BRANTA CRUISES

Visiting the wilderness of creeks and tidal channels on the North Norfolk coast

Most of the time I spend working along the North Norfolk coast is in the company of Jonathan Brown, a unique character and enthusiast for nature and landscape.  

For decades he has successfully blended a life of part-time fisherman, conservationist, summer warden, wildlife enthusiast, and all round good bloke.  We have had many adventures together and he facilitates most of my requests to get out to remote corners of the tidal creeks and channels where I can paint undisturbed.

When the day's work is done we frequently retreat to the comfort of The Jolly Sailors in Brancaster, The Nelson in Burnham Thorpe, or The Hoste Arms in Burnham Market where we compare notes on the day's experiences and make plans.  Many times the conversation has turned to Jon's dream of one day having a boat he could cruise the tidal wilderness with taking perhaps 6 or 8 fare paying passengers who would appreciate the wildlife and landscape as much as he does and want to share his passion for the places he knows so well.  Perhaps he could even make a bit of a seasonal living out of it, and one day add sketching cruises and hire the windmill at Burnham Thorpe to hold art workshops and develop studio ideas based on the experiences captured in the boat and on the marsh.  It always sounded like a good idea! - and one for Atelier Natura perhaps?

Then, in October 2009 all the dreaming stopped when Branta Cruises was officially launched and the Laura May took to the waters for the first time.

Visit the Branta Cruises website for the full story - and to maybe even make a booking!