David Collinson comes from a shoe making and retailing background. His family shoemaking business began in 1811. He is married to Alison and they have two children. Tragically, their first child, Michael, to whom this book is dedicated, never recovered from a heart operation at the age of 14. Their second son now works for the London Fire Service and their daughter is a heart nurse. They feel lucky to also have two great grandchildren, a girl and a boy.
The book deals with most of his sailing experience but mingled with his sailing was a career in the army. He was assigned to the Kings Liverpool Regiment but later posted to the 1st Battalion of the South Lancashire Regiment. At that time the battalion was serving in the Free State of Trieste. From Trieste posted to the Sudan and Khartoum he enjoyed sailing and was in charge of the Signals Platoon, responsible for all the communications for the Battalion.
He has never regretted his Army Service. It was a wonderful opportunity to visit many places which he otherwise would never have seen.
