tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27739325363534358442024-02-19T22:50:57.637+00:00Leafy's Art BlogA Nautical RomanceLeafyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134691650394429549noreply@blogger.comBlogger127125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773932536353435844.post-35469518542742089082017-01-12T12:46:00.000+00:002017-01-12T12:51:23.941+00:00Lifeboat News, January 2017<b>West Mersea Lifeboat News.</b><br />
by Leafy Dumas, Lifeboat Press Officer.<br />
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We welcome in the New Year with a new page in the lifeboat logbook. Here are the entries for last year's shouts.<br />
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West Mersea Lifeboat had 62 calls for help in total. Some shouts are weather and tide related, some involve human error or illness and some are due to engine or kit failure. Some days we have multiple shouts, some days we have none. Most end happily, but devastatingly some are tragic.<br />
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<b>Record of Services, 2016.</b><br />
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<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">1.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">10 Feb Car stuck on Strood when tide over road. Lifeboat stood down as no danger.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">2.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 19 Mar Small yacht aground – Bradwell. Re-floated and towed to Mersea. </span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">3.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 25 Mar Speedboat broken down with 6 POB - Jaywick. Casualties & vessel taken to Osyth.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">4.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 02 Apr Assist Navy Bomb Disposal - St Peter’s Flats. Depth Charge detonated.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">5.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 06 Apr Yacht OCEAN DREAMER prop fouled – Bradwell. Vessel moored & crew taken ashore.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">6.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 10 Apr Semi-sunken yacht to be investigated – Osea. Nothing found.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">7.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 21 Apr Fishing vessel with engine failure – Lawling Ck. Casualty towed to Blackwater Marina.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">8.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 22 Apr Jet ski with engine failure – Steeple. Casualties landed at Steeple Bay.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">9.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 06 May 16ft powerboat with engine failure – Raysand Ch. Towed to Burnham by Burnham ILB.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">10.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 15 May 17ft powerboat with engine failure - Mill Beach. Casualty towed to Mersea.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">11.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 27 May Red flare sighted – River Colne. Searched but nothing found.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">12.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 30 May Jet ski with engine failure – Blackwater. Casualty assisted by another vessel.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">13.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 30 May Kayak capsized with boy in water – Mill Beach. Lifeboat assisted in recovery.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">14.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 04 Jun Outboard dinghy reported in difficulties – Thirslet. Searched but nothing found.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">15.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 05 Jun Medical casualty to be transferred to mainland. Lifeboat stood by but not required.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">16.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 05 Jun Medical casualty – Mersea, tide over Strood. Transferred Paramedic to Mersea.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">17.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 07 Jun Man in dinghy stuck on mud - Cocum Hills. Casualty recovered back to Mersea.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">18.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 21 Jun Upturned vessel reported – off Waldegraves. No POB. Vessel towed to Mersea.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">19.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 28 Jun Report of something falling off fishing boat. Vessel found laying oysters.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">20.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 02 Jul Yacht aground with damaged prop – Bradwell Ck. Casualty towed into marina.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">21.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 10 Jul Person in the water – Stone. Casualty rescued by others.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">22.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 17 Jul Jet Ski broken down & crew in mud – Lawling Ck. Casualty towed to Mersea.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">23.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 17 Jul Report of paraglider crashing – South Mersea. False alarm.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">24.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 20 Jul Windsurfer missing – Stansgate. Self-recovered before ILB arrived.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">25.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 22 Jul Windsurfer reported drifting – Blackwater. MFV wreckage recovered.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">26.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 22 Jul Dog stuck in mud – North Osea. Recovered before ILB arrived.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">27.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 25 Jul Skipper of yacht had a stroke – off Bradwell. Casualty treated. Handed to ambulance.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">28.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 07 Aug Yacht & powerboat aground – River Colne. Powerboat towed to Alresford Ck.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">29.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 07 Aug Windsurfer with broken mast – River Colne. Casualty taken to St Osyths.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">30.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 07 Aug Jet ski broken down – River Colne. Casualty towed to Brightlingsea.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">31.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 07 Aug Report of 2 sailing dinghies in difficulties – Nass. False alarm with good intent.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">32.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 14 Aug Packing Shed launch aground – Cobmarsh. 7 persons taken ashore.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">33.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 14 Aug Jet ski missing – Blackwater. Casualty found Stansgate taken ashore.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">34.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 17 Aug Capsized catamaran – Mill Creek. Casualty self-recovered.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">35.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 18 Aug Powerboat with engine failure – East Mersea. Casualty towed to Brightlingsea.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">36.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 18 Aug Tasked to Yacht aground – West Mersea. No help needed, others assisted.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">37.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 18 Aug Powerboat with fouled propeller – Sales Point. Casualty towed to Bradwell marina.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">38.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 20 Aug Search for missing windsurfer – Blackwater. Casualty recovered deceased.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">39.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 21 Aug Car broken down in water – Strood. Stood by until tide receded.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">40.