"My grandfather, David Davies, New Quay Sailing Ship Master. Hard man, ear bitten in a fight. Ashore buying stamps, beautiful post mistress. No time to lose, marriage and sailing around the world together four times in The Maxwell.
Austin, son of David, sailing ship apprentice in the Bermuda. Hard man in a hard life and a wet one too. Ashore shooting rabbits, no rabbits, but cupid's arrow through the heart of the beautiful Sarah, nurse in the First World War. No time to lose; wedlock. Four children and a Singer Six car to transport them.
Austin, Master Mariner, Trinity House pilot. No problems on a big ship on a foggy night through the Goodwin Sands. But double declutch or reversing in the Singer car, violent oaths learned rounding the horn.
Me, Tudor, soft man. "Never go to sea, son," says Austin.
National Service; the Royal Navy's the choice. A coal burning trawler? That wasn't in the plan. Destination: Stornoway, in the Outer Hebrides. Where on earth can that be? Meets a local beauty, Rosemary, all in Harris Tweed, no time to lose."