A REDDITCH poet has swapped rhyming couplets for sea stories in his new book about his global adventures as a sailor.
The book by Peter Hill is an account of his life from his early sea voyages as a 16-year-old school leaver to his retirement from the sea at the age of 69.
Peter lived in a canalside cottage as a child and credits this as starting his love for the water.
At 16 years old he joined the Merchant Navy as a young cadet officer and retired in 2015.
Peter said: “As a 16-year-old, I exchanged my school uniform for my seaman’s kit.
“My first voyages as a school leaver embraced winter Arctic waters and left me with a taste for a seafaring adventure. There was never a dull moment at sea and I spent my 17th and 18th birthdays on board.”
Deep Seas and Tall Ships was written during lockdown and was inspired by authors Joseph Conrad and John Masefield.
Peter said: “I follow in the footsteps of my late mother, who also produced her own local social history 40 years ago, writing under her maiden name of Pat Warner.
“Her work was well received by local people. Her book entitled ‘Lock Keeper’s Daughter’ also resulted in fan mail from across the world.
“I hope my book is as well received as hers.”
Visit brewinbooks.com/deep_seas_and_tall_ships to purchase the book.
