Andrew Simpson

I was born in India during the Second World War. After the family was repatriated to the UK six years later, I was launched on a somewhat eccentric educational path that, in 1953, landed me on the deck of the training ship Mercury, then moored on the Hamble River.

A few weeks prior to my seventeenth birthday, I was off to sea as a cadet in the Merchant Navy — a career I pursued with considerable enjoyment until 1962

First married in 1968, and with son Angus making his surprise appearance, I started designing and building boats. In 1974, after the miners' strike that did so much damage to so many small businesses, my then wife and I sailed our trimaran Whisky Jack to the United States with the children (now including Claire) following by air.

We lived and worked in Texas until 1978, during which time I contributed articles to many of the American yachting magazines. In 1978 I was divorced and, some months later, met Chele who has been my wife, friend and most agreeable sailing companion ever since. We sailed to the West Indies where we dallied for nearly a year.

Chele had never been to Europe which seemed a good enough reason to return to the UK in 1979. When we're not sailing, we're now based in Poole, a busy harbour town on England's south coast.

Angus has taken over the boat-building business while I continue to write and design. For nearly seven years I was Associate Editor of Practical Boat Owner — Britain's most widely read sailing magazine. I have also written a number of books and radio plays — the latter under the nom-de-plume Andrew Lind.

During our travels our 39ft (12m) cutter Shindig is both our second home and floating office. To join us wherever we might be, go the  Cruising Blog.