Posted by Russell Barnes on December 01, 1998 at 21:33:17:
In Reply to: Re: Are there any South African TARS out there? posted by Lionel Hill on November 05, 1998 at 02:07:55:
Of course! There must be many of us!
I just thought I'd answer this as I've just connected to the Internet for the first time yesterday, and a "cruise" around the Arthur Ransome pages is a must!
For myself, to explain, I've grown up on AR after finding my mother's six old books she got in the 1930s as a child ("Picts and Martyrs" is a first impression).
I was also exceedingly fortunate to work for the Batty Family at Bank Ground Farm at Coniston in 1988 (six months) and 1989 (one month). BGF is, of course, the Swallows' "Holly Howe", and I was also able to befriend Brigit and John Sanders (Bridget Walker in the books) during this period.
My mother was lucky enough to have grown up sailing at Zeekoe Vlei in Cape Town, and after a deprived Johannesburg childhood (sailing-wise), I am now trying to catch up by sailing at Midmar Dam near Howick, where I live. Alas, my boat more resembles "Swallow" after John sailed too close to Pike Rock at the moment!