Headlands

Lizard Point

Many  years  ago whilst taking part in the Wolf Rock yacht race, (Plymouth - Wolf  Rock - Plymouth)  the skipper was contemplating the possibility of a short cut by rock  hopping through  the sea area south of the Lizard, when a loud, audible, vocal warning was issued by the coast guard to us ' that we were standing into danger !'

Thus advised it was decided that we would opt for the safer circumnavigation on route to the western approaches

Since then I've sailed by well clear to seaward  on a number of occasions and walked the coastal pathway a few times, viewing the breaking waters from north and south. The experiences confirmed in my mind that it would be a suitable topic to include in my sailing portfolio of art-work.

 Rame Head

A distinctive,  prominent  headland a few miles to the west of Plymouth crowned with an old chapel to remind the wary sailor to offer up a short prayer for safe passage when on his rolling way.

When approached from the South -West  there are often  wind against tide over-falls stretching out for a mile or more from the rocky shore. Take heed and leave well clear.

Delamore House art festival May 2014

Delamore House annual art exhibition was held throughout the month of May and was a delightful venue to show some of my work. The garden area proffers a open  relaxed setting to view a range of sculpture and ceramic forms. The interior is a temporary home to a collection of paintings ,prints and smaller ceramics.

Take a stroll through this photographic record  to enjoy the ambiance and flavour of the occasion.

Pleased to say that one of my paintings sold at the exhibition.

'Breakwater Eastern Entrance'

For more about these paintings, click on this link

http://roymeldrum.blogspot.co.uk/2014/04/cremyll-mark-just-up-from-mouth-of.html

Plymouth navigation marks

Cremyll Mark just up from the mouth of the River Tamar and close by to the Mount Edgecombe country park is where the tidal ebb and flood are at at its strongest. Sailing close to the mark you can get a clear sense of the power of the rushing tide as it either holds you in its grasp or whisks you along its flowing path. Often surrounded by whirling pools of water it is not a place to be at the currents' mercy.

The eastern entrance to Plymouth Sound negotiated by the end of the breakwater can look quite bleak at times. 12 tall steps holding a high pole surmounted by a marooned, metal, shelter sphere to remind the passing sailor that they could stay out of the grasp of a stormy high tide if ship-wrecked but it would still be extremely cold and wet. Beware of hypothermia !

A glowing red light warns the mariner to leave good clearance to port, easily lost in the multitude of flashing buoys and shore lights on a night passage.