I was looking through my art files today thinking about what to paint next, and found this lovely photo of sailing in England. I believe I took this photo in Burnham on Crouch, on one of our first visits there together after we were married. Burnham is a small village on the East Coast of England not too far from London where MBB (My Beloved Brit) sailed many a race on the Crouch River.

This year’s sailing season is coming to an end, but the memories linger on.

A Wet Sheet and a Flowing Sea

 A wet sheet and a flowing sea,

A wind that follows fast,

And fills the white and rustling sail,

And bends the gallant mast—

And bends the gallant mast, my boys,

While, like the eagle free,

Away the good ship flies, and leaves

Old England on the lee.

“O for a soft and gentle mind!’

I heard a fair one cry;

But give to me the snoring breeze

And white waves heaving high–

And white waves heaving high, my boys,

The good ship tight and free;

The world of waters is our home,

And merry men are we.

There’s tempest in yon horned moon,

And lightning in yon cloud;

And hard the music, mariners!

The wind is piping loud–

The wind is piping loud, my boys,

The lightning flashing free;

While the hollow oak our palace is,

Our heritage the sea.

Allan Cunningham