When Amanda “Mandy” Spottiswoode and Molly March first started embarking on horseback and sailing adventures together, they never thought that their exploring would turn to the page.
But their 35-year friendship has resulted in two published books and another on the way.
What started as a cruising guide for sailors exploring the B.C. Coast has turned into a historical adventure for children, with Spottiswoode as author and March as illustrator.
March, who now lives in Coldstream, met Spottiswoode, who is now based on Salt Spring Island and is originally from the U.K., while both were living in Armstrong.
“We met about 35 years ago. We had tons of adventures together, mostly on horseback and on boats,” said March. “She grew up in boarding schools and so escaped via adventure stories.”
Like Spottiswoode, March also has an adventurous spirit. A childhood fan of the Nancy Drew mystery series by Carolyn Keene, she has travelled the world as an accomplished set designer for theatre, opera and ballet.
Her theatre work includes designing sets for local productions at Caravan Farm, Runaway Moon and Asparagus Community theatres, the latter where Spottiswoode was also once a member. She has also worked regularly with Vancouver’s Leaky Heaven Circus, and has designed posters and shown her art and illustrations internationally.
March and Spottiswoode’s friendship turned into a working relationship when Spottiswoode penned her first book, South Islander: Memoirs of a Cruising Dog.
An avid sailor, who has tracked numerous nautical miles on her sailboat the South Islander, Spottiswoode came up with a memoir and guide for those who like to cruise with dogs aboard. March drew the 45 treasure-like maps in her illustrative style to accompany the book that details dog friendly walks around the Gulf Islands.
“The great thing about Mandy is that she knows exactly what she wants, but she can’t draw. She sits beside me and tells me what she wants. It’s helpful. We moved ahead collaboratively and with enthusiasm. Mandy’s strongest characteristic is her honesty,” said March.
That same spirit continues with the women’s most recent collaboration, Brother XII’s Treasure (published by Heritage House), a children’s adventure story for ages eight to 12.
“My book club just read Brother XII and they loved it,” said March, who used pen and ink and gouache paint in her illustrations.
Set in 1936, the book is a fictional tale that features a real-life character. It follows a group of British school children who turn a summer sailing vacation with their uncle into a suspenseful hunt for clues that lead them to a lost treasure left behind by notorious cult leader Brother XII.
(Born Edward Arthur Wilson in England, Brother XII founded a spiritual community located just south of Nanaimo and later sailed away, disappearing into thin air with his disciples’ money.)
Along the way, the kids visit settlements from De Courcy Island to Desolation Sound, and encounter a cast of eccentric characters from a time when B.C.’s coastal outports were much more active and populated than they are today.
Spottiswoode says the book was inspired by a desire to engage kids in learning about the history and geography of the B.C. Coast.
“My book touches on interesting historical facts relating to trans-Atlantic travel in the 1930s, the early days of aviation, and the rum running trade that took place during prohibition,” she said. “The children arrive in Vancouver the year before the Lions Gate Bridge is built and the year before there was any trans-Canada passenger airline service. And of course, they have to communicate without the benefit of mobile phones and learn to navigate a sailboat without the aid of a GPS.”
March is currently working on the illustrations for the sequel to Brother XII’s Treasure.
Entitled The Silver Lining, the book is based around the women’s other love, horses, and features the same set of British school children. This time they visit their uncle on a cattle drive through Quilchena in the Nicola Valley in search of silver.
“I get to draw lots of horses, which makes me happy with all the adventures Mandy and I had on horseback,” said March, adding she rode western saddle, while Spottiswoode always rode English saddle.
“The illustrations in the next book are like old black and white photos (one of the characters has a Brownie camera) and I’m going to use ink wash.”
Information on the books can be found on Spottiswoode’s website, southislander.ca. Brother XII’s Treasure can also be found at Bookland book store in Vernon.
