Hello, I’m Melinda, welcome aboard the Swallow — my boat, Gwennel.
Her name means “swallow” in Cornish, and she has been six years in the making, patiently waiting for the day she could carry us out into the world. Built in Cornwall, she embodies everything I love about slow living: a gentle, purposeful pace, the freedom to explore, and the quiet joys found in the everyday rhythms of life on the water.
For six years, my husband Mike and I have been working on her on the verdant banks of the River Dart in Devon, surrounded by rolling green hills, secret coves, and stretches of riverbank that invite long morning walks. We’ve learned the rhythm of tides, the whisper of wind through rigging, and the calm satisfaction of small achievements — like perfecting a sourdough loaf after a day spent foraging for blackberries and wild herbs along the banks. Life on the river has taught us patience, resourcefulness, and the simple delight of being present in the moment.
This spring, we hope to finally launch Gwennel and begin our adventures. We’ll start close to home, exploring the wild beauty of Cornwall, the Scilly Isles, and Ireland, before venturing north to Scotland and Norway. And eventually… who knows? The world is wide, and the swallow is restless. Every journey will be a chance to slow down, to forage on hidden beaches, to comb the shorelines for treasure, to watch sunsets from places few have seen, and to live the tiny-home life afloat — self-sufficient, mindful, and delightfully unhurried.
From the Swallow is where I share a little piece of that life. Here, you’ll find designs inspired by the water, by wandering, and by the small, joyful rituals that make life rich: sailing through misty mornings, beach combing after storms, baking bread with hands dusted in flour, and finding beauty in the wild corners of the world. Every piece is a reminder to embrace slow adventure, freedom, and a life lived on your own terms — whether on a boat, along a riverbank, or simply in your own home. My purpose is to share a little of this simple life with you all, and the shop helps keep me afloat and puts supplies in the cupboards.
I hope that as you explore this space, you’ll feel a little of the spirit of Gwennel, and perhaps be inspired to find your own adventures, big or small. There’s so much more to come — stories of wind and waves, of hidden coves, of the quiet satisfaction of living close to the water and the land. The journey is just beginning, and I can’t wait to share it with you.
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