Round Bay

The discontinuity in this account has been the result of a couple of days with a very good friend in the New Forest wher although many good things – food, drink, laughing and talking – were abundant, electronic facilities were not among them. Come to think of it, the rest are far more important any day!

So we weft Fethiye on a beautiful morning, again going our separate ways after a lunch stop.

Our friends were about to embark on the Eastern Mediterranean Yacht Rally (EMYR) and needed fuel and water in Gocek, so we had a really satisfying sail – all one tack- the several miles to Round Bay where we met up again at the end of the afternoon.

 

Fethiye again

This time we didn’t have the luxurious Classic Yacht Marina, but had to drop our anchor. It took us several attempts to be sure we’d got it right, since there were a lot of boats out there. The hideous one like an upside-down coal skuttle was still moored, too.

The forest of white masts stood out against the hills. and there was a beautiful Dark Blue two–masted yawl (maybe) at anchor near us.

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We had a fascinating and entertaining evening meal. Our friends to us to the fishmarket, where you buy wahtever fish takes your fancy. Your choice is then taken to one of many restaurants around the covered market to be cooked for you. Delicious and colouful. We’d already run the gamut of the spice and Turkich delight stalls on the way there I’m sure there’s a painting or several in here:

In the morning, whcich dawned breathtakingly beautiful, the forest of masts was dark against the misty mountains. I did a quick drawing of Samira, the gorgeous boat, before they set sail:

I took rather a good photo, too, which I’ve used along with the sketch, to work on a painting. Not satisfied (what’s new?) but here goes:.

Karacoeren – just passing by

We were bound for Fethiye again for Tuesday night. Our friends wanted to go to the market there. We decided to take it gently, and take another trip to Karacoeren on the way, as being one of our favourite places. Only just got into the bay to drop our hook when we were spotted by the Lead Crew (Monday night is Karacoeren for the Flotilla). We greeted each other like long lost friends, I made coffee, and we talked about Old Times (as in, last week).

No new drawing time, but a great opportunity for another bit of picture recycling. Here’s one I did three years earlier:

Turkish Delights – Second Monday

One day late, we got to Coldwater bay. The plan had been to walk up to the deserted village on the hill. It was abandoned in  1923 by the Greek population, somewhat encouraged by the Turkish forces, but apparently at lot of it still stands.I have never been there although the Skipper had. But as he was increasingly resembling Long John Silver (minus parrot) hopping about on one leg, it didn’t seem a sensible project.

Wickedly, in the evening, I got a Magnum from the ice-cream boat:

 

So this used up part of the drawing hour. Then we were invited to partake of our friend’s devastating pink gins …

In the morning we had to move relatively early to get out of the way of the day boats – so no drawing!

Meanwhile back at the ranch, however, I’m starting to catch up with myself on the painting front, so I’m going to cheat with a fresh-off-the easel picture of a little homestead at the back of 22 Fathom Cove

 

Turkish delights – Wall Bay, Wednesday

Free sailing day always prompts a great deal of chart searching and head scratching as you plan your very own voyage.

We decided to revisit Wall Bay which was one of the first places we went to on our first trip to Turkey. On that occasion the flottilla engineer put his leg through the jetty. It seemed a bit more robust this time, especially by Turkish standards.

I remembered the little walled terraces which as usual someone had painted white years ago, punctuating the olive trees, and roamed over by goats with bells round their necks.This was one of those times that I really didn’t get much done. I also tried, unsuccessfully, to create a mid-tone shadow by rubbing a wet finger over the ink, hence the smudges.

What attracted me was the way some tree trunks were black against the light vegetation, and others were white against dark:

This is the photo I took to aid the memory and fill in the bits I didn’t have time for:And I can’t resist this little chap giving a masterclass in camouflage:

Croatian creations

Yes, this happened several months ago, but being confined to barracks during Somerset Art Weeks does allow time for a lot of keyboard catching up. As one visitor remarked a couple of years ago : ‘ you expect to see artists painting, but they’re all sitting at their computers…’

So thanks to the scanner Wizard ( not a Microsoft in vention but an actual person, my husband Peter) I can now publish some of my onboard Croatian creations:

Dubrovnik Marina, just arrived

 

 

Kabac and the Olive Mill

Lumbarda

There are more where these come from…

New work on the wall

Somerset Art Weeks 2013 is fast approaching for the 100 or so venues that will participate in what Kevin McCloud of Grand Designs calls ‘ a much-loved and annual event’.

However for the four of us Spring Farm Arts participators it’s approaching even faster! Not because we’re in some kind of alternatively-timed universe but because we made a cock-up in our current leaflet and we advertise ourselves as starteing on September 15th, where the rest of the county starts on 21st September.

So, making a virtue out of necessity, we launch on Sunday next with an Arty Tea Party, with cake, tea if you must but obviously something more alcoholic too.

Now I know daughter Nancy Farmer is coping with two exhibitions at once so I guess I’d better have a stab at putting some of my new for 2013 artwork onscreen.

I’m starting with one of my favourite topics – boats: some inspired by nearby scenes, others are from further afield (asea?)

A palette of boats, low tide, Lyme Regis

In the harbour, high tide, Lyme Regis

The town quay, early morning, Korcula, Croatia

Sail, sea and sky