Lost halliard

When the halliard of the genoa - a big foresail - came loose, there was only one remedy - go up to the top of the mast and fix it. The sailor who took on the task, in a sea with a heavy cross-swell so that the boat was pitching and rolling more than a little, tackled the job with equanimity, while everyone else on board used up a year's supply of adrenaline, helping from deck level or just watching.

He's 70, and later this year will be "taking a year off" to wander around the Atlantic and the Mediterranean! So for those of us who are prepared to "retire" at 60, quite a role model, don't you think?