Borrowdale Above Sea Level with Spectacular Views of Steeped in Myth and Mystery and Linked to the Lake District and Into Scotland

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Out and about on-Windermere. Find out more at the Local attractions impressive Visitor Centre at Brockhole. Welcome to 01539 446601 • Whinlatter Forest www.lake-district.gov.uk Visitor Centre Whinlatter Forest Park is England’s only • Ullswater Steamers true mountain forest. Rising to 790 metres Ullswater, referred to as the ‘Dark Lake’, is Borrowdale above sea level with spectacular views of steeped in myth and mystery and linked to the Lake District and into Scotland. Arthurian legend. Transport yourself through 01768 778469 time as you set sail on a voyage of discovery Caravan Club Site www.forestry.gov.uk through this spectacular valley. 01768 482229 • Cumberland Pencil Museum www.ullswater-steamers.co.uk Journey through the history of pencil making, marvel at the world’s longest pencil and relax in the coffee shop while Activities the kids play. 01768 773626 • Walking www.pencilmuseum.co.uk There are excellent walks in the area, please • Trotters World of Animals ask the wardens for more information. A wildlife park with over 100 species • Cycling from Antelope to Zebra. Keeper The nearest National Cycle Network route to presentations, bird of prey flying displays, this site is Sea to Sea (C2C) – Whitehaven or reptile encounters, indoor heated play Workington to Newcastle or Sunderland. area, café and picnic areas. 01768 776239 www.trottersworld.com Annual Local Events • The Wordsworth Museum • Keswick Jazz Festival – Early May & Art Gallery • Lake District and Take a guided tour of the cottage where Keswick Half Marathon – Early May Wordsworth wrote his best poetry and Get to know your site Cumberland Ale Keswick was his home from 1799 to 1808. The • Mountain Festival – Mid May Museum about life in his time has a Set in National Trust woodland, close to It doesn’t have to be strenuous: there are special exhibition programme. • Keswick Beer Festival – Early June Derwentwater, this is a site to delight forest trails, nature trails, guided walks and 01539 435544 • Keswick Street Theatre – June & July the eye and the heart with the lovely farm walks - the choice is huge. www.wordsworth.org.uk • Keswick Convention – Mid - late July fells soaring up and the wild flowers and • The Lake District • Lake District Summer Music animals at your feet. If the Lakes themselves are the main National Park attraction, Derwentwater is busy with boats Festival – Early- Mid August England’s largest National Park includes There are numerous walks you can take and a marina. Buttermere and Crummock Derwentwater Trail Fun Run Scafell Pike – England’s highest mountain, • direct from the site, as to appreciate this Water are quieter with only an occasional – Early September Wastwater – its deepest lake, and thriving northern lakes area you need to be on passing rowing boat, and Bassenthwaite also communities like Keswick and Bowness- your feet. merits exploration with its sailing club. 2014 Borrowdale.indd 1-2 22/10/2013 15:17 General site information Reception Services Site Facilities Close by Mail and messages Please do not hang washing lines between Supermarkets Mail and messages are put on the board trees or on the fences. The closest are Booths and the Co-op outside Reception. Outgoing mail: there Recycling in Keswick. are post boxes at the entrance to Manesty Please assist us by making full use of the Cinema Woods and in Grange Village, or mail may facilities situated by the site entrance. be left with the Wardens for collection. In Keswick. Site shop Safety on Site Swimming pool Open at the same times as Reception. Leisure facilities are available at the Lodore Information room Pets Falls Hotel and in Keswick. Open at all times. Leaflets are available Please keep your dog on a lead at all times Tourist Information Centre within the site, and clean up after them. about the many attractions and places of In Keswick at the Moot Hall and in Please exercise dogs off-site, not within the interest that you can visit during your stay. Lake Road. Mobile & public telephones site boundary. Some networks cannot be used on this site. Fire point Public Transport Public telephone – there is a public (to activate alarm/warning) Located at The Keswick/Buttermere bus stops at the telephone adjacent to Reception. all service points. The fire assembly point Site gate. The Borrowdale bus service runs This phone does not accept incoming calls. is outside Reception as shown on the from Keswick to Seatoller and stops at the Site map. Lodore Falls Hotel and Grange Bridge. Tell us what you think… Pitches Places of Worship Visitors If you have any comments or suggestions Please ask your visitors to make themselves C of E, Catholic, Methodist and United Pitch care that could help us to improve this Site, known at Reception when arriving at the Reformed Churches are in the local area. Steel awning pegs are required on this site. please put them in our Visitors’ Comments site. If you are expecting visitors after hours, Motorhome Launch service Book. And if you discover a local pub or please meet them at Reception. If your pitch is left unoccupied, please leave There is a regular launch service around restaurant or an interesting place to go, your motorhome sign on display. Vehicles and cycles Derwentwater. The nearest landing stage is tell us about that too! Parents are reminded that children Vacating your pitch at High Brandelhow, which is approximately Site address: Manesty, Keswick, CA12 5UG Grange Village is often very congested and remain their responsibility and 25 minutes walk. Tickets at discount prices Telephone: 01768 777275 we recommend that you leave the site by therefore they should be supervised are available from the Wardens. 11.30am to avoid meeting arriving outfits in at all times, and to ensure that all the narrowest parts of the road. members of their party follow the Barbecues principles of road safety. These are allowed on site but open fires Motor vehicles and bicycles on site should, are not. at all times, be used with due regard to TV reception the safety and convenience of others and The EHU bollards have a TV socket for the their speed should not exceed walking booster system. A cable is required which pace (5mph). No cycling is permitted on can be purchased from the site shop. site between the hours of dusk and dawn, Electric Hook-up as determined by the Wardens. Any one- The costs of electricity are included in your way system signs should be observed by all pitch fee, but please help us minimise our vehicles and cycles. Foot pedalled cycles, effect on the environment by considering scooters and skateboards can be used, but your electricity use while on site. Also any must not be ridden on footpaths. Please saving could help to reduce pitch fees or note that motorised mobility scooters are help towards investments in new sites or allowed on site, but children’s motorised redevelopments. scooters or skateboards are not. 2014 Borrowdale.indd 3-4 22/10/2013 15:17.
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  • Newlands Valley Walk

