If you are keen on dinghy sailing and looking for adventure, this is a book to accompany you through the summer months ahead. It is full of sound advice from Roger Barnes who learnt to sail on Windermere in Cumbria and is now President of the Dinghy Cruising Association. He has written for Classic Boat, Watercraft, Dinghy Sailing Magazine and currently writes for Classic Sailor.
Roger emailed me to ask if I had a photograph of us sailing Swallow without life jackets. I supplied him with this shot my mother took in 1973 since I am standing in the dinghy. I am not sure how we managed to go about when we sailed off, as it also contained the parrot’s cage.
I will certainly take The Dinghy Cruising Companion with me if I manage to get Swallow to Brittany in the near future. As you can see from the cover Roger often takes his own boat to regattas in France.
I bought my copy of Roger’s paperback online but it’s available from all good bookshops. To find out about sailing Swallow, the dinghy used in the 1974 film of Swallows and Amazons, please click here for Sail Ransome.
Last weekend we had the IAGM of The Arthur Ransome Society in Dumfries. Why not join this literary society who organise great events and summer camps. If you are not able to get out and about there is a wonderful Arthur Ransome Group on Facebook
To read my own article for Classic Sailor please click here
Sophie Neville 
Hi Sophie and Simon, Hope you are both ‘reasonably’ OK – getting old – Ugh!! How is Simon’s health ? I’ve had an awful year with my Atopic Dermatitis condition. Just wondering and hoping the current condition isn’t going to compromise Dumfries this weekend.
My boat, Nora C Lee, I am assured by Alan Fuller, will be ready for the all important date of Sunday 10th July when she will Parade through Wheathampstead’s Village High St for the Village Day event. At the event she will be initially called ‘The Tempest’ with a crew cast from Shakespearian character. I’m hoping that friend Annie will turn out as Miranda – I’ll be Prospero. After the Parade the boat will be re named Nora C Lee and either dipped in the River Lee or doused with Lee waters down at the Meads by the Forge Building. The theme for this years Village Weekend is anything to do with William Shakespeare.
I think I saw Swallow in the one of Robertson’s sheds two weeks ago when Nancy was supposed to be fitted out.
Looking forward to seeing you both at the weekend,
Best wishes, John. PS Attached is a pic of the names plates that are almost ready to take to Woodbridge where Alan will get the lettering done in Gold Leaf.
I look forward to seeing you in Dumfries! So sorry to hear about your passing affliction, but worry not.
Even though I don’t have a dinghy this book looks very interesting. I shall be purchasing a copy, thank you for bringing it to my attention.
It’s a beautifully illustrated book and makes a great present.