BOATS
and how I use them
Compass Point - tide's out.
I'm sure you're aware that as well as designing gardens and writing crime novels I also model narrow gauge railways. I have built a number of layouts over the last 30 years or so and nearly always incorporate boats.
Castle Quay - layout in a wine box.
My love affair with boats and the water started when I began sailing dinghies at the age of about 12. Since then my passion has never gone away. I like things to be correct so I put as much time and effort into getting the details of the boats correct as I do into modelling trains and landscape.
Compass Point - tractor and boat-launching trailer
Not only in getting the details of the boats correct but of all things to do with them, especially in making sure they are correctly tied up and moored.
Crab boat - based one one moored in Rye Harbour
Boats also play an important role in my books as they are set close to the coast in Sussex. The one I'm currently working on - and coming to end of writing - involves a boat, a bit further away, on the Medway. I've had to dig deep into my experiences to write about a boat getting caught in a strong tidal current, when it's not suited for that type of water.
Sabots Wharf - a layout in a shoebox
You'll have to wait a little longer to find out what happens, but in case you haven't read the previous escapades of DI Sonny Russell and his faithful hound, Aggie, details of the titles can be found to the right of this blog. The books are available in paperback and kindle.
Nottery Quay - based on the Strand in Rye