    Newlands Valley Walk

    Newlands Valley Walk You can start this walk from virtually anywhere in the Newlands valley; I started from a couple of our Lake District cottages at Birkrigg on the Newlands Pass. Walk down the road in the direction of Keswick, you will soon come to a tight bend at Rigg Beck where the ‘Old Purple House’ used to stand. There is now a Grand Designs style house on the site but the purple colour remains on the roof garden and the front door. Carry on along the pass till you come across a gate on the right hand side and a finger post indicating a footpath beyond the gate. The path leads down into the valley fields and across a minor road. A track climbs up the other side of the valley and emerges at Skelgill. Walk through the farmyard and turn immediately back on yourself to join the path that runs alongside Catbells, towards the old mines at Yewthwaite. After about half a mile, the path descends into Little Town where you can enjoy a well earned cup of tea at the farm tea room. Now there are two options from Little Town. For a longer walk, go back up onto the track and carry on down the valley. This will take you to the old mines at Goldscope where you can peer into the open shafts on the side of Hindscarth. Alternatively you can walk along the road towards Chapel Bridge and stroll down the lane to the pretty little church. The church serves tea and cake on weekends and during the summer.
  • My 214 Story Name: Christopher Taylor Membership Number: 3812 First Fell Climbed

    My 214 Story Name: Christopher Taylor Membership Number: 3812 First Fell Climbed

    My 214 Story Name: Christopher Taylor Membership number: 3812 First fell climbed: Coniston Old Man, 6 April 2003 Last fell climbed: Great End, 14 October 2019 I was a bit of a late-comer to the Lakes. My first visit was with my family when I was 15. We rented a cottage in Grange for a week at Easter. Despite my parents’ ambitious attempts to cajole my sister Cath and me up Scafell Pike and Helvellyn, the weather turned us back each time. I remember reaching Sty Head and the wind being so strong my Mum was blown over. My sister, 18 at the time, eventually just sat down in the middle of marshy ground somewhere below the Langdale Pikes and refused to walk any further. I didn’t return then until I was 28. It was my Dad’s 60th and we took a cottage in Coniston in April 2003. The Old Man of Coniston became my first summit, and I also managed to get up Helvellyn via Striding Edge with Cath and my brother-in-law Dave. Clambering along the edge and up on to the still snow-capped summit was thrilling. A love of the Lakes, and in particular reaching and walking on high ground, was finally born. Visits to the Lakes became more regular after that, but often only for a week a year as work and other commitments limited opportunities. A number of favourites established themselves: the Langdale Pikes; Lingmoor Fell; Catbells and Wansfell among them. I gradually became more ambitious in the peaks I was willing to take on.
  • The North Western Fells (581M/1906Ft) the NORTH-WESTERN FELLS

