In 1933, Robert E Groves resumed his collaboration with Yachting Monthly, with a series of 8 articles.
Long after his years with Sheila, she was still very much his preferred subject, although other articles recall his cruises on Sheila II.
May 1933
‘Memories’ by Robert E. Groves, 1933 – Sailing By (sailing-by.org.uk)
In this short poem by Robert E. Groves, regular contributor to ‘Yachting Monthly’, yachtsman and artist, we read his reflections on cruising memories off the west coast of Scotland in the Hebrides. His Albert Strange designed yawl, ‘Sheila’ was built for him in 1905.
As by my fire I sit and dream
I sometimes fall a-musing
On joys and pleasures I have seen
In happy days of cruising.
Alas! how surely time doth slip
From clutches unavailing,
‘Tis years since last I saw my ship,
And with her went a-sailing’.
In waking dreams I still behold
The distant islands glooming,
And see them bathed in sunset gold,
Across the ocean looming.
Ah me! that such enchanted days
Astern are surely falling,
Yet Memory with the soul still plays,
And Hebrid Isles are calling.
Then why be sad, while Memory
Brings visions so entrancing;
Upon that wild Hebridean sea
I watch the sunbeams dancing?
Avaunt, dull care! thou spectre grim,
Away with idle musing;
lmagination’s sails we’ll trim
And go once more a-cruising’.
Robert E. Groves
August 1933
The 3rd installment of the 1933 Groves chronicles is about Sheila.
September 1933
Sheila is the star of the 4th installment by Groves.
