Poetry

Shine not burn.
MacKenzie Crest – Earl of Ross and Cromarty, Lord Kintail, Inverness, Scottish Highlands.
Riding the wind on fugitives’ dreams,
Sailing the senses on love-coloured streams.
Still lingers that kiss of love’s hapless suite,
And the memory of stealing forbidden fruit.
Graham Hitch











“There is a strange foreboding in the sea, it crashes hard upon our hearts, and wakens memories of shipwrecked dreams”. – Writer in dispute, public domain.

It was in a storm similar to this on the 8th December 1954, that the Scarborough lifeboat was launched to assist a local fishing boat that was taking in water about 4 miles offshore and at risk of losing propulsion. The lifeboat found the vessel and took her in tow heading back for the harbour on a long tow line which was gradually shortened as they turned the outward breakwater to make the best speed run into the harbour entrance. Unfortunately, the tow rope had been hauled in too short and a receding wave from the harbour wall, combined with an incoming breaker hit the lifeboat broadside on and she turned turtle. The new “self-righting” boat was due to replace the old boat the following February. Sadly three of the crew below deck were trapped and drown. The crew of the fishing boat were all brought ashore safely.
Sixty years on, a plaque is being dedicated to the three brave crewmen who lost their lives. It takes a true hero to risk his life voluntarily for strangers with no expectation of reward or recognition. — RIP










Two weeks before we sailed, we were told by my friend and Specialist that I had a very rare cancer, probably would not survive the trip and that Sher should double up on our medical cover – still here Joe!

Memento Mori – “remember one day you will die”, so make the living worth it.
There is a strange foreboding in the sea,
It crashes hard upon our hearts,
And wakens memories of shipwrecked dreams.



