    The North Western Fells (581M/1906Ft) the NORTH-WESTERN FELLS

    FR CATBELLS OM Swinside THE MAIDEN MOOR Lanthwaite Hill HIGH SPY NORTH Newlands valley FR OM Crummock THE Honister Pass DALE HEAD BARROW RANNERDALE KNOTTS SOUTH Wa Seatoller High Doat Br FR te aithwait r OM CAUSEY PIKE DALE HEAD e HINDSCARTH THE Buttermer GRASMOOR Rosthwaite WHITELESS PIKE EAS BARF HIGH SPY e SALE FELL CA FR T HINDSCARTH S Sleet How TLE OM High Snockrigg SCAR CRAGS CRA ROBINSON WANDOPE Bassenthwait THE LORD’S SEAT G MAIDEN MOOR ROBINSON LING FELL WES EEL CRAG (456m/1496ft) GRISEDALE PIKE Gr e SAIL T ange-in-Borrowdale Hobcarton End 11 Graystones 11 MAIDEN MOOR Buttermer SAIL BROOM FELL ROBINSON EEL CRAG BROOM FELL KNOTT RIGG SALE e FELL LORD’S SEAT HOPEGILL HEAD Ladyside Pike GRAYSTONES ARD CRAGS Seat How WANDOPE CATBELLS LING FELL Der SAIL HINDSCARTH (852m/2795ft) High EEL CRAGS went GRASMOOR SCAR CRAGS Lor Wa WHITESIDE 10 Grasmoor 10 CAUSEY PIKE ton t DALE HEAD WHINLATTER er GRAYSTONES Whinlatter Pass Coledale Hause OUTERSIDE Kirk Fell Honister Swinside BARROW High Scawdel Hobcarton End HOPEGILL HEAD Pass Harrot HIGH SPY GRISEDALE PIKE Swinside Dodd (840m/2756ft) Ladyside Pike GRISEDALE PIKE Br Seatoller High Doat 9 Eel Crag Eel 9 HOPEGILL HEAD aithwait Hobcarton End WHITESIDE CASTLE CRAG e Whinlatter Pass Coledale Hause WHINLATTER THE NORTH- Whinlatter WES GRASMOOR FELL Crummock Seat How (753m/2470ft Forest WANDOPE four gr Par TERN Wa Thirdgill Head Man 8 Dale Head Dale 8 projections k LORD’S SEAT S te of the r r BARF WHITELESS PIKE BROOM FELL aphic KNOTT RIGG ange RANNERDALE KNOTTS Bassenthwait (637m/2090ft) LING FELL
  • Inn Way to the Lake District

    Inn Way to the Lake District

    Walking Holidays in Britain’s most Beautiful Landscapes Inn Way to the Lake District The Lakes Inn Way is a 90 mile circular walk starting and finishing in the popular tourist town of Ambleside. This trail takes in some of the more remote corners of the Lake District, and takes you through the Lake District’s stunning deep sided valleys, along lake shores and over remote mountain passes – as well as past over 40 traditional Lakeland inns. The full route takes you through the popular tourist towns of Ambleside, Coniston, and Grasmere (site of Dove Cottage, former home of the Romantic Poet Wordsworth), as well as through a few of the Lake District’s most impressive valleys – Borrowdale, Ennerdale, and Great Langdale, linked together with paths over high mountain passes, with great views of the surrounding fells. A highlight is a visit to remote Wasdale Head, in the shadow of Scafell Pike, the highest mountain in England. Why is the route known as the Inn Way to the Lake District? Because it is devised so that at each day the route passes a pub at lunchtime and there will always be one nearby – or you will be staying in one – at each overnight stop. There are many traditional Lakeland Inns to choose from, – so you can plan your trip looking forward to log fires, local ales and good food, often made with local produce. Mickledore - Walking Holidays to Remember 1166 1 Walking Holidays in Britain’s most Beautiful Landscapes Summary you will need to read a map and use the route path and pass between Barrow and Outerside Why do this walk? description.
  • Dove Crags ‘Cirqueform’ and Gasgale Gill Asymmetric Valley, English Lake District, Attributed to Large-Scale RSF of Pre-LGM Origins

