Travels in Australia and New Zealand

In September last year, we travelled to Australia to visit family, and I took the opportunity to make the trip over to New Zealand for fifteen days of exploring. As usual, I packed my camera and sketchbooks, always looking around me and hoping for those unforgettable views that might make beautiful paintings.

The weather for the trip was not great. My first foray was cut short on the second day by deep snow, gales and an approaching storm. My second mission was abandoned at 2am after the benign forecast of light snow was actually a raging blizzard, burying the tent at about 7500ft. I had great difficulty making it down to the valley across dangerously loaded slopes for six hours, and triggered several avalanches. Come the morning, I was tired and a little shaken and as the snow continued to fall, I gave myself a telling off and retreated to the town of Wanaka where I felt I'd earned a roof and some warmth. I would be sharing a room at the hostel Haka, when really I just wanted to be alone and recover from my escape. Well, as it turned out, my room mate was the most wonderful, kind, generous man. Kim was 59 and from China, but was now living in Christchurch with his family. He might have noticed that I needed some looking after. He took me under his wing, cooked me a three-course dinner, bought a case of beer and we sat up all evening eating, drinking and chatting. What an amazing person. I include a picture of us here.

After that experience, I was rejuvenated and got to the West coast where I camped on a wild beach before the weather turned grizzly again for many days. I met fellow landscape artist Jane Riley at her studio near Fox Glacier, and we discussed our lives as painters, and all the joys and pitfalls that go along with our obsession.

Another excursion saw me attempting to climb Ben Nevis, a high peak in The Remarkables range that looked to be suitably impressive. Unfortunately the wind was so strong, I couldn't even begin the approach. Luckily, the weather then came good and I was able to finish my trip on a high in the Mount Aspiring National Park.

There will be paintings.

On returning to Australia, we were hit with the news that my wife had breast cancer. It was decided that treatment should begin as soon as possible, and we stayed put while she had surgery and some recovery time. So what began as a five week holiday, ended up being four months away from home, work and school for us and our two children. It's been tough. 2026 will now bring its own challenges as Clare undergoes further treatment and we try to adjust to life in the Highlands again.

Not only was this an upsetting time for all of us, I found it very difficult on a personal level being away from climbing, painting and my way of life in Scotland. When it became apparent that we would stay, I bought paints, brushes and canvases with the intention of keeping busy. When it came to it though, I just couldn't do it. I couldn't even start. I primed two canvases but they remained blank. I knew I should be painting, but I had nothing to give.

Now we're back home, I am readying myself for getting creative. I can feel the excitement slowly building once again. Not only will I finally begin my Forth Bridge commission, but I have New Zealand and Australian landscapes to paint, and of course the beautiful mountains of Scotland are calling me.

Thank you for your support,

Jamie