Posted by Stan Strickland on June 09, 1999 at 23:59:06 from webcache02b.cache.pol.co.uk:
I was amazed to discover the interest in Arthur Ransome on the Internet throughout the world, particularly Japan. Have any of your contributors met Arthur Ransome. I met him when I was a about 14 years old in the 1950's although I am ashamed to admit to not really knowing who he was at the time.
Each year I used to travel to the English Lake District for a summer holiday (vacation). I went with my parents, my brother and usually an aunt and uncle. We stayed in a caravan (mobile home) at Black Beck Caravan Park in Bouth, near Newby Bridge.
It was customary each evening for the adults to go for a drink each evening at the Angler's Arms Public House in nearby Haverthwaite. The 'Pub' was picturesquely situated overlooking the valley of the River Leven and my brother and I would sit in the car outside with my dad bringing us a regular supply of crisps (potato chips) and lemonade. Although it was situated on the main road to Barrow traffic was light in the fifties and I still recall the quietness of those evenings with great nostalgia.
One very pleasant evening we were sat outside the Angler's Arms when a distinguished looking gentleman came up the steps into the pub car park. He was obviously just returning from fishing in the River Leven. I remember he was wearing plus fours and tweeds and was dressed very much in the manner of a 'country gentleman.' I seem to remember him as a rather tall man, certainly he was very imposing. He touched his hat and wished us all a very 'good evening' and disappeared into the pub.
When my dad went back into the pub he learned that that the gentleman was in fact 'Arthur Ransome, the author.' In later years I learned more about him and read his books, I also learned he lived in Haverthwaite with his Russian wife. He is one of the few famous people I have met who are not football (soccer) players, the only other one I can recall is Johnny Cash!