I live in a house with two people who have boats and one person who has lived on a houseboat. I am yet to have a go on any of these (one isn’t seaworthy yet and one owner has broken his leg), but their enthusiasm must have filtered through to me somewhat, because I’ve been seeing boat-related things everywhere. Tristam Lansdowne’s defaced and derelict architectural paintings combine aspects of different urban settings and present them as mysterious detached structures. This houseboat is a bit like an airship. Another favourite is the one below which is called ‘Tomb’ ( look here because it’s much less frustrating to navigate than his site).

Then, the always wonderful Present&Correct have come out with a poster of boats in that simple Miffy-ish style that appeals to me. Further investigation has shown me that the original designers Maddison Graphic have produced a lot of likeable things, including these paper cutout banners.

Alongside these things, a recent conversation with one of my housemates has resurrected a desire to see the Hornblower TV series again. A quick library search has confirmed that they don’t have any of the DVDs, which puts paid to any burgeoning ideas of Hornblower Nights (probably much to everyone else’s relief). There is a ‘Hornblower Companion’ apparently, which shows all of the journeys and maps etc. which sounds pretty good. Ah good old unpronounceable Ioan Gruffudd… You can keep your Desperate Housewives..: