Now there's a truly Welsh word that I never heard or felt as a kid, or indeed until after I had found my niche on the ship after quite a lot of trips.

Then I felt it for the whole Island of Britain whether returning home north-about or south-about. The first clear view of rocks and grass where houses and cars could be distinguished on the cliffs told me I was arriving in Britain, not Wales.

Yes, I knew that was born in Wales but my affinity lay with the land, the cliffs and the coasts of the whole damned island.

Call it a mariner's hiraeth if you will, probably a function of a truly global perspective brought about by seafaring. Nothing better than saltwater to clean a soul of parochialism.

Beverly.