Sailing back to the future

Rekindling lost wonder and becoming a sailor again-due to necessity

- Dave Selby

Diesel Dan, my old mate, has diagnosed all sorts of problems with my engine. The impeller's shed a blade, something's up with the charging, apparently I've got diesel bug and he's off working on big boats in Majorca until mid-July.

I know what he's like so thought it best to check which year, but was a little downhearted when, with the certainty for which he's renowned, he said: "Probably this one." And to be truthful that's a little disappointing as he's given me the biggest gift I could ask for.

For thanks to Dan, I'm unplugged, off-grid and virtually ohmless, watching the sun go down in the anchorage off the shingle beach of Osea Island with no other company than my thoughts and memories, as