Ways of Seeing (QPR in Cornwall?)

To Morvah Schoolhouse this afternoon to check out new work by snapper and surfer Russ Pierre and his wife, a good lady of the surf herself, Jill. I enjoyed Russ's images, especially, given the 'once a skater, always a skater' mantra that has ruled my life probably more than its counterpoint ('once a lawyer, always a lawyer'), that of Camborne's venerable bowl. It brought back memories, not of skating Camborne (by the time I'd moved here, some fours years ago now, I was into carving; ramps and bowls were long a thing of the past), but of a similar structure near the University of East Anglia which I used to shred a quarter of a century ago. Back then, the local skaters said I skated it as if I were a surfer, a pleasing compliment but a curious one, for the truth was that although my mates and I had had a few sessions at Croyde and Saunton by then, I was still much more of a windsurfer than a surfer. Needless to say, when the locals vouchsafed this commendation, I slashed a couple of gnarly frontside grinds and said "Dudes, it's gratifying that you perceive my humble stylistic influences but, if I ever came to write this on a blog at some stage in the future, it would be awful if I did not tell you the truth and admit that, although my mates and I have had a few clean waves in North Devon, I remain more of a windsurfer than a surfer."

Yes, that's what I said, but even then, blessed I wasn't by the dubious gift of prophecy, I had no idea that I would one day wander into Morvah Schoolhouse and, as well as admiring Russ's photographs, enjoy Jill's multi-media surf-influenced, resin and stringer replete abstracts, works with which two other artists, my wife Karen and Ges Wilson, were also very taken. If you get a chance, check out Russ and Jill's work, which is on show as part of an exhibition entitled 'Ways of Seeing' until 25 June.

Talking of ways of seeing, John Berger knew how to take a glance at things. Where is he now and what is he looking at? We cannot know but, back in the realm of certainty, I can report that my first week as Acting Editor of Cornwall Today went very well. I have a feeling I'm going to enjoy this job and I've also managed to find time to keep writing the novel, so that's good (for me, if no one else). 

There are, though, some issues in my life. One is having a teenage son. Yes, the cliches are true. Another is having a pre-teenage son. Again, whoever wrote the textbook knew a thing or two. I love them to bits but my word, they can be testing - and the tests come thick and fast at their ages. I may yet fail them (the tests, that is, the tests) but in the meantime, here are two extremely positive things:

1. Having not surfed for 10 days, and being heartened by the comments posted here and relayed to me via e-mail or in person, I feel reasonably fit and strong and ready to paddle out one evening this week, after work, surf permitting.

2. Bodmin Town v QPR, Weds 14 July. QPR in Cornwall! Does it get better than this?!

(Er, yes. Ed.)

Nice image of one of Mike Lay, one of the young talents at Sennen and Gwenver, courtesy of Russ Pierre.

Comments

[CristinaRichard]

I propose not to hold off until you get enough money to order goods! You should get the home loans or just commercial loan and feel yourself fine

[Neil Watson]

Alex,

Maybe you weren't "blessed by the dubious gift of prohecy" in your callow youth at the U.E.A, but as regards your surfing, I'll tell you who was. To paraphrase the immortal Arnold - "You'll be back!"

Congratulations on the magazine gig. When you start your inevitable suring column, put a link on here.

[Neil Watson]

Alex,

As an editor, you knew that should have read "surfing column". Hope you saw the cover of yesterday's Sunday Times Culture section - "heart and sole" indeed!

[Moley]

Bodmin Town 3 QPR 0

[Sand Sock Girl]

Goodluck on your new gig, you can make it. I will look forward to it. Please share the link. I'm excited for you!

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