I am a left-handed Cornishman living on the coast of South Devon. From the window I look across the water to Shaldon and the entrance to Teignmouth harbour, and south along the coast to Babbacombe and Hope’s Nose.
I began this blog in 2006 because I bought a small yacht called a Folksong. I didn’t know of any other Folksong – (other than the singing variety), so I thought this would be a way of finding out more. It was and is. The yacht is called Blue Mistress. I sail out of Plymouth.
My interests are mainly nautical, focussing on single-handed sailing and the coasts and harbours of the Westcountry. I also enjoy maritime history with specific interests in the Westcountry trading ketches as well as inshore craft worldwide, including the fishing boats of the Eastern Mediterranean.
Having finished a forty-year career in December 2013, I am no longer contained by the tight discipline of that career and I find myself exploring a wider, less structured world. In these unfamiliar surroundings, I am ‘edging forward‘, stretching the old boundaries, enjoying the freedom to wander.
Over a lifetime, I got many things right and I made plenty of mistakes – more than I care to remember. I hope I have learnt from that experience. Now I am older, this continues at a new level – some things go right, other things wrong . . . and I am still learning. I am finding ways to write about this too – hence the reworked website.
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Regarding the title: My earliest memory is of looking out to sea from Steeple Point in North Cornwall. Steeple Point is where it all began for me. “Not all who wander are lost” is a quote from JRR Tolkien.
Hello Bill,
I am thrilled to discover a picture of my Great grandfather’s boat in your collection. If you get in touch via email, I can give you more information.
Hi Bill,
I have just discovered your blog, by chance in search for information about folkboat-types similar to mine.
I wanted to tell you how much I am enjoying the beauty of texts and images, and admiring the clarity and coherence of purpose.
I wish best luck in that “streching the boundaries”, and hope to come back here often.
Pablo de Castro
http://www.mardepormedio.es
Hi Bill,
I have just discovered your blog, by chance in search for information about folkboat-types similar to mine.
I wanted to tell you how much I am enjoying the beauty of texts and images, and admiring the clarity and coherence of purpose.
I wish you best luck in that “streching the boundaries”, and hope to come back here often.
Pablo de Castro
http://www.mardepormedio.es
Hi Bill – excellent blog – is there a way of getting in touch directly?
Hello Bill. Having discovered your website/blog whilst doing a little family research, I realised that you and I are related. Our great grandfathers were brothers and both Captained the Ceres at different times. My mother was a Petherick and we used to visit Bude frequently. We do have some memorabilia relating to the Ceres. Would be pleased if you could get in touch some time! June