Showing the youngsters how it's done!

Congratulations to Anthony Smith, 85, who with three crewmates (all between 56 and 61) has just sailed across the Atlantic aboard a raft made from old pipes. The Daily Mail reports:

Anthony Smith, from London, spent 66 days at sea with three 'mature' crewmates before guiding his 40-ft vessel into a marina on the Caribbean island of St Maarten yesterday.

. . .

Their raft An Tiki was made of water supply pipes and corrugated iron, but also fitted with modern navigation equipment for the 2,800 mile voyage.




The grandfather said: 'Some people say it was mad. But it wasn't mad. What else do you do when you get on in years?'

He recruited his team with a newspaper advert that read: 'Fancy rafting across the Atlantic? Famous traveller requires 3 crew. Must be OAP. Serious adventurers only.'

Among those who responded was David Hildred, a civil engineer who lives in the British Virgin Islands John Russell, 61, and Andrew Bainbridge.

They aimed to raise £50,000 for the international charity WaterAid.

Mr Smith said he paid for the trip with compensation money he received after being hit by a van which broke his hip.

. . .

The raft was built with four water supply pipes nearly 40 feet long, and 14 cross pipes. Seven pipes held the crew's fresh water supply. The raft also had a nearly 40-foot long mast and a 400-square-foot sail.

Twin rudders provided the steering, along with centerboards and two oars.

It traveled at an average speed of 4 knots, with the crew taking turns to keep watch when they were not reading or playing cards.

There's more at the link.

I love stories like this! They prove the spirit of adventure is not yet dead. I hope Mr. Smith has many more years of health remaining to him, to show other older folks that just because the clock is creeping towards midnight, there's no reason to lie down and wait for the dark. Life's there to be enjoyed - so take great big bites of it, and "do not go gently into that good night"!

The crew set up a Web site to document their adventure, and you can also read more about them on the Web site of the charity for which they raised money, WaterAid.

Peter