a quick trip to penzance to drop off some work that i'd done for a friend with just enough time to scurry to the sea to watch the amazing tiers of racing waves. i could just about see the hazy outline of st. michael's mount looking like a magical, ethereal land that could dissipate with the gentlest of breezes. there was some beautiful lichen on the rocks- the sunny ochre adding a hint of warmth to the dreary day.
there was also just enough time for a quick visit to steckfensters- a treasure trove of wonderful curiosities, where i spied this fantastic mackerel box. the simple but striking design caught my eye so i asked if i could photograph it. although just a cardboard box it is apparently a collector's item and had a price to match. when i got home i thought i'd do some research and came across this blog called 'through the gaps' with a post on the same box. it's a fascinating blog with lots about newlyn fishing, fishing boats and sustainable fishing policies. there's also a page on contemporary newlyn artists (where i found the friend i'd gone to meet) and so continues newlyn's legacy of fishing and art.
but back to the box. all i managed to discover was this comment from a man with a big bushy beard and cap looking suspiciously like a traditional cornish fisherman :
"this is indeed a mackerel box, it held two stone [28pound] of fish. mackerel were graded by size, green coloured boxes held the largest next came medium size in orange/brown boxes and finally the smallest in blue boxes, all great quality fish."
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