Just realised with a bit of a shock that at the weekend I will be the same age as Spring Fever’s last proprietor when he gave up sailing because he was getting on a bit, and sold the boat to us.
That was nearly 15 years ago. I thought of retitling this blog The Oldie Sailor, but Richard Ingrams, the Private Eye Editor who founded The Oldie magazine for irascible ageing writers, might have something to say about that.
Judging by the age profile at Cruising Association events and at the Southampton Boat Show, we are not alone, and the number of older sailors is growing rather fast.
The best way to celebrate a big birthday that comes towards the end of the season is not just to plan an interesting cruise next year, which will be a pleasure to think about as the nights lengthen. It’s also to hope that somebody gives me a lovely dry, warm waterproof offshore jacket to replace my old one, which is falling apart….
tide by tide 