    Dove Crags ‘Cirqueform’ and Gasgale Gill Asymmetric Valley, English Lake District, Attributed to Large-Scale RSF of Pre-LGM Origins

    Proceedings of theYorkshire Geological Society 2015 Anomalous terrain at Dove Crags ‘cirqueform’ and Gasgale Gill asymmetric valley, English Lake District, attributed to large-scale RSF of pre-LGM origins David Jarman and Peter Wilson slides are grouped thematically, Supporting Information ppt not by order of appearance in the text SI-02 - 04 Lake District RSF distribution, site locations; Northwestern Fells locus; Dove Crags RSF causes* SI-05 - 09 Gasgale Gill valley SI-10 - 21 Dove Crags cirque and slipmass; moraines SI-22 - 24 Hause Crag scar and slipmass SI-25 - 30 Liza Beck cutbank sections, springs, dry channels SI-31 - 35 reconstruction – pre-RSF Gasgale valley, Grasmoor plateau, Whiteside ridge SI-36 - 39 the vicinity – Coledale Hause; Hope Gill; cirque pattern and seeding* SI-40 - 45 comparator sites (Lake District) : Clough Head / Cotley / Robinson / Revelin Crag / Fairfield / Kirk Fell / Whelter Crags SI-46 (Snowdonia) : Pen yr Helgi-du SI-47 - 50 (Highlands / Sweden) : Cobbler / Streap, Karkevagge / Sgurr an Fhuarail / Tullich Hill SI-51 - 52 alternative interpretations – cirque floor rebound* (B an Fhidhleir); parafluvial RSF* (B Buidhe Arnisdale) SI-53 - 54 general diagrams - RSF typology; Lakes RSF:geology; non-exploitation of RSF cavities by glaciers SI-55 - 58 - measures of RSF depth; cataclinal slopes; zone of crush : Beinn Fhada; Norway drill logs SI-59 - 60 Gasgale Gill diagrams - volume calculations – long sections SI-61 - 62 - sequence of events : spatial / temporal SI-63 comparator reconstruction - Clough Head *
  • Route-Guide-10In10-2

    Route-Guide-10In10-2

    From... [Grid Ref.] To… Bearing* A to B TOTAL 10in10 (A) (B) (A to B) Distance Distance Route Guide/Features /miles /miles Leg 1 (Swinside Inn to Buttermere) START - Swinside Inn [243218] Causey Pike 246° 2.0 2.0 From the Inn, walk along the road, via Stair, then up good paths to Causey Pike. Care is required on the final short steep ascent. ESCAPE ROUTE 1 - Exits from a Stoneycroft 2° 2.2 4.2 Exit down a well defined col (A) between Causey Pike and (Stair). Grid Ref: path to your right Sail [Exits from 204205] 232214 (bearing = 2°) on a col just BEFORE the very obvious zig-zag path (17 bends) going up to Sail. Head down the valley via Stoneycroft Gill returning to Stair near Braithwaite in a generally NE then E direction. Causey Pike [219209] (1 in 10) Sail 310° 1.6 3.6 Easy walking via Scar Crags and then up the very obvious zig-zag path (17 bends). As the path levels out, the summit is 10m to the right of the path with a small cairn on top. Continue along path towards Crag Hill. Sail [198203] (2 in 10) Crag Hill 274° 0.4 4.0 Well defined path up to Crag Hill via The Scar. Crag Hill has a Trig point on the summit. ESCAPE ROUTE 2 - Exits from a Lanthwaite 230° 2.9 6.9 Head down main path col (A) approx. 0.5 mile SW Green Farm. from Crag Hill (bearing = beyond summit of Crag Hill [Exits Grid Ref: 159208 230°) then exit on the col from 186202 - indicated on OS (approx.
  • A Day in the Life of a Fix the Fells Lengthsman

