The River Orwell is a mere 12 miles long, flowing through Ipswich, past Pin Mill (see my next blog) and out to the North Sea at Felixstowe. George Orwell took his pen-name from the river, whose banks he walked while living in nearby Southwold (see later). Thames Barges can be seen regularly on the Orwell, sailing on tourist trips from Ipswich, and they make a dramatic contrast with the huge tankers that sail under the modern Orwell Bridge to or from Ipswich. These majestic vessels can also be seen moored, or being refitted, at Pin Mill. Once a year large numbers of them gather here for the annual Barge Match when they race down the Orwell to Harwich Harbour. This is where the Orwell meets the River Stour in a large basin, with Harwich on one side, and Felixstowe on the other, before emptying into the North Sea. My painting shows a Thames Barge heading seaward in early morning light.