Wells-next-the-Sea With A Pervading Mist…
(Inspired by John Tuck’s painting…)
Tethered boats niggle idly upon Wells’ full tide, their
Moorings stable upon a wharf wall, stern and weather worn.
A mesmerising mist smothers the quayside, pervading,
Probing, infiltrating and luring with its propensity to seep
And mystify, fading the weak sunlight to peach and buff
At its upper reaches, then sidling between red roofs to where
The old granary stands as testament to industry. The haze permeates the forlorn
Gantry, supported by spidery legs, once used for the loading Of malt onto vessels bound for breweries, then the smog wriggles free to creep
Across the channel onto the marshes, amongst wading birds and samphire grass, hardy and tough…
Pete Ray…
22nd February 2026…
I love Wells…
Hope to be there in a couple of weeks…
The painting sets the scene with some fascination…
(Malt is grain, made to germinate by soaking it in water but it is then prevented from further germination by drying it with hot air. This process is known as ‘malting’…)
The thoughts of The Sand Martin...
‘This exquisitely painted picture depicts a scene of three or possibly four small boats on the water near the wharf at Wells -next –the- Sea.
Two boats are moored on the wharf itself. The boat in the foreground is painted in red and white and focuses the immediate attention. Close by a blue and white boat is also moored and further along in a similar colour is a rowing boat with one occupant. It is the only clear movement in the picture.
The colours of the boats are bright compared with the overall pale delicate colours and ethereal style that dictate a calm and quiet feeling. There is a soft glow in the smooth sky as pale yellow and apricot colours blend imperceptibly into soft pale grey blue tones that are reflected beautifully into the water where there is barely a ripple.
The sea and sky would almost merge together if it were not for the wall of the wharf and also buildings in the distance all painted delicately in pale misty grey tones.
The feelings of peace this evokes are in contrast to the once very busy quayside when malted grain from the granary was transported by sea to the breweries. Now it appears as a sleepy dreamy place of recreation and leisure.
It is an idyllic scene with soft muted gentle tones where boats, wharf and buildings almost merge into a Heaven on Earth and Sea…’
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