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 21 Aug Yacht BRIGHTSIDE aground – Tollesbury. Vessel towed off mud.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">41.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 23 Aug Swimmer in difficulties – Mersea beach. Casualty ok. Launch cancelled.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">42.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 26 Aug Person missing from yacht at night – Mersea. Casualty located and returned.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">43.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 27 Aug Yacht with broken mast – Blackwater. No assistance required.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">44.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 27 Aug Yacht BELINDA with rope round prop – Nass. Casualty towed to mooring.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">45.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 31 Aug Angling boat with engine failure – Osea. Casualty towed to Steeple bay.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">46.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 03 Sept Yacht HORNBLOWER aground – Lawling Ck. Landed crew ashore.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">47.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 04 Sept Yacht HORNBLOWER aground - Lawling Ck. Assisted casualty to mooring.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">48.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 04 Sept Windsurfer in difficulties - Bradwell. Casualty and board brought ashore.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">49.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 05 Sept Small dinghy reported drifting – Blackwater. No occupants. Craft brought ashore.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">50.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 15 Sept Jet ski broken down – Mill Beach. Casualties and Jet ski recovered.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">51.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 24 Sept Small motorboat with steering failure – Ray Ch. Casualty towed to Mersea Causeway.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">52.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 24 Sept Catamaran with fouled prop – Tollesbury. Unable to clear prop. Left in location.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">53.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 25 Sept Motorboat with steering failure – Blackwater. Casualty towed to Bradwell marina.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">54.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 02 Oct Transfer paramedic to Mersea – tide over Strood. Paramedic taken to casualty.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">55.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 02 Oct DSC alert received from yacht – Bench Head. Casualty towed to Bradwell marina.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">56.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 04 Oct Investigate yacht adrift – Blackwater. Vessel towed to mooring at Stone.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">57.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 07 Oct Transfer medical casualty ashore – Brightlingsea. Casualty taken to ambulance.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">58.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 12 Oct Motorboat with engine failure – East Mersea. Casualty towed to Brightlingsea.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">59.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 13 Oct Report of drifting yacht – Blackwater. Yacht found not to be in trouble.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">60.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 16 Oct Person fallen in water from yacht – Strood Channel. Casualty recovered to boathouse.</span></li>
<li><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">61.<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;"> 16 Oct Yacht with engine failure – Waldegraves. Casualty towed to Tollesbury</span></li>
<li><span style="font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -18pt;">62. 19 Oct Person in water calling for help – Waldegraves. Lifeboat stood down after launch.</span></li>
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<b>The lifeboat is at the heart of every coastal community on our island nation. </b></div>
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We are lucky to have a magnificent boat and crew in West Mersea with a supportive lifeboat family and wider community; this means we can provide a safety net around our estuary coastline and truly help those in peril on the sea. Manned by volunteers. funded by donations, the RNLI is a noble organisation providing a vital emergency service. The crew, their families and the good people who raise the funds to enable the boat to run are all pretty amazing. </div>
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We, at West Mersea Lifeboat Station and our boat, Just George, send a MASSIVE thank you to all of you who have donated money to help keep the boat and crew ready for action. Running a lifeboat station is a dauntingly expensive operation, yet with your help we do it. </div>
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There are many of you who we would dearly love to mention but with only room for a few, here are some of the committed and wonderful folk who selflessly raise large amounts for the RNLI year after year after year:-</div>
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Mr Rix, with his countless sales from his Firs Road garden gate. The WMYC with their annual pursuit race.</div>
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The Maldon Little Ship Club with their annual sponsored row and gig race, and </div>
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The Basin Oars from Heybridge - a marvellous group of enthusiastic women rowers bursting with bonhomie.</div>
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We are grateful for every penny. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcuNgezaOP6kCiqDaLUfMtD5gAhqfSRAPlc0_YkeY_P793CADBumJm5Gc8DddEUZcf1w-v21FM_NYQ0Z5eS3-m2LX0Vj_loYMLU7TR3IsSUQ314C9W1pFTHWR8uVxMr1iEdxTJefw9KdyD/s1600/The+Basin+Oars+aboard+the+lifeboat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcuNgezaOP6kCiqDaLUfMtD5gAhqfSRAPlc0_YkeY_P793CADBumJm5Gc8DddEUZcf1w-v21FM_NYQ0Z5eS3-m2LX0Vj_loYMLU7TR3IsSUQ314C9W1pFTHWR8uVxMr1iEdxTJefw9KdyD/s640/The+Basin+Oars+aboard+the+lifeboat.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Photo, West Mersea Lifeboat. </div>
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The Basin Oars with lifeboat crew.</div>
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Leafyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134691650394429549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773932536353435844.post-9609803821864831462017-01-12T11:23:00.001+00:002017-01-12T11:28:17.462+00:00Lifeboat News, Boxing Day Dip 2016<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">West
Mersea Lifeboat News</span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">by Leafy Dumas, Lifeboat Press Officer.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Crowds gathered from far and wide on the
Monkey Beach at West Mersea on Boxing Day morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The air temperature was hovering around 7
degrees Celcius but along with the windchill it felt significantly colder as
hardy souls gathered in swimming attire and fancy dress ready for a chilly dip
in the cold North Sea. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">The Boxing Day Dip at the Monkey Beach is an
annual event run by the West Mersea Lifeboat and Guild. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The aim of the bracing dip in the cold North
Sea is to raise much needed funds for the <a href="https://rnli.org/" target="_blank">RNLI</a>. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the eleventh year of the dip at West
Mersea and it is fast becoming a great Boxing Day tradition. There is not much
better than a small dose of wonderfully invigorating madness for a very worthy
cause!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">150 swimmers braved the chilly waters in
all manner of attire; there were elves and Santas, an incredible hulk, a tiger,
a shark, sailors, men in tutus and even a swimming chef from the Victory. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Prizes were awarded for the best fancy dress
