In Kenneth Grahame's Edwardian era children's book WIND IN THE WILLOWS,
published in 1908, illustrated by Ernest H. Shepherd ~~~ Mole and Rat are rowing
up the canal in Rat's boat. They are discussing nautical things and life in general
when Rat is heard to utter ~~~
"Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing - absolutely
nothing - half so much worth doing as simply messing about
in boats."
I've messed about in boats a lot!
From ocean going cruise ships to kayaks.
From river boats to ferries.
From ice breaking expedition ships to rubber Zodiac boats.
I've loved them all and in fact am getting ready to travel on
another in early May - more on that trip later.
So why the very ordinary, somewhat plain wooden rowboat
for today's Scribble Picnic entry?
Well this could almost be one of the very first boats I ever sailed
on as a child. Family friends took me mackerel fishing along the coast on
a sunny English summer afternoon, long, long ago!
I still remember it to this day, and when I noticed this similar rowboat
anchored in the calm harbor on a chilly December day last year while
visiting home, so many memories came flooding back.
I turned my photo into a sketch - added color with watercolor pencils.
our little group of talented artists will be sharing at the Scribble Picnic.
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