venue, I’m really glad Falmouth and Plymouth failed to host this event ! I’ve chosen well for accommodation, an almost new chalet at Moulin de la Salle, Olonne, a mere 8 minutes drive from the … Read more

Up Anchor

I’m upping anchor for a very special day in the history of sailing. 01 July at mid day will be the start of the next Golden Globe Race, it’s 50 years since Robin Knox-Johnston sailed into history by completing the first ever solo non stop circumnavigation. This morning I’m leaving for Sables d’Olonne to join … Read more

The Trafalgar Way

Chosen I am pleased to announce, this painting is to be an illustration for a new video promoting “The Trafalgar Way”. 

This is also an illustration of one of the many uses of a fine painting and it’s enduring worth.

Nelsons Pickle
Nelson’s ubiquitous Pickle, first with the news

I’ll let you know when the video goes onto Utube.

One of my ‘Nelson and Trafalgar Collection’, you can  see several of my friends included as crew; the portraits include ‘The’ veteran seaman, Robin Knox-Johnston, another figure is a self portrait.

Would YOU like to be will be in the next ‘crew’ I paint, probably a ‘Mayflower’ subject or one of the “Famous Wine Villages of Bordeaux ??? 

HMS Pickle, first with the news, a detail

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Calling B I

In his own words (and with his permission) a client in Glasgow wrote to me  “As a former BI man I very much look forward to receiving this print of your painting which commemorates this event, even though it was before my time”. {B I Sunday, Mombassa, oils on canvas, measures a healthy 76 x … Read more

Hole in one?

Responding to a generous comment made by Sam Greer on the Facebook page of the naval author Philip Allan and  I’m honoured to say a new ‘Facebook Friend’, may I amuse you by sharing a wee yarn about my painting, “First Shots” of which the picture here is a detail of HMS Victory

Trafalgar
‘First Shots’ detail

I built a scale model of ‘Victory‘ to help lay off the ship’s perspective in correct scale to the viewing distance. 
I guessed from Sam’s comment he knew most artist painters being ‘self taught’ misunderstand perspective, get it wrong particularly the beam and tumblehome. 
As for the ‘first’ hole in the topsail, you probably know it’s mentioned in quite a few accounts including by Frenchmen.

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Slate

I’ve been asked which artist made this slate? 

“Waterwitch off Gribben Head”

Put it on the slate” and a ‘who dunit’ question.

Even today this is a not uncommon phrase in an English pub.

Here, the phrase takes on for us an altogether different meaning; ‘Waterwitch off Gribben Head

Slates,

Waterwitch slate

Who produced these slates? if you know, do please tell.

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Last Chance

I’ll share my response to my friend Sher’s question, did I sail last week end?

I didn’t sail.

I’m about to put by beloved boat up for sale ~ any reasonable offer for a good home will be accepted. 

She’s an ideal boat for 2 to 4 people, fun to cruise, ideal for picnics, competitive to race.

2018 ready to sail

The weather here was discouraging; grey, cool and a bit breezy for a single handed sail. 

1982 ready to sail

Instead I worked with painting the new St Emilion study, cut the lawns and started some interior decoration on the ‘upper deck’.

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