with the winners being Paul Camina from New York for his cyborg costume,
Caroline Bowring for her Daffy Duck outfit and George Devonport for dressing up
as Mrs Claus, Father Christmas’ wife. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Thank you to The Victory Hotel for providing
mulled wine and hot blackcurrant juice to fortify the dippers, to Tesco for donating
mince pies, and to marvellous Lyn and Heather from the Poop Deck who saved the
day with their tea tent providing hot refreshments to sustain us all. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Two lifeboats were in attendance: our own
Just George from West Mersea from which Stormy Stan disembarked, and our flank
station’s boat from Clacton.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Stormy Stan entertained the crowds, along
with lifeboat helmsman Jason Dale with his wonderful commentary. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Thronging with hardy souls as far as the
eye could see, West Mersea beach on Boxing Day was a sight to behold!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you, from all of us at the Lifeboat
Station, for coming. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-RbyfvWoYvChpDiyH6Ls88dsWsav4678Ep0Cj1m-WytIfe4H6cYHVPyXqimTZi9n7UfNzrtLoaGINKcD3zfnVl-XtM8R5Qv8N8EcZK2ZlU5cblJH6-sF6hDi0GK9N3urGu9TocK_JfIFo/s1600/31522946560_befb967d88_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-RbyfvWoYvChpDiyH6Ls88dsWsav4678Ep0Cj1m-WytIfe4H6cYHVPyXqimTZi9n7UfNzrtLoaGINKcD3zfnVl-XtM8R5Qv8N8EcZK2ZlU5cblJH6-sF6hDi0GK9N3urGu9TocK_JfIFo/s1600/31522946560_befb967d88_z.jpg" /></a></div>
Photographs by <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/sasastro/albums/72157674456261494/with/31086587423/" target="_blank">Sas Astro</a>.</div>
Leafyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134691650394429549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773932536353435844.post-4303771405444335952016-12-20T08:56:00.000+00:002016-12-20T10:18:36.118+00:00Lifeboat News<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-US">I have recently started writing for <a href="http://www.westmersealifeboat.org/" target="_blank">West Mersea Lifeboat</a> and will, from time to time, post my L</span>ifeboat News here. If you happen upon a lifeboat post, fret not, artier etceteras will resume in due course. </i></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US">West
Mersea Lifeboat news. </span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">by Leafy Dumas, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lifeboat Press Officer, December 2016.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">There have been some glorious high tides
lately, cutting us off and affirming our island status. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">There are often stories in the local news
about cars stranded on the Strood at high tides, and our lifeboat often gets
called out to hapless motorists stuck mid-way across.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For readers from far away, the Strood is the
causeway (and only road) linking Mersea Island to the mainland.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is sometimes covered by very high tides
and there are always a foolhardy few who make the expensive mistake of trying
to drive through despite our regular pleas not to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our mission at the RNLI is to save lives at
sea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A swamped vehicle stuck on the
Strood is an uncomfortable problem for the driver and passengers but rarely
life-threatening.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">A more serious threat to life lies in the
inability for an ambulance or a paramedic to drive onto the island when the
tide covers the Strood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is where we
come into action. These shouts, or medevacs, are some of our most crucial.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our normal modus operandi is to take the
lifeboat up the Ray Channel, meeting the ambulance at a rendezvous point on the
mainland in Peldon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From there we pick
up the paramedic and take him –or her- in the lifeboat to the hammerhead
pontoon on the island where our Coastguard friends will be waiting with a
vehicle to rush the paramedic to the stranded casualty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ambulance follows by road once the tide
has subsided. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In some cases we do it
the other way around, taking the casualty in the lifeboat to a waiting
ambulance on the mainland. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Beyond Ray Island the Ray Creek twists and
turns it’s way to Peldon.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It can be
tricky to navigate at speed on a dark night so we have placed a few marker
posts in the saltings to help us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some
of you eagle-eyed sailors may have noticed them shining out at crucial points
along the edge of the channel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hanging
over the bow of the lifeboat on a dark night holding a spotlight pointing low
over the water, it is very reassuring to be able to pick out our posts and know
we are on the right track.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With medevacs
in mind, on a recent training exercise we checked the posts, replacing
reflective tape in preparation for the dark winter nights ahead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Photo by lifeboat crew, Tim Marshall. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzs2hyphenhyphennlWKDVM1RTV8-zZF-hg3JR1Nj5XxJscg5fS7APpAUIjdYLlVUbhl4ZNKiPClpcoOhhwGhmAejjN-LtM1N0kBVo18zUHWDWbeQSFp6XZ36g-sV3TD2d9YY29tyyyrpXhV81pgUSf/s1600/Lifeboat%252C+channel+marker+ex.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="465" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDzs2hyphenhyphennlWKDVM1RTV8-zZF-hg3JR1Nj5XxJscg5fS7APpAUIjdYLlVUbhl4ZNKiPClpcoOhhwGhmAejjN-LtM1N0kBVo18zUHWDWbeQSFp6XZ36g-sV3TD2d9YY29tyyyrpXhV81pgUSf/s640/Lifeboat%252C+channel+marker+ex.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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What’s up next? </div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Lifeboat
Carols</span></b><span lang="EN-US">. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Sunday 18<sup>th</sup> December 2016.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Come and sing with the lifeboat crew!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Carol Service at the West Mersea Lifeboat
Station,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sunday 18<sup>th</sup> December
2016 at 3pm. Open to all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There will be
mulled wine and mince pies. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Boxing
Day Dip</span></b><span lang="EN-US">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Monday 26<sup>th</sup> December 2016.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">This will be our eleventh year of dipping
for the lifeboat. Come snow, come ice, come gales, come rain, come and test
your mettle and wash away that Christmas fug!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">What is it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">On Boxing Day morning brave souls from far
and wide will converge on the beach by the houseboats. Some in fancy dress,
some in swimming costumes or wetsuits, but all with the common goal of a
bracing dip in the December North Sea to raise much needed funds for our
lifeboat. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Come and join in the fun; have a dip in the
sea or support the dippers on the shore; meet Stormy Stan; see our lifeboat,
Just George, and our flank station Clacton Lifeboat which will also be there. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Mulled wine and hot blackcurrant will be
provided by the Victory to fortify the dippers, and marvellous Lyn and Heather
from the Poop Deck will be running a tea tent providing refreshments to sustain
us all. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">This event is open to everyone. Fancy dress
is optional. There will be prizes for the best fancy dress.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dippers call <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">01206 382874</b> for a sponsorship form or you can enter on the day
