Category: Events

Events such as historical events, races, exhibitions, processions, regattas and so on.

Ginny’s Christmas list – reviews of books we would have liked, and some we would not

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Ginny Jones of Martha’s Vineyard has suggested I share her Annual Christmas list – a review of books she’s read this year, and a couple of other items she believes we could all benefit from knowing about. Well, it may be too late for Christmas, but maybe one or two can be found in time for the sailing season and those peaceful times when we’re waiting for the tide.

I should explain that Ginny is a seriously well-seasoned sailor, and through her company Firefox Consulting offers surveying and other services on and around Martha’s Vineyard. Most of the books she lists are likely to be available via www.amazon.com, www.amazon.co.uk or ABE Books.

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‘My pile of maritime books for review this year contains an eclectic mix of practical and reference titles, books of photographs, cruising tales, maritime history, and some classics from the Golden Age of yachting. The criteria for a place on the pile, and on the list, is that the book must have a narrative which is engaging, with a bit of a spark and humour, it must have lasting interest and it has to have some real value as a source of information. Space on my library shelves is limited, so acquisitions are rigorously vetted and only rarely does the list include a book that I wouldn’t wish to own. Further, it will be a cold day in the Nether Regions before I ever step on a racing sail boat again so there will only be an occasional reference to books about round the world sail boat races and other endurance challenges. Here you will find books that provide pleasure and a different perspective during the winter months to the armchair sailor. And just as a lagniappe I’ve thrown in a few tools that will make the winter boat “to do” list go more smoothly. [A lagniappe is a bonus, such as the 13th bun in a baker’s dozen – ed. ]

‘On The Wind – The marine photography of Norman Fortier should be on everyone’s must-have list this year, and it will be a wonderful gift for anyone who Continue reading “Ginny’s Christmas list – reviews of books we would have liked, and some we would not”

Rediscovered 100-year old photographs of the Cornish coast on show

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Rediscovered 100-year old photographs of the Cornish coast on show

Mevagissey 100 years ago

Recently discovered early 20th century photographs of popular Cornish scenes are now on show in a temporary exhibition at the National Maritime Museum Cornwall.

The photos of Cornish coastal locations were rescued from a recent house clearance in Kent. Very little is known about their origin, but they are believed to date from about 1912; also, as the pictures had no labels, the owner has researched each location with the help of local people.

Exhibition co-ordinator Milly Newman commented: ‘This has been a real detective’s job trying to locate where these pictures were taken. A lot of the images were taken from the water and one of our volunteers, David Wilson, has been out combing the shores of the Carrick Roads in his boat to find them.’

Not all the locations have been identified, but where they have been have been found, visitors to the show will be given recent images and challenged to match the old with the new.

Rescued Photographs of Old Cornwall will be on show in the Maritime Museum’s temporary exhibition gallery until the end of March.

National Maritime Museum Cornwall

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Phil Rhodes 45-foot centreboard yacht Undina cruising and racing on British TV

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It’s difficult to believe, but there has been even more good boating telly on our screens this week.

Although it featured three comedians well known in the UK, the star of Three Men in Another Boat is Undina, a 45ft centreboard sloop designed by Phil Rhodes, built in Germany in 1953 and owned by British comedian and TV presenter Griff Rhys Jones.

Somehow, when I recently read Jones’ story of a summer’s sailing with friends and family To the Baltic with Bob, I sadly missed the point that his boat Undina was so special. Perhaps I was put off the scent by Jones’ account of being suddenly smitten with lust for another boat he came across in some Baltic port – but having seen Undina on TV I find it difficult to imagine how he could feel that way.

The two-part reality TV show following a voyage from London to Cowes and a race against a very similar yacht, Josephine, is available from the BBC’s new iPlayer, though I’ve heard it doesn’t work if you’re outside the UK.

Here’s some further info on Undina from the British Classic Yacht Club and from Philip Rhodes Classic Sailboat Designs.

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