Afloat & Ashore
A Ropewalk Shows the Shore Work Behind a Sailing Ship
A tall ship draws the eye upward. A ropewalk invites a different movement: following the long space in which part of its equipment was made. That change of…
Explore the almanac
Category: Afloat & Ashore
Personal notebooks, coastal reading and time spent around boats.
Afloat & Ashore
The Reverse of a Maritime Postcard Can Change Its Story
The harbour on the front of a postcard may seem to explain the object. Turn it over, where permitted, and a different story can appear: who sent it, what…
Afloat & Ashore
When a Sailing Poster Promises Adventure, Look at What It Leaves Outside the Frame
A sailing poster can make a voyage feel inviting long before it tells you anything practical. A bright horizon, a small crew and a sweeping sail create an…
Afloat & Ashore
A Ship in a Bottle Rewards a Slow Look from Three Angles
Before trying to solve how a ship entered its bottle, spend a moment noticing what the miniature maker chose to show. The glass, base and vessel form one…
Afloat & Ashore
A Model Yacht Makes More Sense When You Read Its Scale
A model yacht can make a hull shape easier to study, but the display case also changes our sense of size. Before describing it as a small boat, find the…
Afloat & Ashore
Ask a Sailor About One Journey Before Asking About a Lifetime
An informal conversation about sailing often opens with a huge question: what was your most memorable voyage? A smaller starting point can bring out details…
Afloat & Ashore
A Harbour Soundscape Makes a Different Kind of Sailing Note
Try a short listening exercise from a permitted shore location and describe harbour sounds without inventing their source or significance.
Afloat & Ashore
A Museum Boat Label Deserves a Date of Its Own
Distinguish a boat’s construction date, a later restoration and the museum label you are reading when making notes about maritime history.