with a £5 donation to the RNLI. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Meet at
1100am on the Monkey Beach by the houseboats. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Leafyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134691650394429549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773932536353435844.post-1276409911415067412016-12-07T10:43:00.000+00:002016-12-09T15:10:28.616+00:00Rumblings afoot<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am rubbish at keeping up with this blog. It's a proven fact. To all the loyal followers I once had, I am SORRY.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKwDjv5zCeuyTqA-k2qXI5k4gy4SQ_ojyaedH1aL8jR7D9Qoqit1zf4mypJIhSfPQcTuwOVQkKR2AQF_W9CGmUd_L3BBvh3Oq08P_TpSutvH7M-PIFJkS4yrmzblJ82RUy5vufV48-r-SY/s1600/O+Christmas+Tree+%25C2%25A9+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKwDjv5zCeuyTqA-k2qXI5k4gy4SQ_ojyaedH1aL8jR7D9Qoqit1zf4mypJIhSfPQcTuwOVQkKR2AQF_W9CGmUd_L3BBvh3Oq08P_TpSutvH7M-PIFJkS4yrmzblJ82RUy5vufV48-r-SY/s640/O+Christmas+Tree+%25C2%25A9+blog.jpg" width="436" /></a></div>
<br />
Self promotion is an ugly thing. Week in week out selling requires bullish drive and a hardened soul. I must try harder. O the drama! I must muster all stamina, endure the failures and quash my angst and doubt.<br />
<br />
What is it all for?<br />
<br />
On a similar theme Nick Cohen (on speaking at literary festivals) once wrote,<br />
<i>"As a well brought up Englishman, it has taken me years to overcome my instinctive nervousness at asking to be paid. It felt sordid, not the sort of thing nice people do...</i><br />
<i>...I agreed to work for nothing then resented the festival organisers and despised myself for going along with them."</i><br />
<br />
Sharing his sentiment and stealing his words I write,<br />
<br />
As a well brought up Englishwoman, I struggle to overcome my instinctive nervousness at self promotion. Every now and then I give it a go, but cringe with embarrassment at every post and despise myself for being a brazen show-off. It feels sordid, and not the sort of thing nice people do.<br />
<br />
<b>********************************************************************************</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Important Stuff;</b><br />
<br />
Christmas cards are available to buy from my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/leafydumas?ref=hdr_shop_menu&section_id=18045826" target="_blank">Etsy shop</a>.<br />
<br />
I am now stocking the new shop, <a href="https://en-gb.facebook.com/no4mersea/">No.4</a> in Mersea. Please support it, I'd like this shop to stay.<br />
<br />
I am also at the <a href="http://www.denphillipsphotos.com/?page_id=205" target="_blank">Salty Dogs Show</a> in Maldon which runs until Dec 31st and is in full swing. Do go.<br />
<br />
<b>Something Extra;</b><br />
I have a new role at the lifeboat station.<br />
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<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Having
served more or less 8 years as a member of the West Mersea lifeboat crew I now begin a
new role as lifeboat press officer. I had a thought that I might publish lifeboat news regularly here, in my Art Blog, as well as in the local papers. Still Leafy's Art Blog, but with added lifeboatyness to spice things up. Watch this space. </span></div>
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<br />Leafyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134691650394429549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773932536353435844.post-48483480695473846132016-03-29T19:25:00.000+01:002016-04-07T20:06:26.429+01:00The making of Rosa and the SealWell, Easter has been and gone, the clocks have changed, time flies and now all of a sudden it's 'Get-Your-Boat-Ready-And-Back-In-The-Water' time. <br />
<br />
Boatwork is weighing on my mind. Obviously I should have been doing it all winter but I haven't. There are a few brave boilersuited souls tinkering in the yard but I am leaning towards wimpishness and waiting for warmer days. The thermometer keeps hovering around six degrees which is decidedly parky. No matter, there is indoorsy stuff to do, an empire to build and a blog to update.<br />
<br />
Indoorsy. Isn't that an awful word?<br />
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Quite a lot has been going on at Leafy HQ, a big achievement has been finishing a new picture, Rosa and the Seal. This is a deep and dreamy classic illustration of friendship and trust. The finished Rosa can be found over in my <a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/287716729/fine-art-print-rosa-and-the-seal?ref=shop_home_active_1" target="_blank">Etsy shop (click link)</a>, do look, but here (nervously laying my soul bare) are her sketchy beginnings. <br />
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Onwards.Leafyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134691650394429549noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773932536353435844.post-51231510646650665452016-02-09T20:14:00.000+00:002016-02-10T08:11:17.992+00:00Fifty One Degrees North<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvv6_JbpH4_45K-Xr-23cfXlGyqOGj9XnRAeX0Zp1pyTPERh2Hd4oAhC-d6EVj0I9b1sJ0TiTrWOTAbwN06huI0OH82F_cy2ADucoUCdBFbeCXauc8Lthr9BTc_v4jrHaWkUWbR80orzKy/s1600/WMYC+lat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU16dXD8t_4GWP1CQwfoY3zdWQ1EH8PZo3RPkPWxCgxLPUTUSYD1LENEpCCXau9ghm1pBOG_ZeTRf0hkaMMR0rBCRMe_xAEvpGDCYt8IEX9-FZcdbK6tNiMAMVEhMWG85zstpGOlHYLZaw/s1600/WMYC+latlong.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="385" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU16dXD8t_4GWP1CQwfoY3zdWQ1EH8PZo3RPkPWxCgxLPUTUSYD1LENEpCCXau9ghm1pBOG_ZeTRf0hkaMMR0rBCRMe_xAEvpGDCYt8IEX9-FZcdbK6tNiMAMVEhMWG85zstpGOlHYLZaw/s640/WMYC+latlong.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
I have been doing the do in <a href="http://www.wmyc.org.uk/" target="_blank">West Mersea Yacht Club</a> this morning moving two little dashes I painted two years ago. They have been in the wrong place for two whole years. I am feeling a little bit mortified about this. I should have known better. <br />
<br />
When I was first asked to paint the latitude and longitude over the club bar it was 2014 and no-one could agree what the coordinates actually were. <br />
<br />
Quite a few variations were being bandied about so I decided to have go at plotting the position myself. Using parallel rules I counted out the degrees, minutes and seconds from an old Admiralty chart in the <a href="http://www.westmersealifeboat.org/" target="_blank">lifeboat station</a>. More likely I think I just stared, sucked my pencil and dreamed of heroically navigating across oceans whilst our LOM (Lifeboat Operations Manager) worked it out. Before I knew it he'd done it. <br />
<br />
I was elated and thought I could smugly tell the Commodore,<br />
"Look! These are they", but back at the Yacht Club they had yet another answer. I was given a new set of <b><i>correct</i> </b>coordinates with a decimal place. A decimal place! There's nothing romantic about a decimal place. A very clever electronic box and a satellite had worked it out, the computer must be right, this must be where we are.<br />
<br />
So, I painted the numbers with the decimal places, with a nice compass rose inbetween. Now, what with there being a decimal, there weren't any seconds anymore, just minutes and points of a minute. And me being a stupid artist and not knowing anything about GPS, and not really knowing anything about old school navigation either (despite having passed my Yachtmaster shorebased three times -it's about time I went to sea but that's another story) I put the little dashy apostrophe mark that denotes minutes right at the end of the number when apparently it ought to go <i><b>before</b></i> the decimal.<br />
<br />
Either everyone was terribly kind or nobody noticed or nobody cared. No-one said a word until today. Anyhow, tis rectified (but a bit squashed in) and all is well with the world. <br />
<br />
<br />
PS<br />
About the Yachtmaster. I think I'm going to have to do night school and make it a fourth time... now I have a boat and the whole world is just across the water but I am full of angst and not feeling quite brave enough to leap off and go. Re-yachtmastering will surely bolster my beans !<br />
<br />
This is dangerous talk. Announcing here that I am going to do something sort of makes me actually have to do it. And I know that thing that once you begin something it is never quite as terrifying as the thinking about doing it beforehand, but all the same, I might just hop round the island to Pyefleet Creek before I tackle the Horn.<br />
