The Gooleys were camping on the Isle of Wight over the weekend. It was great weather, the few hours of rain that are necessary to make it feel like proper British camping kept themselves to late at night and early in the morning, which was considerate. A few observations will creep into the blog in due course, but to save me a bit of time as I work to catch up on some emails, below is one that artfully saved me the need to blog properly. Thank you, Rob.

Tristan,

I hope you are well.

Emily and I attended your course at West Dean some months ago, and since then we have spent much time working out north from south based on the “tick” shaped branch formations.

I recall you showing us many pictures of trees and asking us to determine directions based on the tick shape. And I have now something to add to your collection of pictures.

While walking through the Tate Gallery today I came across this painting. This picture is a view over the Thames from Richmond Hill, painted in the early 19th century. If you’ve ever been on Richmond Hill, you would know that this painting looks to the west. But even if you didnt know this, there are two ways of working out directions. First, the little note underneath the painting says this is a view to the west! Secondly and of more relevance to natural navigation is the way the branches come out of the trunks. The tree on the far left shows the best example of the “tick” shape from which you can draw a south/north line, south is to the left, north to the right, and west straight ahead!. I was very impressed with Turner’s attention to detail!.

http://www.tate.org.uk/servlet/ViewWork?workid=14761&searchid=30595&tabview=image

I hope this is of some interest to you.

Kind regards
Rob Worthington

‘In nine cases out of ten rivers will lead, if not home, at least to somebody else’s home.‘