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    Editor’s note: Society member Rick Toyer is a volunteer for Fix the Fells, the Society’s main beneficiary in 2017. After reaching the top of the path at Levers Funds raised that year were earmarked to repair the badly-eroded path at Long Stile, High Street. That work is Hause, we take the decision to retrace our steps due to be completed later this year and Rick will write about that project after its completion. Meanwhile, I asked back down the path to get off the fell. Exiting if he would write about a typical day when he volunteers as a lengthsman, spending many hours in all weathers to via the Old Man would be more difficult in the repair and maintain footpaths on the fells. Lengthsman is a centuries-old name for a person who was responsible current conditions, with the fells shrouded in for maintaining a length of road. cloud. On the way down, we check the drains again to make sure they are taking the water off the path as desired. Only then, with our job done, do we stop by the path to eat our bait A Day in the Life of a before pushing off for the final walk through the boulder field to arrive back at the car, Fix the Fells Lengthsman thoroughly wet through. Today was one of those days when, whatever we had worn, we knew we were going to get soaked to the skin. On arrival at the Walna Scar car park, it is obvious that today is going to be a typical Lakeland day with the cloud down and persistent rain, which warrants the donning of full waterproofs.
  • CFR Abrahams Tea Round Winter Solstice Run 2019 by Mike Harrison

    CFR Abrahams Tea Round Winter Solstice Run 2019 by Mike Harrison

    CFR Abrahams Tea Round Winter Solstice Run 2019 by Mike Harrison The last time I did the Abrahams Tea Round, Duncan Potts stole my thunder. The last time I did a winter CFR Winter Solstice run, Glaramara stole my sanity. I still get flashbacks about aimless wanderings over all the wrong rocky tops in the dark wind and rain back in 2018. Fast forward to October 2019 and up popped an invite to a Facebook Event for what now appears to be becoming a club traditional of daft overnight challenges on the Winter Solstice. 2019 would be an attempt at the Abraham’s Tea Round – a relatively simple concept starting and finishing at the doors of George Fisher’s in Keswick and taking in all the fells visible from the café window (and painted underneath for those frequent days when they can’t be seen – see above). This seemed to be the favoured option on the basis it was a mere ~30 miles long with ~12,000’ ascent, so apparently much easier than the No Cure Always Hope Ultra of 2018. Of course… makes perfect sense! And, I had a reputation to protect so with as much hesitation as a fell runner in front of the beer tent, I clicked the ‘going’ button. The Abraham’s Tea Round (ATR) is a relatively new challenge, gaining popularity thanks mainly to the promise of free tea and cake in the café, which means the best lines, routes and even which actual fells need to be visited are still being debated about.1 And what debate there was! The early completers (myself included) generally took a vaguely clockwise route starting off up Catbells and coming down from Barrow, with most adding in Red Pike coming off High Stile and Hopegill Head (in a slight confusion over what ‘Hobcarton’ was) for good measure.
  • 7-Night Northern Lake District Guided Walking Holiday

    7-Night Northern Lake District Guided Walking Holiday

    7-Night Northern Lake District Guided Walking Holiday Tour Style: Guided Walking Destinations: Lake District & England Trip code: DBBOB-7 2, 3 & 5 HOLIDAY OVERVIEW Known as the ‘Queen of the Lakes’, Derwent Water’s gentle beauty is easy to explore on our Guided Walking holidays. Surrounded by the picture-postcard valleys of Buttermere and Borrowdale and lofty mountains, the sheer splendour of these landscapes is guaranteed to inspire you. WHAT'S INCLUDED • High quality en-suite accommodation in our country house • Full board from dinner upon arrival to breakfast on departure day • 5 days guided walking • Use of our comprehensive Discovery Point • Choice of up to three guided walks each walking day • The services of HF Holidays Walking Leaders www.hfholidays.co.uk PAGE 1 [email protected] Tel: +44(0) 20 3974 8865 HOLIDAYS HIGHLIGHTS • Head out on guided walks to discover the varied beauty of the Lake District on foot • Admire panoramic mountain, lake and river views from fells and peaks • Let an experienced walking leader bring classic routes and offbeat areas to life • Enjoy magnificent Lake District scenery and visit charming Lakeland villages • Look out for wildlife, find secret corners and learn about the Lakes’ history • A relaxed pace of discovery in a sociable group keen to get some fresh air in one of England’s most beautiful walking area TRIP SUITABILITY This trip is graded Activity Level 2, 3 and 5, explore the beautiful Lake District on our guided walks. We offer a great range of walks to suit everyone - from gentle lakeside walks, to challenging mountain ridges.
  • Lake District Scrambles