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Leafyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134691650394429549noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773932536353435844.post-85996824952867214392016-02-02T10:16:00.000+00:002016-02-02T10:31:13.207+00:00The Birds of Lady Grace<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hooray! I have managed to change the fontsize (and font) of this blog. It's still nigh on impossible to read on a phone, but hopefully easier on everything else. I really should have done this years ago. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The New Year has catapulted ahead full of busy-ness.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I have spent a lot of January </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">hunkered down over fiddly teabag-sized watercolours, my colouring pencils and my computer screen. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I did have plans for oil paint and canvas,</span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> for chunks of wood, for boats, for Pierhead(ish) paintings and sailor(ish) tattoos but things changed and their time will come.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So yes, lately I've mostly been drawing birds; natives and visitors (birdfolk not humans) to our Essex marshes all spotted from the Lady Grace.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Stacey is the skipper of Lady Grace. She is a good waterfront ally (it's a man's world out there), you can find her at the end of the hammerhead jetty running boat trips around the creeks and islands. If you're lucky she'll be dressed as an elf or even a pirate. You can also find her <a href="http://www.essexboattrips.co.uk/index.php/gallery" target="_blank">here</a>. (And <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ladygraceboattrips/" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://www.twitter.com/StaceyBelbin" target="_blank">here</a>.)</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxk32R5y_qTbk_1M1z5VE30DPXGblYPPAHUOKxvWUUeGiG73ggNaNC9sAbUH0i-yzhg_ZOh72Yo6etSwU7hZavMKnk8ZMgmUVoJsnTPeaCvuEbGTd3SQKATaa4I0TquFtdZZWjlHPQADAw/s1600/1401499_128233804018282_2054536864_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="This is Stacey's picture, not mine." border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxk32R5y_qTbk_1M1z5VE30DPXGblYPPAHUOKxvWUUeGiG73ggNaNC9sAbUH0i-yzhg_ZOh72Yo6etSwU7hZavMKnk8ZMgmUVoJsnTPeaCvuEbGTd3SQKATaa4I0TquFtdZZWjlHPQADAw/s640/1401499_128233804018282_2054536864_o.jpg" title="This is Stacey's picture, not mine. " width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Stacey's picture, not mine.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Stacey is having a new kitchen you see, and the grand plan is to make her some tiles (with birds on). Not knowing anything about ceramics it's been a bit of a worry finding the right person with the right sort of kiln to do the right sort of tile making. Every ceramics trail leads us to Stoke-on-Trent, the home of the pottery industry, but surely there must be somewhere nearer?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Well, plans are afoot, the ball is rolling and we shall see. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I am dreaming now, of tiles and mugs and plates and... </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Oh the possibilities are endless!</span>Leafyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134691650394429549noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773932536353435844.post-58978462379965889682015-12-31T10:36:00.000+00:002015-12-31T10:36:07.469+00:00Bye Bye 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
On top of the world with <a href="http://www.classicboat.co.uk/news/celebrated-naval-architect-ed-burnett-has-died/" target="_blank">Ed</a> and a patchwork of otherness. All pics are mine except <a href="http://lifeboatstationproject.com/galleries/rnli-women-gallery/" target="_blank">Jack Lowe</a>'s (can you spot it?) and another (an oldie) from my mother's album. Jack's looks like the oldie but <a href="http://www.leafydumas.blogspot.co.uk/2015/03/the-lifeboat-station-project.html" target="_blank">it's not</a>. <br />
<br />Leafyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134691650394429549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773932536353435844.post-19994129728478802572015-12-23T11:37:00.000+00:002015-12-24T08:07:53.220+00:00Death, Despair and Rainbow CrackersThis is my blog. Sometimes I am here and sometimes I am not. <br />
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Not being here has become a bit of a thing lately, glaringly obvious from the title of my <a href="http://www.leafydumas.blogspot.co.uk/2015/04/happy-easter.html" target="_blank">last post</a> - Happy Easter. It's almost Happy Christmas, for goodness' sake !<br />
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Lost dreams.<br />
<br />
Lost loves.<br />
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There has been a lot of dying going on which has filled me with sadness and made me lie low. <br />
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Dad died first, slowly, stoically, horribly, accompanied by an agonising illness. After years of pain and struggle we grew to expect and even welcome death, but when it finally came it was gut-wrenchingly awful and a shock.<br />
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Then all of a sudden it was <a href="http://www.burnettyachtdesign.co.uk/" target="_blank">Ed</a>'s turn. Ed died suddenly and in tragic circumstances. I thought he'd be here forever. I loved Ed. He was my rock and a bastion of strength and support. Then one day he just <a href="http://forum.woodenboat.com/showthread.php?192817-RIP-Ed-Burnett" target="_blank">disappeared</a> from this earth, shockingly, quickly and without warning. Just like that. Tuesday all smiles and chats on the 'phone, Wednesday gone. Bang.<br />
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Both deaths beyond awful. <br />
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I am all at sea.<br />
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Grief changes you. I feel more inclined to hide, I have a new and more cynical view of life and a greater impatience with people who are unfamiliar with loss. <br />
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In a bubble, here on this earth but not really connecting, functioning but not really feeling. Heavy hearted but not entirely hopeless... I have held my daughter's head above the waves, although sometimes I think it is she who holds mine.<br />
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I shouldn't harp on about it so much, for heaven's sake ! People die, I will too. We all will. Get a grip, Leafy.<br />
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I have an uneasy relationship with character bolstering quotes (surely they are for the weak and needy) but privately I am an addict; here are some words that are helping to shake me from my reverie,<br />
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<b>I am the master of my fate</b><br />
<b>I am the captain of my soul.</b><br />
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Scribbled in marker pen inside the cabin of his ocean going rowing boat, thank you <a href="http://www.alastairhumphreys.com/adventures/" target="_blank">Alastair Humphreys</a> (a newfound hero of mine -absolutely NOT weak and needy at all), but original thanks must go to William Ernest Henley and his <a href="http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/182194" target="_blank">poem</a>, <b>Invictus</b>.<br />
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Onwards with high hopes for a new chapter,<br />
And sending love, happy Christmas wishes and thanks too,<br />
Thanks for all your looking, browsing, following, buying and general spurring on, I really do appreciate it.<br />
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Christmas cards of the image above (and others) are still available to buy (<a href="https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/leafydumas" target="_blank">click here</a>). You could put some in the cupboard for next year perhaps...<br />
