Until I was 21 (in 1959) I lived in Plymouth, going to school, followed by an apprenticeship as an engineering shipwright and going to college. Living by the sea, a love of the sea and boats was inbred. I always looked forward to going to my Grandfather’s house – he had original paintings and his own still life drawings lining the walls and that was unusual in our family at the time. We always went on holiday to places like Mevagissey, Polperro and of course Brixham. Brixham has always been seen as the ‘poor relation’ of all the smart harbour and seaside villages, but for me, it always had a certain charm – I suppose it’s because it is what it is, a working quay with working boats and fisher men and women.