A Marianne North Diary

Marianne North

My journey to Australia 1980

I am writing this with a candle in my room as it is night. It isn’t the best room, but I can cope with this. I am certainly used to much harsher conditions, sleeping in tents. At least the temperature is warm. In Japan ,a small time ago, I fell ill with Rheumatic Fever. This means I can no longer cope with colder climates. This did upset me, but I recovered and I’m keen to keep going.

I started my journey in Marseilles in France. We came via Sarawak, where I discovered the carnivorous pitcher plant. I have been travelling for months as Australia is so far from France and I made the stop along the way. I have been to many different places across the world so I know what it feels like to travel on a steam ship. I don’t mind the long journey on a steam ship. I can use the time to paint and reflect.

I am always excited when going on adventures to discover new plants or animals I have never seen or heard of. As usual I am travelling alone despite people finding it strange for a woman to be doing this. I just find my own company to be the best. I bring very few spare items of clothing with me, but always pack plenty of painting supplies and my easel.

I’m heading to Australia because my friend Charles Darwin said my work is excellent, but to complete it I should go to Australia as there are many things to be discovered. I must rest now and take this journey to gather my energy for exploring when I arrive.

In Australia 1980

I’m coming to the end of my trip in Australia. I started out in Brisbane visiting the Botanical garden. However, I much prefer the countryside to a big city, so I headed inland. I spent over an hour laying under a eucalyptus tree with my handkerchief on a tuft of grass for a pillow studying this species of tree I had never seen before. I visited the Blue Mountains where I saw the beautiful Waratah plant in the wild for the first time. The red of its petals were so vivid. The shape reminds me of a raspberry. I also got to see the native bear of Australia. It’s coat was grey, ears rounded with a flat black nose. My eye was constantly drawn to plants not native to Australia in people’s gardens struggling in the heat and dry soil. As a lover of plants this slightly disturbed me. Although I am also not native so also find it hot wearing a full dress, but this is what is expected of me.

I painted a picture of the native bear alongside the Australian pears with my usual medium of oil paints. I often have to pack away my paintings before they are even dry as there is so little time and a lot to see and do. Thankfully this painting turned out exactly as I wanted.

I am returning to England now but looking forward to sharing my findings and my next adventure.

By Cleo.