Author Archives for Eggman
Tangled Up and Blue
The northern edges of the sinewy outer bank I call Snake Island, were rich in strands of unravelled polyester rope of many bright colours, twisted around the branches of tamarisk bushes and out across the river bed; little reminders of our poor and tangled relationship with all things natural. All being well, the pink flush of the tamarisk blossom will add its own distinctive hue to the scene in just a few weeks time.
Life & Death
The blackthorn thicket is filled with thousands of tiny buds which will soon produce cascades of bright flowers to whiten the wintery greyness surrounding the Egg. These blooms are thought to symbolise both life and death together, as they appear on the tree before any leaves; symbolising both an ending (of winter) and a new beginning (of spring).
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Sunset Yellow
A discarded bucket caught my eye when it was lit up in the light of the setting sun this evening; a yellow plastic counterpoint to the warmth of the sun against my exposed face and hands. For the first time in weeks of wet and windy weather, I felt I could take off my heavy coat.
Sea Bass
At seven thirty this morning a sea bass arrived on the riverside. Its gills were gouged and it looks like he wriggled off someone’s line. A meal for the birds now.
Infusion (Gorse Flowers)
A handful of gorse flowers were painfully picked from the parish bush, then washed and dried. Rehydrating a few flowers with boiling water made a tea for breakfast. It has a bitter aftertaste with some sweet notes, but I could not detect the accents of cocoanut that some have written about.
Flood Tide
The moon became full at midnight last night as the Environment Agency issued 24 severe flood warnings across the country. A high tide of 3.5m was predicted for 22.30 (it stays high for about three hours here). However, river levels were much higher because of the continuing heavy rain and a 50mph gale from the south west. The embankment to which the Egg is moored submerged and the outer bank was well underwater. The whole scene would have inspired my namesake JMW Turner to tie himself to the WIFI arial to better observe the power of nature.
Three States of the Flood Tide. Individual frames from time-lapse monitor ‘Beadle2’ 14.2.14
Percolation
Leaks to the shell are a regular recurrence. Over the bed (recently stopped), through the closed doors and in through the timbers of the bow where it collects in the shower tray are regular aspects of daily life. In this process of natural percolation the wood surrenders its colour.
Of Gorse
Yellow gorse flowers were a cheering splash of colour on a rare dry evening, given a warm tint by the setting sun as the moon rose up behind. Of course gorse is a common plant up on the heathland of the New Forest, but I had not expected to find it so close to the sodden marsh as it prefers well drained environments. It is a combustable plant and Furze (as locals know it) used to be collected for the domestic hearth. I shall be watching out for the many spiders and caterpillars that regard it as home and may pay my own homage by making wine from its flowers.
Afloat
Yet another storm from the south west appeared to be gathering from around eight this morning, but the Egg rides the waves well in its sheltered bay. High spring tides can almost clear the protecting embankment however (as can be seen from the layered flotsam close to its top) and the Egg is more exposed to wintry broadsides that etch its cedar walls.
The Exbury Egg 