West End chandlery Arthur Beale is presenting a talk by broadcaster, author and sailor Paul Heiney on the evening of the 7th of May from 18.45.
Paul will talk on his upcoming book One Wild Song – A Quick Dash for the Horn, which details his adventures sailing solo to Cape Horn
After his son committed suicide at the age of 23, Paul Heiney embarked on a journey he had hoped they would take together, to the infamous Cape Horn.
Armed with his son’s last and most poignant poem he set off on an adventure to find understanding, peace and to deal with the most unimaginable loss.
Paul set sail from England in 2011 in a modest family cruiser, and his his voyage took in the incredible peace of Andean glaciers, the unforgiving wilderness of the south Atlantic Ocean, and perhaps less predictably, spine-chilling fear moored by lonely Brazilian docksides.
After a round-trip of 18,000 miles – 11,000 of them alone – he came close to needing rescue not far from home.
The talk should provide an honest and open account of setting one’s own course, but should also prove poignant, moving, funny and thought-provoking.
Paul Heiney has been a TV and radio broadcaster for over 30 years, starting on BBC Radio 1 before moving to BBC Radio 4’s Today programme. He was a presenter on That’s Life! from 1978 until 1982, and more recently has presented Watchdog on BBC1. He currently presents the ITV prime-time show Countrywise.
The talk starts at 18:45 sharp – please arrive early – at Arthur Beale Ltd, 194 Shaftesbury Avenue, London WC2H 8JP. Booking is essential, and to do so pop into the shop, email talks@arthurbeale.co.uk or telephone 02078369034. Entrance is £5.00, but is waived if you buy purchases on the day amounting to more than £15.00.
Praise for Heiney’s soon-to-be-released book One Wild Song – A Voyage in a Lost Son’s Wake:
‘A terrific adventure into wild and distant waters, and a strong tribute to a son’s memory. Paul Heiney’s story is a new classic of small-boat seafaring and a fine description of the deep south.’ Sir Ranulph Fiennes
‘I have never read anything like it before and it still haunts me. A wonderfully told story of the sea, shot through with an author’s anguish at the loss of a beloved and hugely talented son.’ John Julius Norwich