When Countrywise presenter Paul Heiney's son Nicholas committed suicide aged 23, Paul and his wife, Times columnist Libby Purves, were rocked to the core. Nicholas had been a highly gifted promising young man, albeit he had struggled to keep his head above water at times as severe depression slowly dragged him down over many years. Nicholas was a keen sailor, with several of his posthumously-published writings having a nautical theme. To try to reconnect with this happier memory of his son, Paul decides to set out - alone - on a voyage he would have liked them to have embarked upon together. Cape Horn is the sailor's Everest. One of the most remote and bleak parts of the world, it takes courage, physical strength and mental fortitude to face its tempestuous seas, violent winds and barren landscape. During the voyage Paul finds a peace of mind and a way to face the future without his son. Poignant, moving, funny, thought provoking and beautifully written, Paul's account of setting his own course through seemingly insurmountable grief makes for a powerful story. Injected with humour, perceptiveness and philosophy, recounting his highs, lows, frustrations and triumphs, the honesty and openness of Paul's story makes this very personal account a universal tale.

Author Biography

Paul Heiney has been a TV and radio broadcaster for over 30 years, starting on Radio 1 before working on Radio 4's Today programme. He was a presenter on That's Life! from 1978 until 1982, and more recently has presented Watchdog on BBC 1. He currently presents the ITV primetime show Countrywise. He wrote a weekly column for The Times for 7 years about working 40 acres traditionally with Suffolk Punch horses. He has written over a dozen books, both fiction and non-fiction. His popular science book, Can Cows Walk Downstairs?, has been a bestseller in 15 languages.