Solitaire Spirit

There's something about the journey of self discovery in a circumnavigation that is compelling to read about. It is diluted somewhat by the publicity requirements imposed by sponsors; think Jessica Watson.
But imagine if someone just decided, off the cuff, to sail around the world?
Les Powles did - with only eight hours of sailing experience!
This is a great book. Les and his self-built boat, Solitude, are true partners. He talks to his boat regularly, and displays an intuitive understanding of the sea and the art of sailing. (I've used the word art deliberately here, rather than craft. I was delighted to find the owner of one of my favourite sailing quotes appear in this book: Webb Chiles - check my last blog to read his quote and all will become clear!)
Les Powles is a real character. Of limited budget and unlimited humour, imagine his surprise when, on his first voyage, he lands in Brazil instead of the Caribbean - a mere 1000 miles off course!
I laughed out loud at some of his recollections.  On one occasion, after being alone at sea for a considerable period, he meets another boat and greets them standing on the bow of Solitude with a nine iron in his hand. The visitors ask him for directions. His response is that he can't help them because 'he hasn't played this course before'. Needless to say, the occupants of the other boat thank him somewhat hesitantly as they change direction to head away from Solitude and her somewhat eccentric skipper.
Les started sailing in his fifties and has been around the world three times now. At the time of writing the book he was 86 and living permanently on his boat in Lymington Yacht Haven, England. I would love to drop by for a cuppa and a chat.