New Prints, new page, good start!
Mexico / Resort
I was going to cut’n’paste some text from my recent blog posts, and upload a selection of photographs from the holiday in Mexico to start this months bulletin. Unnecessary! The blog is easily found and there is a new page, including text, for the Mexico/Resort visit. It can be found from the Gotta Getaway | Travel list of destinations.
However, I want to post the photo (below). The highly armed Mexican Marine patrols always demanded a second look. It was a challenge to point a camera toward them, and it was uncertain of what the laws are in doing so. Plus of course, the obvious intimidation of being in close proximity to powerful firearms dampens the willingness to get in someone’s grill. The lens on my Fujifilm X100F is fixed at a fairly wide 23mm, so it is essential to get close, with no option to be off in the distance, invisible to the fingers on triggers.
It is a curious juxtaposition to relax in the shadow of a masked gunman.
While enjoying the idea of contrast, I like these two shots together. Aeroplanes do a good job of changing one’s surroundings.
Back Home
It goes both ways!
While melting into a sun lounger, the body relaxes and muscles detangle under the warmth of the sun. A short distance away, the sound of the Caribbean Sea lapping onto the shoreline, soothes like a comforting whisper.
The flight attendant informs passengers after landing at Gatwick, that the outside temperature is 9° and the skies overcast. Involuntarily the body starts to contract and hunch in preparation for the cold. The mind stops daydreaming and redirects thoughts to minimising time spent outside, the shortest route to the carpark, or train station, especially if it’s raining.
Winter clothes are put on while waiting for luggage by the carousel. The tan is already fading, a quick look beneath your watch-strap reassures you have been away and in the sun. Waterproof jackets are put on over the new layers in anticipation of a necessary dash, pushing the baggage trolley at speed, like an icebreaker over the carpark tarmac.
Despite the weather being wet and windy since returning, there have been one or two pleasant mornings that suggests the dial is being turned toward springtime.
Moving Water
Two days of good surf, helped the transition to being back home. Newquay is undoubtedly a surf town, arguably its main identity nationwide – hopefully ahead of stag & hen troops and other piss-up parties. This idea is bolstered by a run of good surf, and despite the temperature and short hours of light, there are plenty of surfers, kooks and weekend warriors who visit if the forecast looks promising.
And so it was on the weekend we got back into town.
Nice to see the ocean showing plenty of movement. After a couple of weeks by the Caribbean Sea, were it seems the only chance of waves is if the wind howls onshore, it was exhilarating to see some solid swell.
Surfboards
It has been a slow start to the year with surfboards. It’ll change, but until then I have taken some photos from around the factory while paint drys. That said, I did do a turtle design that was sent in, also made a little reel to get the cogs turning.
Two New Prints
In October last year I saw my friend Rem, who had just started his new business venture. ‘REM’S CAFF’ No Nonsense Caffeine & Brunch.
I offered to get him some artwork on the walls. Well, life having its inescapable and randomly served realities, all but the essential spinning plates were left to smash, other matters took precedence.
But, time has passed and the year has changed. So with recharged batteries from the holiday, I tucked in on the artwork for Remmick. Two new fine art prints, both limited edition print runs of 20, both with 20% of sales going to Cornwall Air Ambulance.
They can be seen on a page dedicated to them, as well as being purchased via the on-line shop. It’s been a good start!
GRIND
FLYING
Until next time, take care.
