Old Man Sailing: Some dreams take a lifetime

by John Passmore

When COVID-19 struck the UK, the government advised the over-70’s to “shield” while the country went into Lockdown. One old man went sailing instead. Single-handed and self-isolated, retired journalist John Passmore used the pandemic to achieve an ambition which had eluded him for 60 years. For 3,629 miles, he disappeared into a world of perfect solitude, adventure and adversity – arriving back 42 days later, short of water and with shredded sails to find himself celebrated on national radio as the embodiment of everybody’s Lockdown dream. This is his story. It is also a story for anyone who ever thought a dream was unattainable.A word-of-mouth bestseller - Yachting MonthlyAmazon S. Percy5.0 out of 5 stars A captivating story for sailors and landlubbers alikeThis was a genuinely fascinating read, sharp and pragmatic yet with due deference to the romanticism of the sea. The author is a retired journalist and is clearly adept at putting down his thoughts and observations in a very readable way. I'm a sailor but my wife is most definitely not but we both enjoyed it immensely.Skipper3.0 out of 5 stars Not what the title says.If you were expecting a story of a bumbling naive weekend sailor setting off into the great unknown to test himself this is not it. The author is clearly an accomplished yachtsman who set off in his well-founded and tested yacht on a journey which he had done before-so the sense of adventure is never really there in spite of low water supplies and torn sails. However, the story of the journey serves as a reference to some of the more exciting parts of his sailing biography. All in a good read told with modesty and wit.Greenwave5.0 out of 5 stars Great read whether a fellow sailor or an armchair dreamerWhat really comes over in this book is the character and nature of the 'old man sailing'. He feels very real and tells it how it is and was.Richard Keen5.0 out of 5 stars Age is not a problem!This is a charming book. Amusing, informative and also reflective.Des Owen5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent ReadWell-written book, a most enjoyable read. Knowledgeable and experienced sailor with a passion for writing and storytelling. Will lookout for his next book. Well done, you didn’t disappoint.Mark5.0 out of 5 stars Absorbing sailing storyToo many sailing yarns are disappointing because the author doesn’t know how to tell a good story. Especially self-published ones. This is different. John Passmore can write, really well. Which I guess you would expect from a former Fleet Street hack. It’s really good stuff, entertaining and inspiring. Not a dull moment in it.Mr G Gillies5.0 out of 5 stars A joy from start to finish.John’s skilled writing had me hooked from the first page. This book was an absolute joy from start to finish. John’s way of describing his adventure in such wonderful detail really gave me a clear picture of this whole adventure. It was a heartwarming and at times funny read and one I would heartily recommend.

246 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 22, 2021

Reviews

[GEORGINA PASSMORE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Okay, so I am John‘s sister Georgie. I am nevertheless writing a review because I admire my brothers’ attitude to life with risk and also his phenomenal memory of the family early years which I had partially forgotten, so it was fun to revisit my own life. The family sailing influence was very strong in me too, such that I married a Greek artist who lived in Paris and helped him finish building his own one-design 25-footer which we launched in 1969 on the Seine and from there set sail for Greece, where she island-hopped happily around the Aegean for many years, and I believe is still afloat. Well done bruv!

[Daniel Jackson · Rating 5 out of 5]

5.0 out of 5 stars Love of Sailing
I really liked this book for many reasons. First John and I are about the same age, so I can relate to a lot of the things he writes about. Secondly, his love of sailing in quite evident, His love of family is also brought out. I big thing is he shows the mundane parts of sailing, the gripping parts, the wonderful parts.
One of the greatest moments in my life was at Ambergus Key in Belize in the 1980's. Everyone in the town was at Captain Loco's Bar partying til dawn. As the sun came up the fellow next to me (whom I had been drinking and conversing with all night, stood up and yelled "time my children". With that, the band quit, everyone in the place filed out and went next door to a small chapel. The Preist (surprise to me my drinking buddy) opened the door and every single person who was at the bar (everyone- customers, bartenders, servers, cooks and me) filed in. The chapel was a very simple one, but I did notice the double doors on the back (behind the alter) matched the entrance doors at the front. With everyone inside, the Preist held up his hands and signaled for quiet. He then opened the doors behind the alter and shouted as the sun arose "Good morning God! All of your children are here to thank you for the blessing you have bestowed on us!" With that everyone let out a loud cheer, started kissing and hugging everyone around them. All to the tune of one beautiful sunrise slowly climbing up over the alter. If I had not been sailing than this memory would never have happened. This memory can never be taken away from me, lost or destroyed. It is treasured forever in my mind. To sail is to experience life it its fullness. John and I are of the same mind. He said he wants to circumnavigate the world when he hits 90. I'd like to race him.