    Lake District Scrambles

    Lake District Scrambles Area Scramble route Grade Distance Assessment Blencathra Halls Fell Ridge 1 7km / 4.4 miles: This route is steep and Exposed ridge walking and scrambling Sharp Edge 1/2 interesting throughout with some of the best views in the northern Lakes. Borrowdale 1 Nitting Haws 1/2 14km/ 9 miles via Dale Head and A delightful scramble up an easily Hindscarth accessible ridge, providing an outstanding view over Borrowdale and an interesting route to the fell tops. Borrowdale 2 Sourmilk Gill 1/2 10km / 6.5 miles with a lot of ascent and Two contrasting scrambles combined Rabbit’s Trod 3 descent with a strenuous walk over high fells amongst some of the grandest rock scenery in the Lake District. Borrowdale 3 Dovenest Crag ­ Attic cave 2/3 8km / 5 miles A combination of two very contrasting Intake Ridge 3 scrambles hidden in one of the most Outake Ridge 3 delightful valleys in the Lake District, Ashness Gill 3s steeped in history. Buttermere Harrow Buttress 3 7km / 4.5 miles via Scarth Gap and Continuous exposed scramble Chockstone Ridge 3s 10.5km / 6.5 miles via Fleetwith Pike combining two routes up a fine, firm buttress, marking the technical limit of scrambling. Good belays and ledges. Coniston 1 Brim Fell 2 12km / 7.5 miles: A delightful round Two scrambles that gain a height of Low Water Beck over 430m / 1419ft through impressive scenery in an area rich in history. Coniston 2 Dow B Buttress 3s 10km / 6.2 miles Easily extended to Two exposed scrambles on a major cliff Dow F Buttress 3s take in the Old Man and other fells.
  • Attractions Guide 2020

    Attractions Guide 2020

    OFFERS SPECIAL 4x4 Kankku 01 Chocolate Factory 07 English Heritage 13 Holker Hall 19 Lakes 25 Quaker Tapestry 31 Off Road Driving Chocolate Workshop & Emporium in North Cumbria & Gardens Aquarium Museum INSI D Take the wheel of a specially prepared A unique and interactive award winning From Roman frontiers and forts to a Discover the beauty of nature, and the Sea Lakes and More! Discover inspirational stories brought to life E KANKKU vehicle to explore the challenging experience that is truly unforgettable for captivating castle, there are plenty of days richness of local heritage. A fascinating Discover incredible creatures - from otters in vibrant embroidery at this award–winning terrain of the National Park. children. Make your own delicious chocolate out with English Heritage in North Cumbria. historic house with stunning gardens, and diving ducks to piranha and pike! Museum. This modern masterpiece, made creations and best of all everything you make deer park, café, gift shop, food hall and an Discover 4x4 off road driving skills and Visit Birdoswald Roman Fort and see the Underwater tunnel, kids explorer bags and by 4,000 people from 15 countries, takes is yours to take home. inspirational programme of special events. experience the best of the Lake District. longest continuous stretch of Hadrian’s Wall daily ‘meet the creature’ sessions. Joint you on a 350 year journey. Over 100 varieties of chocolates – Hot Open: Kankku takes to the trails whatever the or explore the most besieged castle in the Open: Hall & Gardens: Friday 20 March (open Aquarium/Cruise/Train tickets available. Children go FREE.
  • 355 SAILING I Am Not Sure Why, but at the Age of 40 I Became Interested In

    355 SAILING I Am Not Sure Why, but at the Age of 40 I Became Interested In

    SAILING I am not sure why, but at the age of 40 I became interested in learning how to handle a yacht. Maybe something brought back the magnificent adventure I had with some friends from Rugby when I was in my mid-teens and four of us had chartered a yacht on the Norfolk Broads. None of us had any experience of how to handle a sail and although we had a couple of very hairy moments, we managed to stay afloat and not run into anything. Whatever the cause, the urge suddenly descended upon me so I bought a yachting magazine and looked for someone who could teach me how to sail. I found an advertisement offering lessons on a 36-foot long sloop on the Solent waters between Southampton and the Isle of Wight. I rang the number and asked a nice sounding man if I could arrange for some lessons. He suggested that I should take a one-day course to start with, so one afternoon I packed a bag and drove down to meet Captain Tony, a gentle man about ten years older than myself. There were four other students and none of us had been on a yacht before. A young lad aged 20 named Mark acted as Tony’s Mate. They behaved like father and son and obviously had a very close relationship. Mark turned out to be extremely competent and ran the boat while Tony gave the lessons. When the introductions were over we climbed into a rubber dinghy and rowed out to the Fair Endeavour, that was moored midstream on the river Hamble.