Its a shame that the coast line depicted by Donald Maxwell in Unknown Essex has now gone with the building of the barrier. I walked over this coast line a number of years ago only to find that what were at one time muddy inlets dry as a bone, slip ways miles from the river. Another book by Donald maxwell was a Detective in Essex that covers this part of the world. ( have a spare copy)

I think the farm in the top painting is Small Gains from the north wall of Small Gains Creek. All those elm trees are a give-away and the lay-out of the barns look exactly the same as those that Prouts used when they were boat-building there. Graham.

Dear John Horne, I don't know how I missed your comment at the time, but I should love to purchase your spare copy of Maxwell's 'A Detective in Essex' to add to my collection. Please be in touch. Robert Hallmann roberthallmann@btinternet.com