KING GEORGE V approaching Oban

I remember the KGV very well from when I resided in Fort William during some of my younger years. It was such a wonderful figure gliding down Loch Linnhe.
30 mins to do a picture with this  detail  confirms what I already knew.
You are a very skilled painter / artist / splasher  Donald  -  and may you long continue to contribute your work for our enjoyment.    Thank you again.

Collach.

What a kind comment, Robert.  You and Debra and others seem to see qualities in my 'art' that I don't.  A lot of it was done in the past as 'doodles'.  I have become more serious about it since retiring, and perhaps I am achieving (right word?) a bit more than I did.  This was definitely a splash-up job.  I found I had to work fairly fast with water-colours, and that didn't suit me....and all the mistakes I made....oh dear.  You haven't seen what went into the bin.  Re. 'KGV', she was a splendid sight indeed - made Fort William for me, when I would pass in the train, or stop for a cup of tea, and there she was, resplendent at the pier!  Not like that now....All the best, Donald

A bonny ship the old KGV,and she could go like a train too.He went past us one day inside of the last island before the South end of the Iona Sound,Eilean na Muc I think it's called,us picking our way through at half speed in a 50 footer and him four times our size going like the clappers...if it wasnae in the high teens it was gey close to that.Seeing that sight is something I still marvel at...a supremely confident seaman or a very rash man?...100% sure it was the former.I think the insurance company finally put a stop to that wee show and made him go the long way round the South side of the island.That inside passage was known to fishermen as "the Dardanelles"...don't ask me how it got the name,I haven't a clue.

Ronnie, thanks so much.  Great to hear from you.  As it happens, I have a couple of black and white photographs (taken by the late Dugald MacArthur from Iona) showing the 'KGV' doing the inside run past Eilean nam Muc in 1939!  It is a remarkable sight.  She looked splendid - just before the Second World War, and she still had her open bridge.  I must get them scanned and put up for you.  I'm going off to Tiree on the 20th for a fortnight or so, and will do the scanning when I come back.  I am sure it was confident seamanship, OK.  The 'Claymore' would do much the same thing when entering the Sound of Gunna from the South.  Tiree Masters and officers knew the inside passages like the backs of their hands.  I remember being on the 'Claymore' once going through Gunna Sound, and the officer giving me all the bearings based on landmarks for navigating that narrow channel below the house known as 'Roshigil'.   'When that part of Gunna aligns with that part of Coll, bring her round a wee bit to starboard...'  Changed days.  No gyro and auto then - just superb head knowledge and experience. Safe as safe - we were in skilled hands.  The Captain stuck his head out the door in a misty morning, and said, 'Aye, we are passing the Cleit now.  I can smell the cormorants laying their eggs!!!'  Amazing that you should have mentioned that about the 'KGV'. All the best, Donald

hi yr , donald i heard another version though simuler about the k.g getting stopped going through the dardanells channel,apparently the board otrade or insurance man was aboard one day and was enjoying a cuppa in the saloon when he looked out the window all he could see was white water and tangle alarmed he rushed across to the other side of the vessel only to be met by the same sight,it seems he was not as impressed as we are at the skippers clever seamanship and the practice and probably enjoyment for the captain of using that little shortcut was put an end to .

Wow that is a beauty....great detail and another fantastic sea and sky and such good colours in both....lovely work and so glad you posting them on here as I see you have more comments from people I've not seen posting before...good on you !!!
Debra  

Thanks so much, mt22.  Wonderful story.  Sounds as if that sort of 'stop it' approach bore fruit in 'Health and Safety' of the present day!  Will put up the photographs soon, when I get back from Tiree.

Debra, you are most kind.  Before I began to put my pics up on the web, I had no way of knowing whether they were good or bad...and some just vanished, as they were a way of passing the time, and went out with the rubbish. I didn't think this one was all that great when I did it, but it meant something to me...and apparently to my colleague.  Glad others can enjoy these efforts now.  I was never comfortable with watercolour, and had no way of knowing whether anything I did in it was worth keeping.     Thank you for your support again.  Donald

If you like it it's worth keeping...plus you know yourself where bits are wrong and whether that makes you feel like it's no good overall or whether it's artistic license...also other peoples' reactions help...but if you know a thing is right then stick with that gut feeling as you will be right !  I doubt any of yours could "go wrong" !!!
Keep looking more out...there will be a stash of beauties somewhere I am sure.

Thanks, Debra. You are too kind.  Oh yes, quite a few went wrong, at least in my eyes, and they were given the heave over the side!  However, Anna, my younger daughter, saw what was happening, and said, 'Dad, don't throw them out when you are half-way through.  There comes a point when the picture starts to 'light up', and that is usually just after you think it is going wrong!'  Wise words, daughter to father.  I know now what she meant.  A lot of my problem was just lack of confidence, even with completed efforts.  Perhaps these comments will help someone else.  Donald.

Never has a truer word been spoken !
I was looking at my current one and saying when is it going to come together above the boat...it's my new kind of dramatic sky(a first this one) -soooo much work it is some chore !   I even said TRUST ME on facebook uploads(as I have been here before and they always come together) ....and I did just a wee bit more and now I have that ALL EXCITED FEELING you get when you KNOW it is looking good...dare I say (hopefully) amazing...you will see what I mean when it's done... it's working well and one of those moments that you go "great a good idea has made the painting"  ...I hate the half done stage until you get that feeling.  Your daughter is soooo right...bash on until it comes together unless you just KNOW you've made a huge booboo that can't be sorted...the more you do the less of those you have.
You also have to know when to stop as you can ruin it so easily !