Sunday 17th October

‘I struck my knuckle on a thorle pin and mis-shaped to this day’.
‘Sail was made with the skipper getting on one mitton, the other hand which held the sheet was badly cut and chafed’. (1881 Gloup Disaster)

Having started to make some work about hands, and collecting images of 19thC fishermen's hands and finding damaged hands, I have been pestering the local fishermen to show me their hands and allow me to photograph them. They have all been tolerant and compliant, and probably bemused at such a request. As a result of being introduced to a retired fisherman and his family, I spent an interesting Friday evening talking with David Smith who started work on the boats aged 15. Each evening after a day out fishing they would have to soak their hands into scalding hot water and Dettol. The water would be made as hot as possible so they would be taking their hands in and out as they acclimatised to the heat (and pain), as they tried to leave them in for as long as possible to draw out the poisons from the fish that might have got into cuts and scrapes in their skin. There would be a period in the summer months when their hands would go very red and sore, due possibly to algae eaten by fish.

I have also been collecting stories of the Moder dy - quizzing everyone I meet. But more on the phenomenon of the Moder dy at later date.

SUNDAY 17th:
All gale warnings currently in force
Hebrides, issued on Sunday 17 October 2010 at 1507 UTC
     Gale force 8 veering westerly imminent
Bailey, issued on Sunday 17 October 2010 at 1511 UTC
     Westerly gale force 8 continuing
Fair Isle, issued on Sunday 17 October 2010 at 1507 UTC
     Gale force 8 veering westerly soon
Faeroes, issued on Sunday 17 October 2010 at 1507 UTC
     Gale force 8 veering westerly soon
Southeast Iceland, issued on Sunday 17 October 2010 at 0316 UTC
     Gale force 8 veering westerly imminent

Out painting today with Deb and Wilma at the Stead of Culswick with two seals to keep us company. Gale force 8's 'no so bad' - exhilarating and inspiring. Lots of spray and waves breaking far out to sea. Thank you Deb & Wilma for putting up with my strange 'soothmooth' predilection for such weather and taking me out despite it, and to Wilma for the warming soup and fruit crumble afterwards.

(en-plein-air, oil on board)

Back at The Booth tonight, having rung out my waterproofs and cooked my supper, the wind sounds wild, thwacking against the side of the studio and whipping up the surface of the water in the harbour. It's gonna be a rough night.