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<br />Leafyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134691650394429549noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773932536353435844.post-25007405018325395162015-04-05T11:30:00.000+01:002015-04-05T11:30:07.708+01:00Happy Easter!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7HVT8Stp0SGxu66ruJ36WAIopcH4d0KyMISrKeDXtBbwuVgRReU8YIuVjY5ayIAkizWgtNl5LQyl6IwpyvKYSY2Z2Lm7rEpQ0X_2Ryjl6nVAoTtavaXVqNVeRE5F9GLZzp967CMYtB5KU/s1600/bowline+bunny+lowres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7HVT8Stp0SGxu66ruJ36WAIopcH4d0KyMISrKeDXtBbwuVgRReU8YIuVjY5ayIAkizWgtNl5LQyl6IwpyvKYSY2Z2Lm7rEpQ0X_2Ryjl6nVAoTtavaXVqNVeRE5F9GLZzp967CMYtB5KU/s1600/bowline+bunny+lowres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7HVT8Stp0SGxu66ruJ36WAIopcH4d0KyMISrKeDXtBbwuVgRReU8YIuVjY5ayIAkizWgtNl5LQyl6IwpyvKYSY2Z2Lm7rEpQ0X_2Ryjl6nVAoTtavaXVqNVeRE5F9GLZzp967CMYtB5KU/s1600/bowline+bunny+lowres.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
Bunny rabbit knot...Leafyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134691650394429549noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773932536353435844.post-67977479930258492322015-03-20T20:59:00.001+00:002015-03-20T20:59:47.429+00:00Ring Out Wild Bells!Ring Out Wild Bells! ...I've opened an <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/leafydumas">Etsy</a> shop!<br />
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/leafydumas">IN AND OUT OF THE SEA, the artwork of Leafy Dumas.</a><br />
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/leafydumas"><br /></a>
<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/leafydumas">Purveyor of fine quality cards and prints; illustrations for grown-ups and children (boats, maps and the English seaside).</a><br />
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I find it slightly terrifying that the whole world (well, those connected to the internet at least) can now click and buy something Leafish from <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/leafydumas">www.etsy.com/shop/leafydumas</a> if they so wish. <br />
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Marching onwards and upwards I am carrying on regardless. I will be listing more items in the coming weeks. Do keep checking in... greetings cards are a comin'!<br />
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And a big thankyou to Alfred, Lord Tennyson, for his wonderful words.Leafyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134691650394429549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773932536353435844.post-31794676670195090452015-03-13T16:12:00.000+00:002015-03-13T18:10:19.875+00:00The Lifeboat Station Project.Last week I was lucky enough to meet Jack Lowe. <br />
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Jack is a lifelong enthusiast and supporter of the <a href="http://rnli.org/Pages/default.aspx">RNLI</a>. Travelling in Neena, his decommissioned NHS ambulance (and mobile darkroom), Jack is on a mission to visit all 237 Lifeboat Stations in Britain and Ireland and document them all using an early Victorian process known as Wet Plate Collodion.<br />
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He is making three or four photographs (ambrotypes on glass) at each lifeboat station; a group portrait of the crew, a portrait of each Coxswain or Senior Helm, and a view or two out to sea. <br />
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Here he is with his camera, a fantastic affair made of wood...<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKdcbL9xxB-_1Fh-1YjZpE4I__xLQpdcZ7iJevAgMlUm5UEWjl6qbcp4CDQTn7ss1nROBxnjue8c63SoqE95NcKPzb-KCopjrRG4rLJStJ1AZ-own7Pikdib26fHveJi2VI__QNhgmYZJ3/s1600/lifeboatstationproject-by-jacklowe_portrait_02-e1422538519497.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKdcbL9xxB-_1Fh-1YjZpE4I__xLQpdcZ7iJevAgMlUm5UEWjl6qbcp4CDQTn7ss1nROBxnjue8c63SoqE95NcKPzb-KCopjrRG4rLJStJ1AZ-own7Pikdib26fHveJi2VI__QNhgmYZJ3/s1600/lifeboatstationproject-by-jacklowe_portrait_02-e1422538519497.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Jack Lowe</td></tr>
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...and here he is in West Mersea composing our crew picture,<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6MKmMEE_kcGMuo_sjSuZ6dNFHWj6V_buRgsL63beKQen18J1pW2x5UV-WOGmwotdArKUWlQEklB8XmIFa8SZKor9_VvWhBEtlg_uFzvfEzygAq2PagTHbJeMriMI2Q216MQDqegYQVqy0/s1600/Jack+Lowe+crew+pic+lowres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6MKmMEE_kcGMuo_sjSuZ6dNFHWj6V_buRgsL63beKQen18J1pW2x5UV-WOGmwotdArKUWlQEklB8XmIFa8SZKor9_VvWhBEtlg_uFzvfEzygAq2PagTHbJeMriMI2Q216MQDqegYQVqy0/s1600/Jack+Lowe+crew+pic+lowres.jpg" height="441" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Martin Wade</td></tr>
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...and Jack's glass plate of Matthew Haward, our Senior Helm, sitting in the wash tray.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZLfmmwNbJagy4DO-E3FZ1ICJabxxs2GmgViO5ljzJenxh2k5QmeI3sLzqB26bNYlT9tFKqC5-Up_76QDEPDGuNHlD9_pw_BwVM0VOsffI921hyphenhyphenkfhTvX8a52_V9UtBs2yW8iGYLid0wP6/s1600/11046978_946560268688798_5217542760738995871_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZLfmmwNbJagy4DO-E3FZ1ICJabxxs2GmgViO5ljzJenxh2k5QmeI3sLzqB26bNYlT9tFKqC5-Up_76QDEPDGuNHlD9_pw_BwVM0VOsffI921hyphenhyphenkfhTvX8a52_V9UtBs2yW8iGYLid0wP6/s1600/11046978_946560268688798_5217542760738995871_n.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Jack Lowe</td></tr>
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and steelyfaced on the slipway, a last minute extra.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdDd6vyq3ty0-rXGuWMKfYjQEVr9f_bv0qMxLzb37wxshnmxgy4kTLMHBiek81XHKXRhuYC_kdtHRIyhyphenhyphenj1GYnNfVUow2NwNHa-UhNp_yonfVibgDOmWHqxxavhq15CtXGIYvtDKPbtxJH/s1600/Jack+Lowe+shoot+lowres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdDd6vyq3ty0-rXGuWMKfYjQEVr9f_bv0qMxLzb37wxshnmxgy4kTLMHBiek81XHKXRhuYC_kdtHRIyhyphenhyphenj1GYnNfVUow2NwNHa-UhNp_yonfVibgDOmWHqxxavhq15CtXGIYvtDKPbtxJH/s1600/Jack+Lowe+shoot+lowres.jpg" height="483" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Martin Wade</td></tr>
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Jack said,<br />
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"Every now and then, the chance arises to make a special additional portrait 'outside the schedule'. <br />
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On our travels, it's quite striking that RNLI crews tend to be very male-dominated - about 98% I reckon so far. <br />
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I saw an opportunity at West Mersea Lifeboat Station yesterday to make a point of highlighting the fact that women can and do also volunteer as crew.<br />
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Leafy Dumas kindly agreed to spend an hour or so making her portrait. Made with the sun blasting through a stormy sky, it's a beautiful plate and very similar in feel to the 'Old Man of the Sea' photograph made at Hunstanton in January... "<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVBklSQDkL8v9f1qix6YLIl-JsnPX7JJ9a_e8g8Xyop6adOV66Jmzjjh2JVFgGROc_krYJQH2qcS-qbgxK3qgCpTkQp5e6DBRZiAzhU4g6llt2VqFpZ0tlj8U2vuTlm0KLotnl5ePjR1sr/s1600/11050733_946592742018884_8886911901549011084_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVBklSQDkL8v9f1qix6YLIl-JsnPX7JJ9a_e8g8Xyop6adOV66Jmzjjh2JVFgGROc_krYJQH2qcS-qbgxK3qgCpTkQp5e6DBRZiAzhU4g6llt2VqFpZ0tlj8U2vuTlm0KLotnl5ePjR1sr/s1600/11050733_946592742018884_8886911901549011084_n.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Jack Lowe</td></tr>
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Feeling hugely honoured to be given such a part in this project. Thankyou so much Jack, and please forgive me for whipping half your photos from the internet to make this post. Some of the pictures are Jack's... please folk, note the credits below each pic. ...and read about Jack's mission <a href="http://lifeboatstationproject.com/">here</a>.<br />
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<br />Leafyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134691650394429549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773932536353435844.post-75845281128676621802015-03-09T21:05:00.000+00:002015-03-09T21:05:41.369+00:00Two Extraordinary ThingsTwo extraordinary things happened to me last week. Prepare yourself for a non sequitur of the utmost type. My father died and a man with an early Victorian camera took an ambrotype photograph of me at the lifeboat station. <br />
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I have got that slightly wrong -my father actually died on Feb 22nd 2015 which was the week before- but his funeral was last Monday. The lifeboat station photograph happened on the Tuesday. <br />
