Easier than you think

MY two daughters, Samantha and Sallyanne were six and seven and, like myself, had never set foot on a sailing boat before. That was, until we all gingerly boarded a 35 foot Coronado ketch in Piraeus, Greece.

We were on an extended vacation from England, having driven to Greece in a small recreational vehicle, where we decided to charter a sailboat for a week to see the Islands. We were told we would not have to actually do anything because a crew of two comes with the boat. That was why we chose that boat, because none of us had any clue how to sail.

We had an absolutely marvellous time, day-sailing between islands dotted with pretty little villages and dining till late in waterfront estiatorios. The water was so amazingly clear and blue; both girls could swim until, by the time we left, they were like fishes.

I could tell partner Roger was in his element as well, soaking up everything the two American crew could tell him; although where that came from I do not know. We lived near Nottingham, which is hardly known for its nautical heritage.

It was during the long drive home that he first mentioned what was obviously on his mind: “you know all those boats we tied up next to in those super little villages? So many of them were Brits and lived on them”

He seemed to be choosing his words more carefully than usual, while not actually looking at me. I assumed it was because he was driving. “What would you think about us doing