Many years ago, just after I left college, I went through a period of unemployment, which meant I spent a lot of time at home with my parents.

My dad was a keen sailor and had ordered a new sail for his boat. He had originally asked them to deliver it at home, but then decided to have it delivered to Hardway, near Gosport, where the boat was moored.

Not long after he and Mum set off for Gosport, I received a delivery – one sail. I knew they needed it, but in those days I couldn’t drive, so, having got my giro cheque cashed at a post office near the station, I caught the train to Portsmouth Harbour having no idea whether I would catch them or not.

After crossing the harbour on the ferry, I got a bus to Hardway, feeling very tense because I still didn’t know whether they were even there, or if they had gone to chase this sail up elsewhere. There were no mobile phones in 1982!

They were standing by the car in the road that ran alongside the harbour. I called out, and held up the box the sail was in. They were delighted to see me and congratulated me on my initiative.

It could have been so very different if I had missed them. They would have got home to find me, and their precious sail missing. I would have had to return by public transport, and the trip would have been a waste of time.

As it was, I got a lift home once the sail was installed, and possibly lunch out as well!