J. D. Sleightholme (1921–2003)

nautobiography of one of best known/loved characters

I found this book hugely enjoyable. Des Sleightholme has an irreverent view of life which he has lived to the full. It all comes down to the absolute necessity in the beginning of getting into anything that would or, on many occasions, would not float. There is an irrepressible spirit about everything he does which I found captivating. Whether he is on a Hull boating lake spending half his pocket money – three pence – for half an hour on the park boating lake (‘Coom in number nine’), sailing at last with grandpa on Wootton Creek in a fourteen foot half decker, (‘peak up and wrinkly your nock man’), or skipper with the Island Cruising Club, (clientele ninety percent raw beginners – maybe a couple of fast learners – the rest brought fishing rods, opera glasses and golf umbrellas – no life jackets, harnesses, life rats or radios). It is a hilarious romp, (with Sod’s Law, you can be sure that if you feel strongly about something, the opposite will happen).… (altro)