[Mrs Olga A Danes-Volkov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really super read

Tormented by insomnia I read this in one go last night, appreciative to have such s good read. As an aficionado of sailing books I know only too well that not all are well written.

This account of the author taking off in his old Rival 32 Samsara to escape the Lockdowns spina along helped by John Passmore's self deprecating wit. Of course some things are very challenging and some he sorts out with relative ease but it all makes for an excellent read
Highly recommended.

[Jane King · Rating 5 out of 5]

One has to be a sailor to be able to decipher much of what goes on in the book. As a sailor and owner of a sailboat for many years this book was enjoyable and entertaining as an American appreciating British wit. Many of the situations the author gets into and resolves in one way or the other have been experienced by my husband, the Captain and me. The many many frustrations and joys of sailing are well described in this book. Looking forward to the next one,

[Nelson Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title resonated with me

That was enough for me to acquire the book as I am finally realizing the dream myself. It was definitely an entertaining read I have enjoyed as I live on the Cal I purchased 2 years ago as I prepare to head off myself. The book was a bit different than I initially expected, but was a fun and informative read. And I think anyone contemplating purchasing a cruising catamaran should read chapters 4 and 5 of this book for some perspective.

[Thomas L. George · Rating 4 out of 5]

steady hand at the tiller

If you share his addiction to sailing you are of a kind. Not a single thing goes wrong at a time. Three things go wrong simultaneity. You sit up in the buggy….do what you can and soldier on. It has made my life enthralling.
The sea, like God, puts us to the test. T. George

[Julian Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fabulously lyrical book, part biography, part travel, all enjoyment.

The author meanders through his travel during lockdown, alone on his yacht, with beautifully told anecdotes and descriptions, while at times randomly flitting between episodes of his life, and real-time adventures on board.

A lovely read for anyone - no interest in sailing is required.

Great stuff.

[Mark Hurley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tells it like it is

John style had me full with admiration and laughter in parts. Sailing is a struggle of enjoyment and worry at times while you attempt to be ready for or predict the next event.
A few parts I was lost. But mostly due to my own lack of geography of where and just when he stopped and turned back towards home.
Still I found the book a great read.

[Doug · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s been a while since I read a sailing adventure and I enjoyed this as the author had some good writing skills and didn’t just list his days like in a log book. He introduced some interesting stories along the way. If you are a sailor, you will enjoy this book, particularly if you are an older sailor. Proving it’s never too late!😎

[Andy Gray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slightly self deprecating, this captures quite well what it is about sailing that makes people do it. Spoiler: sailing, in particular sailing solo, is an exercise is Mindfulness. It has to be, as you really are fully present all the time you are at sea!

[Joep · Rating 4 out of 5]

For me one the most interesting and amusing books on solo sailing around the UK and on the Atlantic. Huge respect for John Passmore how he handles all the things which breakdown when you are more than 24 hours away from the shore.

[David Uebel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pleasant read

This one is a easy, un-presuming, but not uninteresting read. Told in a off-hand, conversational way and sparing no bit of self-depreciating humor.
It was quite enjoyable.

[Andrew Egan · Rating 5 out of 5]

John’s Covid Lockdown

A simple honest book, almost what I did on my holidays, except this was lockdown. While some decisions John made seem somewhat rash, in those days of Covid everybody was a little mad. I enjoyed it.

[Mrs L Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this candid approach to describing one man's adventures aboard a small sailboat. He is resourceful, a bit bonkers and inspiring all in one. A thoroughly good read. Thank you John Passmore

[Philip Mckee]

Very enjoyable and a great story of an old bloke making an epic adventure of his lockdown and forced isolation.

[Matt Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

What a wonderful story. Have sailed a bit myself, how nice to re-live some of the same issues from an armchair in a warm room with a huge smile. Thank you John.

[Holly Hollar · Rating 5 out of 5]

charming, funny and exciting to read

Recommend this book to my prospective or current sailor looking for a fun read about an adventure filled pandemic boondoggle.

[Marco Schaal · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is one of the refreshing books written with humour and a sense of sailing. Everybody have life dreams. Some of them fulfil it some of them dream a whole lifetime. Well done, book! Cheers

[R J FRETTEN · Rating 5 out of 5]

some of us dream, whilst some of us do.

Whilst some of us are staying at home and dreaming, an amazing few are doing. A fascinating yarn of dreams and realities.

[Susie Rangel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this one!