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I would like to write about both. The former is rather more difficult to deal with than the latter, so for now I will just show you a picture, of my father and I, from days of yore.<br />
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I will be back shortly to tackle the <a href="http://lifeboatstationproject.com/">21st century Victorian at the lifeboat station</a>.<br />
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<br />Leafyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134691650394429549noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773932536353435844.post-76417193791902987082014-11-15T17:47:00.002+00:002014-11-15T17:47:41.621+00:00Sporadic Posting and Salty DogsIt seems I am incapable of keeping this blog running at the same time as I'm living my life. I am sorry for sporadic posts. I am not giving up.<br />
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The Salty Dogs shop opened today, it's a pop-up gallery in Maldon run by <a href="http://www.denphillipsphotos.co.uk/">Den Phillips</a>. As well as Den's work, all manner of arty nauticalia from hither and thither will be for sale including a smattering from me. Go on... go and have a look! Maldon High Street, next to the Crusty Loaf. <br />
(CM9 5EP for those that like postcodes)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ACjb52R4qDPjX5kl08K4GgcSYV-S41BvDIdfso2ArOywzJjjRmmFTmDzADcyTRZCp6ptD8m1d8vptz_ZZejEDMfda4pZINHSFOmgZPwxYgRFnE_8_YZ5kEzD5RLAPkEZV7d9pTrGs6PW/s1600/salty+dogs+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ACjb52R4qDPjX5kl08K4GgcSYV-S41BvDIdfso2ArOywzJjjRmmFTmDzADcyTRZCp6ptD8m1d8vptz_ZZejEDMfda4pZINHSFOmgZPwxYgRFnE_8_YZ5kEzD5RLAPkEZV7d9pTrGs6PW/s1600/salty+dogs+sign.jpg" height="251" width="640" /></a></div>
The lovely whale sign is from Den's Salty Dogs <a href="http://www.saltydogstearooms.co.uk/">tearooms</a> in Goldhanger.<br />
<br />Leafyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134691650394429549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773932536353435844.post-34961608563422571432014-10-02T20:39:00.000+01:002014-10-02T20:41:39.502+01:00Open Studios <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjutJ2QW_SENQ-pvzcvsuq8siz22ACHUnf_fo3z9uYH_8b6McDnvBa3_tOC1NihS7FKnvS-rWeopfZipLKJs_U7x90_NP4rZExycN-V2TSjoi6vD8F35PxS3RAb2DnEY0kNhvum8xUqBNJk/s1600/OS2014brochurecover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjutJ2QW_SENQ-pvzcvsuq8siz22ACHUnf_fo3z9uYH_8b6McDnvBa3_tOC1NihS7FKnvS-rWeopfZipLKJs_U7x90_NP4rZExycN-V2TSjoi6vD8F35PxS3RAb2DnEY0kNhvum8xUqBNJk/s1600/OS2014brochurecover.jpg" /></a><br />
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Oh my goodness it's high time for a post!</div>
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I have been preparing for (and partaking in) <a href="http://www.colchesteropenstudios.org/">Colchester and Tendring Open Studios</a>; a fantastic event, run over four weekends, where scores of artists across North Essex open their doors to visitors from far and wide.</div>
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Here (above) is the lovely brochure cover (image by <a href="http://www.alisonstockmarr.com/">Alison Stockmarr</a>), and (below) the Mersea pages inside. The Mersea contingent (all within a square mile) is made up of Debbie, Mike, Liz, Vinny and I. We are all open one final time this coming weekend; Saturday and Sunday, 11am-6pm. Do come!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh21Dy6432BD9ivVatWDR5vU1dm9KslOVCBBQxQgYkMr6SNJbmVttfUyjYy2iUTHeJBgqgmdakfkRYpRismAlHvK75b53In1LwbSVNjgjaU6K_J_eR6L-hGK8ujW-4MdCs7z-7_yJD6vI-q/s1600/OS+courier+ad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh21Dy6432BD9ivVatWDR5vU1dm9KslOVCBBQxQgYkMr6SNJbmVttfUyjYy2iUTHeJBgqgmdakfkRYpRismAlHvK75b53In1LwbSVNjgjaU6K_J_eR6L-hGK8ujW-4MdCs7z-7_yJD6vI-q/s1600/OS+courier+ad.jpg" /></a>Leafyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134691650394429549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773932536353435844.post-30146668232568113662014-06-09T15:41:00.000+01:002014-06-09T15:41:40.837+01:00Leafy's Emporium<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7rV35ezhg7aGlATV9csKj01VyueNlQOcpFLoENtaWMoHne2Hm0vplVbBbk4pl_t9noU9sFG3ut7i0Lcon0ciwKqn6YWlqC8ZELNiqemw-CPS2RksIB7mABR1z07kSj65qcKG0U-aoCmh_/s1600/Foodfest+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7rV35ezhg7aGlATV9csKj01VyueNlQOcpFLoENtaWMoHne2Hm0vplVbBbk4pl_t9noU9sFG3ut7i0Lcon0ciwKqn6YWlqC8ZELNiqemw-CPS2RksIB7mABR1z07kSj65qcKG0U-aoCmh_/s1600/Foodfest+1.jpg" /></a></div>
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Belated piccies of my stall at the <a href="http://www.mersea-fdl-festival.com/">Mersea Festival</a>. It turned out I wasn't in a blue and white gazebo after all but had a top spot, shared with Vinny Stapley (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/vinnystapley?ref=stream&hc_location=stream">textile artist</a>) in the main arty tent. <br />
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Oh dear, I am so late with these pictures, I am sorry (and suffering from post festival dip). Deep in paperwork and sorting out (of sorts)... and other stuff that's making me wilt. Will try hard to perk up soon.<br />
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Thankyou so much to all you wonderful lot who made it down the little lane and came to say hi; you made my day!Leafyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134691650394429549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773932536353435844.post-23524620877504076982014-05-21T21:01:00.001+01:002014-05-22T15:09:34.774+01:00Flat Watery LandsI love our marshy wilderness. Here's a superb little film of our home waters from <a href="http://www.ifitsmedia.co.uk/">ifitsmedia</a>.<br />
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'A wide waste of debatable ground contested by sea and land, subject to incessant incursions from the former, but stubbornly maintained by the latter.' Sabine Baring Gould </div>
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Leafyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134691650394429549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773932536353435844.post-67203626520753841552014-05-14T14:00:00.000+01:002014-05-22T06:31:30.034+01:00Mersea Island Food Drink and Leisure Festival<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuhKSVCr4PHKbw4v0lBARwGe7-kki9xuBiisf4rgztdhaT_BQRvIN09G6NXsIZG01uqvBwJT2kJi8YqRXDqfpxW_j_lpJ4Qzn3v5fkZ2InWDQeRmVwf6-Qr6gvD02sZMeVcn-XmOibBNTU/s1600/le+kiosque4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuhKSVCr4PHKbw4v0lBARwGe7-kki9xuBiisf4rgztdhaT_BQRvIN09G6NXsIZG01uqvBwJT2kJi8YqRXDqfpxW_j_lpJ4Qzn3v5fkZ2InWDQeRmVwf6-Qr6gvD02sZMeVcn-XmOibBNTU/s1600/le+kiosque4.jpg" /></a></div>
May with it's darling buds, light evenings and the promise of warmer weather is my favourite month. And (wincing slightly with that sentence starter 'And') it has TWO bank holidays! Yes, TWO. In England we have two long weekends each May which feels naughtily decadent (but very welcome). The one coming up is giving me the jitters...<br />
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I've signed on the dotted line and will be standing to attention manning my stand at the Mersea Island Food Drink and Leisure Festival (24th/25th May). Four hours at the Christmas NSPCC fair exhausts me... I'm not sure I've got the stamina for two whole days of festival.<br />
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The Mersea Island '<i>food drink and leisure</i>' Festival is held each year over the second May bank holiday weekend. It's a brilliant event but has a title that grates on my sensibilities- so much so I've put the words I don't like in italics (and inverted commas). I have no sensible grounds for my prejudice and rejecting the event would be ridiculous, so I am swallowing that awful '<i>leisure</i>' word and getting on with it.<br />
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Despite its moniker the festival is a cracking event. Held in the grounds of a vineyard, bands will be playing, folk will be singing and food will be sizzling; there is always a good crowd from bee keepers to belly dancers; lots to do and see and I will be there selling art, cards, prints and all the Leafy Dumas Illustration products I can muster. If you're coming along come and seek me out.<br />
