Tag River Torridge

Cycling into the storm.

Al Brown Artist. Leave a comment

Moving swiftly on a painting entitled ‘Cycling into the storm’ 600 x 600mm acrylic on panel. This painting is of the many beach huts that line the Tarka Trail at Instow. I was cycling on the Trail near the Cricket Club when a massive summer storm swept up the River Torridge towards me, quickly I took an image on my phone and this was the result. I remember the cyclist speeding by trying to get to shelter before the rain came. On the left you can see the secure boundary fence of the Instow Arm Camp and just out of frame to the right the old railway crossroad that leads down the Instow Beach.

From Bideford to Appledore.

Al Brown Artist. Leave a comment

Well it’s a warm sunny day so the three and a three and a half mile walk from Bideford to Appledore was in order. You join the coast path just past the skateboard park at the end of Bideford Park and follow the coast path acorn signs. The path meanders up and down through woods with tantalising glimpses of the River, at one point there are a number of WW2 tank traps to negotiate. It is rather nice to pass the impressive array of private houses and cottages with fabulous gardens and views out over the river. Finally you descend to the waterfront and walk past an impressive boat’s graveyard just beside the large Appledore dry dock now owned by Harland & wolff. You then walk around the dock and follow the road, through cottages and fish markets into Appledore.

In Appledore there are a number of great places to eat but after some deliberation we decided to have some wonderful Hocking’s Ice Creams in chocolate waffle cones and look out across the river towards Instow. Appledore is a hub for local music, arts and sailing and you can spend hours investigating the arty shops in the narrow alleys.

The Cannis Aground.

Al Brown Artist. Leave a comment

Another visitation to The Cannis, a boat I painted during the summer of 2020 during partial lockdown. It has left it’s secluded mooring and is now on the other side of the River Torridge in North Devon. I was driving past and just couldn’t resist taking some pictures of it’s new setting. After walking across the wet estuary grass I had to jump a muddy tidal gap to make it to the boat. This I managed and took the pictures below, although I have played with them. I just love the dereliction of this scene so perhaps another painting for the future!

Cannis Aground.

Al Brown Artist. Leave a comment

A large acrylic painting on gesso primed 900 x 460mm board! This is of the old Tug / Service Vessel built in 1953. It is now lying at rest in a little inlet on the River Torridge near Appledore Shipyard in North Devon. I was taken with this image on a walk along the coast from Bideford to Westward Ho with all the rubbish and feeling of dereliction. In a dimly lit inlet this boat appears quite striking in the bright spring sunshine reflecting on the creamy white paintwork. After discussions with locals there appears controversy with regard it’s presence! Al

https://www.nationalhistoricships.org.uk/register/3004/cannis