I
was born under the sign of Pisces; so being on water is
very prominent in my life.
Growing up in the Lancashire countryside
near the Lancaster canal gave me the opportunity to own
a boat from a young age. Starting with a canoe, then a
dinghy and onto a small cruiser, earning the money from
our local boatyard cleaning and helping repair and maintain
boats, it was a great time.
On my 30th
birthday everything was suddenly brought to the fore.
As a treat from my girlfriend and parents the family
and some friends enjoyed the “Sail
n Dine” experience, what a wonderful evening. Next
day Dad treated me to my first real sailing lesson with
John and Judie aboard “Excalibur”.
The beginning of a friendship and my dream
of a life of sailing.
In no time
at all and after several more lessons I bought my own
yacht “Twilight II” a
24-foot Jeanneau Sun Odyssey. Dad and I spent every spare
hour sailing the length and breadth of Windermere gaining
experience in every weather condition from being rugged
up with thick socks and layers of sweaters in thick snow,
to shorts and shirts in the height of summer.
On the theory side I have been studying for the last two
years obtaining my yacht master certificate, which although
extremely difficult at times has also been very rewarding
and satisfying.
Whilst all
this has been going on I have slowly but surely decided
I am ready for a change of career, after 14 years in
the very competitive car industry it is now time for
me to pursue a career in sailing. Through the continued
friendship, guidance and encouragement from John and
Judie and the help my family have always given, (especially
Mum’s cooking skills that I am working
to perfect!), I now feel ready to take up the challenge
of “Sail n Dine” and take over from John and
Judie. I will be cooking locally sourced food from Lancashire
and Cumbria served with specially selected fine wines.
I look forward to welcoming new friends, sailing and entertaining
on Lake Windermere from May 2008 on my magnificent new
yacht “Maddie Too”.
Qualifications:
RYA Dayskipper shorebased
RYA /MCA Shorebased Coastal skipper & Yachtmaster Offshore
SLDC Full lake boatmans licence
STCW First aid
Level 2 award in food safety in catering
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