The Real Life of Brian Barnes

Over a number of years many people, including my close family, have suggested that I should write about my life experiences. Especially after I have been holding court over a drink or two, I have always been able to tell a true story that I have personally experienced on almost any topic of conversation. I am sure that I have bored the pants off many people in the process! Yet they all appear to enjoy the stories and come back for more. I was persuaded by my good friend and physiotherapist Campbell MacIntosh to record a series of talks for the Talking Newspaper for the Blind, about sailing my 34ft yacht Stratagem round the world. I had recorded a number of hours and reached Australia when Campbell died of cancer. I did complete the talks and since then I have gone on to record many aspects of my life.
With the notes that I have produced for each talk I have amassed a lot of information all of which has surprised even me. I had not realized just what I have experienced in what feels like only a short period of time.
I have started to look at myself, my family and friends, and my way of life in a new light. I am now 80 years of age and yet I feel and think the same as I did when ever I recollect any aspect of my life; at school, the war, the Olympic Games, or sailing round the world and setting off from Ecuador on my 65th birthday. I can recall it all as if they were yesterday.
I have now started to ask why am I who I am? What made me into the person that I am today? What influenced me? What, if anything would I have changed? Can I, by telling the story as it seems to me, influence my grandchildren, and, if I can, should I?
If nothing else it will be a record of the past 80 years as seen by a young boy born in a council house in 1934 who grew up on Greenlands Estate Preston and spent his first 21years there.
My family will be asked to contribute a chapter each at the end so long as they agree to write the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth.