My yen to read more of E. Arnot Robertson’s work came about after reading the delightful Thames Portrait, about a trip down river from the source to the sea. It was written by Eileen and illustrated by her husband Henry E. Turner.
Eileen had written many novels by this time. Her husband, Henry, was the General Secretary of a large print union – both were passionate sailors and based themselves at Pin Mill for some years, amongst other places.
Sadly, Eileen committed suicide five months after the accidental drowning of Henry in a boating accident during 1961 … a sad end to both of their lives, surely.
As the year has progressed my list of books on my ‘want’ list grew. At some point I noticed the list had ‘disappeared’ – purloined by Christobel!
We sailed away for a week of pottering encompassing my 66th birthday period – Christobel having secreted away ‘stuff’ for my day.
Our journeyings, in small casual steps took us eventually into Faversham. I had taken the precaution of booking a berth at the Iron Wharf (they like notice in any case) for we found that Swale Marina up Conyer Creek was still closed to visitors.
The weather had been glorious since before the end of May (Boy didn’t we have a God-awful May…) and I awoke on my 66th year to Christobel singing birthday ditties…
Early in the following proceedings two books came out of a rather full gift bag.
A ‘puzzle’ book from my sister alongside a half dozen ales from Wadworths! The book is all about the shipping forecast and I shall enjoy reading through and sorting out the puzzle…
The other, The Boat They Laughed At, is a recent book written by Max Liberson, coastal and ocean sailor, who currently owns Dick Durham’s old yacht, Wendy May.
Wendy May is a 25ft gaff cutter designed by Maurice Griffiths. She was built in 1936 by Williams & Parkinson, Deganwy, North Wales for Lt. Comdr. R G Wynne-Edwards R N of Aberdovey. Dick purchased her some ten years ago and sold her to Max when he had the opportunity to purchase Betty II.
Max sailed Wendy May away to Wales after a move north to the Birmingham area.
Max has led an interesting life and I am dying to find out more. This book is mainly about one particular boat. Its finding and Max’s assistance in renovating and preparing for an ocean voyage…
Both have been left aboard Whimbrel for my summer reading.
Pile two contained a book penned by the inimitable Dick Durham – Turnip Road. This tells of his ‘dropping out’ and making a pilgrimage in the footsteps of many, hippie types mainly, to the east.
It is a period of Dick’s life I know little about, having known him since he was around fourteen and myself a tad younger!
Dick was mate aboard the engineless spritsail barge Cambria when in ownership of Bob Roberts from August 1969 having just left school until October 1970 when the Cambria carried her last cargo and went into the hands of the National Historic Ship Collection (which was all but the death of her).
Dick tells me that Turnip Road covers the period of his life from April to November 1973. A period towards the end of the hippie trail life experience…
Then, one after another, I pulled out three books by E. Arnot Robertson.
One, Ordinary Families, is about growing up in and around Pin Mill in Suffolk. It was place well known by the two sailors…
The other two, Cullum and Four Frightened People, well, I fancied a challenge!
For more info on E. Arnot Robertson see: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E._Arnot_Robertson