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I will be on the lower lawn, sharing a blue and white gazebo with fellow islander, neighbour and silky-seaweed-cushion-maker, Vinny Stapley. Vinny is a textile artist (there is more to her than cushions), click <a href="https://www.facebook.com/vinnystapley?ref=stream&hc_location=stream">here</a> for a peak at some of her work. Click <a href="http://www.mersea-fdl-festival.com/">here</a> for the festival website.<br />
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I am borrowing much needed trestle tables from my parents for this event. I went to measure them last night and came home with a riddle on a scrap of paper:<br />
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<i>Two inches more than two foot,</i><br />
<i>Two inches less that six foot.</i><br />
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Now, are two of those going to fit in Vinny's 3m square gazebo? (Along with both of us, lunch, spare stock, a couple of easels, a daughter or two, chair(s), and all my accompanying paraphernalia.)<br />
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<br />Leafyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134691650394429549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773932536353435844.post-69373163484895715502014-05-02T14:23:00.001+01:002014-05-02T14:23:32.557+01:00East Coast Events Guide 2014<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9tVDQ1bEu95O1RGG7Gaktwp3lWD8XICHqL35-HvlyX3rlwQurEbXKxZjl8fCIB9WI6kqcOFWZ0HbCJ05P4IKPq74QqX-CtI8dqc5vYvzktG49zi_DOAMnitEd7LMMECGvxV5-HN1cq8G6/s1600/ECEG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9tVDQ1bEu95O1RGG7Gaktwp3lWD8XICHqL35-HvlyX3rlwQurEbXKxZjl8fCIB9WI6kqcOFWZ0HbCJ05P4IKPq74QqX-CtI8dqc5vYvzktG49zi_DOAMnitEd7LMMECGvxV5-HN1cq8G6/s1600/ECEG.jpg" /></a><br />
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Feeling a little bit proud (and slightly embarrassed) to be featured in this year's East Coast Events Guide; I'm trying to forget the nonsense about pride being a sin.</div>
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The <a href="http://www.eastcoasteventsguide.co.uk/">ECEG</a>, run and compiled by Gill Moon and Tim Allen, describes itself as a 'one stop resource for all things nautical along the coasts of Essex and Suffolk'. Published annually at Easter, the guide aims to cover all marine and waterside events for the year. </div>
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As well as an article on the 'inspiring coastline' featuring artists and writers (and me), there is a piece on Mersea Island (illustrated with my Coast Road map). I am attaching the relevant pages as images below.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjjBzLZq9FSwNTe0KsnZOHnUuZCLXbKc0P1z1_LDNWn7CuTBp1Tq4oBTyl9A5iG3Fsvg6V8hqYFvaETl8YJsGRST6tbX3-pGbizZ1oDe7UlxcEISXiJ6mTCiAtE9DByTHdLUN8PA6clnL/s1600/ECEG+article.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjjBzLZq9FSwNTe0KsnZOHnUuZCLXbKc0P1z1_LDNWn7CuTBp1Tq4oBTyl9A5iG3Fsvg6V8hqYFvaETl8YJsGRST6tbX3-pGbizZ1oDe7UlxcEISXiJ6mTCiAtE9DByTHdLUN8PA6clnL/s1600/ECEG+article.jpg" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; color: black;"></span></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcI_hy3u7m4LSfF4L0De0I5MYdCpGoYwTdQAPwA3fF2LdqL-nz9zVZrQiLSPU6HgW_gRb1fC7OR9n09SRwaHH5GsAd6eGab-uMljDzlpOiLPc5MOaVl-tntW_rUD_pem52yACYMK4bv5o6/s1600/ECEG+mersea1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcI_hy3u7m4LSfF4L0De0I5MYdCpGoYwTdQAPwA3fF2LdqL-nz9zVZrQiLSPU6HgW_gRb1fC7OR9n09SRwaHH5GsAd6eGab-uMljDzlpOiLPc5MOaVl-tntW_rUD_pem52yACYMK4bv5o6/s1600/ECEG+mersea1.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9tVDQ1bEu95O1RGG7Gaktwp3lWD8XICHqL35-HvlyX3rlwQurEbXKxZjl8fCIB9WI6kqcOFWZ0HbCJ05P4IKPq74QqX-CtI8dqc5vYvzktG49zi_DOAMnitEd7LMMECGvxV5-HN1cq8G6/s1600/ECEG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a>Leafyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134691650394429549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773932536353435844.post-91904870075049398782014-04-29T20:34:00.000+01:002014-04-29T20:36:13.873+01:00East Coast Village Affairs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM6nCwSxUc8D3xoFHjAWb21cPgKmqXJgQ4UJk4w5LkCGXaXw0DZA5S1MIMnCBGgaEe-TZLUVEX6K5x5OnncmYmUoJb_O_ucdWVbMMbUIvnv1ktM-x0QlNZoNk8Q8j1VPDlbBZz3f7c2l1g/s1600/East+Mersea+Village+Shop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM6nCwSxUc8D3xoFHjAWb21cPgKmqXJgQ4UJk4w5LkCGXaXw0DZA5S1MIMnCBGgaEe-TZLUVEX6K5x5OnncmYmUoJb_O_ucdWVbMMbUIvnv1ktM-x0QlNZoNk8Q8j1VPDlbBZz3f7c2l1g/s1600/East+Mersea+Village+Shop.jpg" /></a></div>
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I ventured East today.<br />
Heather (Haward of <a href="http://www.richardhawardsoysters.co.uk/companyshedshed.html">Company Shed</a> fame) is opening the old village shop next to Mehalah's (after a bit of a spruce up). There will be a new sign and a cheese counter and some Leafy pictures and cards, and I am not sure what else; I will report back with a full line up. Opening Monday.Leafyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134691650394429549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773932536353435844.post-2999515190898511272014-04-26T13:28:00.000+01:002014-04-26T13:28:02.233+01:00Here and There<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Lately at Waldringfield (windy Waldy), and springtime blossom at Leafy HQ...</div>
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Leafyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134691650394429549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773932536353435844.post-27493350094182523602014-04-20T07:06:00.000+01:002014-04-20T07:06:01.030+01:00After the Flood<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpdJasO4oskgRU07R5wLNvmE5bP1fEKsFn4aXNYEyPKt4PS5bZvR99DXkOL1iiZ4qx4K69wHMxNSsWWE0UdxwM09fcegmKq224ojp258aevJ916gnNcD0dOD6qWt1xA5BP21XW3tt_UgF/s1600/after+the+flood+low-res.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpdJasO4oskgRU07R5wLNvmE5bP1fEKsFn4aXNYEyPKt4PS5bZvR99DXkOL1iiZ4qx4K69wHMxNSsWWE0UdxwM09fcegmKq224ojp258aevJ916gnNcD0dOD6qWt1xA5BP21XW3tt_UgF/s1600/after+the+flood+low-res.jpg" title="Thanks to Claudia Myatt for her poster." /></a></div>
Four months after the <a href="http://www.leafydumas.blogspot.co.uk/2014/02/promised-pictures.html">storm surge</a>, Art on the Quay is dry again and re-opening.<br />
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Art on the Quay is a working studio/gallery in a little boatyard next to a lovely pub in a pretty village on the River Deben. For an old-fashioned English day out, the place could hardly be more perfect.<br />
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Art on the Quay is stuffed to the gunwales with work by <a href="http://www.claudiamyatt.co.uk/">Claudia Myatt</a> (the artist in residence -who you are likely to meet if you visit). There is also a smattering of my work besmirching the corners. Do go and look!<br />
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Opening Easter weekend and all summer long.<br />
Art on the Quay, Waldringfield Boatyard, Suffolk, IP12 4QZ<br />
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Poster by Claudia Myatt.Leafyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134691650394429549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773932536353435844.post-9856301090913514972014-04-13T18:43:00.000+01:002014-04-13T18:43:11.275+01:00Liming<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Whitening wooden frames with liming wax.Leafyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134691650394429549noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773932536353435844.post-39015437461084175542014-04-12T13:13:00.000+01:002014-04-12T13:13:10.724+01:00Fire in the Boatyard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Big drama last Thursday; fire in the boatyard. It was about 4am, a few loud explosions (I leapt out of bed) and the air thick with the horrible smell of burning fibreglass. The smell lingered all day. Gazette report <a href="http://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/11139173.Boats_damaged_in_blaze/">here</a>.Leafyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134691650394429549noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2773932536353435844.post-73039820115755399562014-03-30T14:29:00.000+01:002014-03-30T14:29:56.578+01:00Mothering Sunday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's Mothering Sunday in the UK today. The daffodils are out and the sun is trying to shine. Wishing my mum and all the mums everywhere a happy day.<br />
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<br />Leafyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02134691650394429549noreply@blogger.com1