On the west side of the Cap D’Antibes there is a small bay called Port D’Olivette where some wooden boats tie up to a small wooden jetty. The strip of stony beach is frequented mainly by locals and it never seems to be particularly busy.  I have painted the bay many times with the boats in the foreground and the maritime pines overhanging the beach. Until last year I had never actually seen anyone using the boats which at one time I am sure must have been fishing boats but are all now kept in immaculate condition. Although they look just like oversized rowing boats I was delighted to witness a family coming ashore, three of them standing in the prow and the oarsman adorned in an oversized straw hat. The whole scene had my favoured timeless quality and made a great composition against the shaded rocks in the background. There seemed to be that rare balance of colour, tranquillity and sense of place that makes for a very evocative image.