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When Sandy Mackinnon set of through the waterways of England towards Gloucester in a Mirror dinghy, he little imagined he would find himself crossing the English Channel, the river systems of Europe, and eventually the Black Sea, on an adventure full of friendly strangers, amazing scenery and even a threat to his life.

Listen here to Sarah's Conversation with Sandy MacKinnon

Sandy was teaching at a school in the English countryside when he sold almost all his belongings and set off in a Mirror dinghy, intending to sail as far as Gloucester.

He enjoyed his river voyage so much, he decided to keep going.

Sandy's journey took him through locks, across the English Channel, and eventually into the great river systems of Europe, and then, the Black Sea.

Along the way he encountered strangers who showed him great kindness, and some who threatened to kill him.

This episode of Conversations contains discussions about England, English countryside, boarding schools, teaching, travel, European travel, sailing, boating, paddling, rowing, canals, locks, the English Channel, France, Romania, rivers, the Black Sea, the Thames, autobiographies, memoirs, authors, writing, adventure books, yachts, The Unlikely Voyage of the Jack de Crow, Pith helmets, small boats.

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