"I have never thought that there is anything wrong living a life that others could not understand. In 1959 as a teenager, I saw the film, 'Tommy the Toreador' starring Tommy Steele, and like half the nation of teenagers at the time, I was taken with the urge to join the Merchant Navy and go to sea, like Tommy did. I even went as far as making inquiries, until it eventually dawned on me was that what I wanted at the time wasn't any of the experiences of being at sea, but all of the beautiful women one could meet and love on land, after the port had been reached.
In fact, I probably have weaker sea legs and stomach than anyone I know. Once the sea shows sign of the merest ripple, I start to gip and reach for a sick bag at the ready. To have the sea rage beneath my feet on board deck, would be hell on earth for me.
I first experienced sea sickness for three days during my week's voyage to Canada during the December month of 1963. Being unable to face the prospect of ever going to sea again, I flew back from Canada when I returned a few years later. I discovered then, that I didn't like flying one little bit either!
Then, during one holiday to Ireland, we went out to a small off-shore island by boat and during our twenty minute crossing, the weather changed for the worse and the boat started to rock and roll as it bobbed up and down in the angry waves. Naturally, not having the stomach, I was as sick as a dog. Upon reaching the Island, I found a public house where I laid down for our two hour stay before the boat took us back to County Mayo. By this time the weather had worsened and I was sick for the entire return journey.
I don't know what it is with me and choppy water, because of all of the paintings I love, seascapes and stormy seas are among my favourite scenes. I also love seeing the sea rage, so long as I am on dry land as I am watching.
One of my most pleasurable activities has always been rowing or being rowed in a boat upon the still waters beneath the arches of Knaresborough; one of my favourite places in the whole of England. Since my illness a few years ago, my hands pain constantly and my blood lacks enough oxygen to give me sufficient energy to row; hence my wife Sheila steers the boat these days. Come to think of it, she always has!
While I recognise that the need to control the life of another is the mark of a dysfunctional individual, to take control of a sinking ship, without ever possessing the urge to assume captaincy, takes a kind of strength that most people don't have to draw upon. Thank God my Sheila does. Today, all of my mental and physical energy goes into managing my illness from day to day and I leave the management of me to my good wife, Sheila.
In fact, with regard to any success in my life, I have always put down to having had a good woman beside me, whether it be wife or mother; and if it be both, then I knew that I was twice blessed. Sheila and I don't argue as such; we have disagreements. Sometimes I think she reacts too seriously to off the cuff comments I might make, to which I might smile at her and say, 'Lighten up, lass, I'm only joshing you. You know, if you have one fault, it's that you can't take a joke.' Then, all she has to do is point at me, which reminds me that she can take a joke; she took me!" September 15th, 2016.