Tuning in…
Tuning in…
Castaway
1 appearance
A sailor who became the first person to sail single-handed nonstop around the world, and later made a voyage using only 500-year-old navigational instruments.
On the island
Eight records
Symphony No. 6 in F major, Op. 68 'Pastoral'
When you actually listen to this particular piece, I mean, just lean back and think of the sea and just think of those waves just quietly, constantly moving. And I can listen to it at home and think of the sea, and that's why I like it.
I do admire people who can [sing], and I think one of the most beautiful pieces of music I know is the duet from the Pearlfishers, the male duet, and I'd love to have that with me.
Land of Hope and GloryFavourite
London Symphony Chorus, Northern Symphonia
I shall want something that's going to make me get up and go. And I'm very proud of the heritage of this country… And they always say that there's only one song when all Britain's hearts beat as one, and that's Land of Hope and Glory.
I'm rather proud of the Beatles. I'm rather proud of the fact that Suddenly Britain dominated pop music. So I'd love to take along with me She Loves You.
it brings back some nice memories of friends I've sailed with in various races or cruises.
I remember Aida with great affection. I think one of the nicest love songs I know is Celeste Aida, and If You've Got It by Pavarotti, even better.
Where the Flowers Till They Fade
I've always loved Trial by Jury ever since, particularly that lovely little song, Where the Flowers Till They Fade.
We had this particular record that was top of the pops at the time and we just kept playing it and playing it and it's Crackling Rosie by Neil Diamond.
In conversation
Presenter asks
1:52When you think about your times out in the wild, do you dream about peace and beauty on those kinds of islands, or do you dream about the tempest and the danger? What is it you yearn for?
When I go to sea, I certainly don't yearn for tempests and dangers. I mean, I go to sea'cause I like being at sea, and that's rather hard to explain briefly. Uh it's just the joy, I think, of being on your own in an ocean, which is always changing, and it's it is peaceful usually. I mean, the times when it's not so nice, but on the whole it's pretty good.
Presenter asks
6:41But were there moments, nevertheless, when you were alone in your boat with your five hundred year old instruments that you thought, my golly, this is a bit dodgy?
Yes, because the instrument couldn't tell me my longitude, i. e. how far I'd gone along towards the on the track to America. And when we got into the Sagasso Sea it blocked my log, which rotates behind me, so I had no idea of the distance I'd covered. So I had to go back to his method for that too, which is basically looking at the sea and timing bubbles going past the boat.
Presenter asks
20:11The keepsakes
The book
Not recorded.
The luxury
Video recorder and television with a tape of the Queen Mother's birthday parade
What I'd like is a video recorder and a uh television on which I can put the tape of the Queen Mother's birthday parade because I did so enjoy it. Now I'm quite happy to peddle the generator for this. I don't mind having to pedal it when I put it on. But really everything I like was there. We had the military music which I love and we had the chats marching, they looked so smart, and then all those people obviously enjoying themselves marching past, and the Queen Mum looked marvellous, and the whole thing, I just sat there and watched the whole thing through and was perfectly happy throughout. So that's what I'd like.
What about loneliness? Is there a time when solitude turns into loneliness, when you just ache for company?
Nowadays, no, it doesn't, quite honestly. I'm perfectly happy out at sea on my own. It just doesn't worry me. I think of things and find things to do and I'm really quite content.
Presenter asks
22:09What about fear? Do you know fear?
Oh, certainly. I think the person who tries to claim that they don't know fear is either inhuman or a bloody liar, frankly.
Presenter asks
24:50How difficult was it after all the excitement and the hero's welcome was over, and you'd got your land legs back? There must be a huge social problem of just getting back to being with people after being alone for so long.
It was no problem initially, first two or three days, no problem at all. Then I was beginning to feel the strain of having all these people around. And we did the best possible thing. As it happens, it wasn't intentional. Some friends and I got in the boat and sailed around to London, and it was those six or so days just going round the coast together with people I knew my brother was there as well. who I trusted totally. Just got me back to normal. By the time we got back to London I felt fine. I never had any problems afterwards.
Presenter asks
32:35There's a large dollop of Boy Scout in there, isn't there? Do you feel there's part of you that still hasn't, and perhaps never will, grow up?
And yeah, I'm not sure. That's a bit below the belt, that one. I haven't thought about it. Perhaps in some ways there is. On the other hand, you know, you can't go to sea without being totally practical about it. I mean, you don't joke with the sea. It's not a place for joking. You can't lie to the sea. It'll soon see you at.
“I think like most people, you know, I forget the very nasty bits, and that's why I keep going back.”
“I'd never thought about it. Um I've always assumed somehow I'll bounce through the other end.”
“Part of me was saying, Super, I'm gonna see everyone again, you know, my close family and friends. The other part of me was saying, Why, you know, I'm very happy out here, I don't particularly want to stop. Why can't I just go on?”
“I blame the sea only partially. I blame a young man who had something to get out of his system for the rest of it, frankly.”
“You can't go to sea without being totally practical about it. I mean, you don't joke with the sea. It's not a place for joking. You can't lie to the sea.”