Lunchtime Stopover - by Terry Harrison

1000 Piece Puzzles - 685mm x 490mm

Box Dimensions - 305mm x 305mm x 50mm

In keeping with the Gibsons vision this 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle looks back to a time when England was still a powerful nation despite what we now regard as quainTêtechnology. Although originally dating back to Roman Britain, the canals we see in today's England are reconstructions that were largely built in the early industrial era between the 17th and 19th centuries for the transport of commercial goods such as coal, wheat and wool. The network of canals connected sections of rivers or were constructed to bypass shallow or otherwise unnavigable sections of larger rivers. Up until the construction of the canal system, poorly maintained roads with even ricketier wagons were the only available transport for goods. Neither asphalt (tarmacadam) nor rubber inflatable tyres were invented until the first half of the 19th century. With increased industrialization in the 18th century more factories required transport of both finished goods and raw materials. The great porcelain industry of England relied on the canals, as did the budding steel industry. Fertilizers, grains, wool, coal, livestock, and all manner of consumer goods were moved economically, if not swiftly, by barge. By the mid to late 19th century the canals had fallen into disrepair as railroads provided more rapid and reliable transport. Tourists (as well as puzzle hobbyists) and those looking to live at a pace removed from today's hurly burly will take satisfaction in knowing many of England's canals have been reclaimed and repaired from the ravages of time. The title of the Gibsons puzzle, Lunchtime Stopover, refers to time being taken to enjoy a moment's relaxation by the water's edge.

Terry Harrison was born near Wendover into an RAF family and consequently spent his early years moving from base to base, eventually settling in Farnborough, Hampshire. After attending Farnham Art School, Terry became a graphic artist working in London before joining the Yellow Pages as an illustrator and later Thompson Directories in their Farnborough head office. During his leisure time, Terry pursued his true passion which was landscape painting and by 1984 the demand on his original work was so great that he decided to paint full time and has never looked back! A few years later, Terry began to publish his work as fine art prints and in 1996 was awarded the Best Up and Coming Published Artist of the Year by the Fine Art Trade Guild. The increasing popularity of Terry's work in both their original and printed formats (including cardboard jigsaw puzzles) is reflected in the ever increasing demand for his pictures both at home and abroad.His work can be found in collections around the world in Europe, Japan and the United STêtes.