'Super' talk on epic sailing expedition to South Shetlands

There was a full house at Kingsclere Community Library as 30 residents turned out for a special talk by skipper Angus Cater on his expedition to the South Shetland Islands.

Mr Cater was confined to a sailing boat for three to four weeks on the 2007 trip, which had followed in the footsteps of his friend, Simon Richardson, and the legendary sailor/mountaineer, Bill Tilman.

The pair had attempted the same feat in 1977 on the converted Dutch tugboat, En Avant, but they and the crew disappeared somewhere between Rio de Janeiro and the Falklands en route to Mount Foster on Smith Island, to the north of the Antarctic peninsula.

Mr Cater subsequently wrote a book on his expedition, called Harrac Goes South, named after his classic yawl, Harrac, which also detailed his climb up Mount Foster.

On Tuesday, June 14, Mr Cater gave a talk on this book, which made around £90 for the library’s coffers.

Mr Cater was interviewed by Tracey Lethbridge, a friend who enjoys sailing and who had read his book, and after the talk, wine was served while Mr Cater signed copies of the book.

Kingsclere Library Committee member Sarah Davis said: “The event went very well – one person said it was a super talk.

“Angus sold 10 copies of his book and the talk generated lots of questions from the floor, and he engaged very well with the audience.”