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10 FEBRUARY 2021:

Houseboats in the mist.

Prints available! B-017. Houseboats in the mist - by Greig Clifford
Copr. Copyright © 2020 GREIG CLIFFORD.

The houseboats on the River Adur at the Shoreham estuary have always interested me. I pass by them often and wonder what it might be like to live in one. In 2017 I spent a day on one photographing behind the scenes on a music video shoot. It spiked my interest in houseboat life even more... perhaps one day I'll pluck up the courage to approach some of the residents for a project idea, something sensitive to their privacy and lifestyle.

Since then I have continued to admire from a distance, promising to myself I would find time to make a photograph featuring the houseboats one day. Well, the mist this particular morning created an atmosphere I felt was too good to ignore. The day was very still, hardly a breeze in the air, and the tide was out so the river level was low, exposing some interesting features of the estuary bed.


Prints available! B-021. Houseboats in the mist (5) - by Greig Clifford
Copr. Copyright © 2020 GREIG CLIFFORD.

I love the sense of mystery that mist produces, how it has veiled the houseboats here, showing the slightest hint of their shapes.

Prints available! B-022. Houseboats in the mist (6) - by Greig Clifford
Copr. Copyright © 2020 GREIG CLIFFORD.

I was lucky enough to be there at just the right time for a heron (I think), or some other similarly large water bird to fly in to my frame.

Prints available! B-019. Houseboats in the mist (3) - by Greig Clifford
Copr. Copyright © 2020 GREIG CLIFFORD.

The river attracts people in row boats, paddle-boarders and, as seen here, canoeists. The estuary at low tide has much to explore, and the river Adur winds through very scenic Sussex countryside.

Prints available! B-018. Houseboats in the mist (2) - by Greig Clifford
Copr. Copyright © 2020 GREIG CLIFFORD.

The houseboats have been at Shoreham for many years, although the number moored changes from time to time. According to some online resources the community was established during the 1970's, but I believe there were houseboats positioned in the area before this.

Prints available! B-020. Houseboats in the mist (4) - by Greig Clifford
Copr. Copyright © 2020 GREIG CLIFFORD.

Some of the current homes are actually decommissioned military vessels, motor torpedo boats and other Royal Navy Coastal Forces craft, built during the Second World War. It's nice to think boats designed for warfare have found a much more peaceful use. Each home is unique, with all sorts of modifications to the original boat shapes. I imagine they must be true reflections of their residents' personalities, and what interesting people they must be.

Prints available! B-023. Houseboats in the mist (7) - by Greig Clifford
Copr. Copyright © 2020 GREIG CLIFFORD.



If these images are the first of mine you have seen, or you are relatively new to my work, please know I'm always keen to make new contacts and push my photography to wider horizons. If you like what you see, say hello!

If you are able to help bring my photography to a larger audience, then lets talk! I'd be glad to hear from you!


Finally, prints of my images are available, starting at affordable prices to encourage new collectors. Signed archival quality prints are strictly limited in number. Your support is very much appreciated.



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