Raft Adventure

Just what I needed while being 'challenged' by a bout of sinusitis!  An interview on the radio with 78-year-old Anthony Smith  who has put an advertisment in a London newspaper for three over-65's to join him on an Atlantic crossing.  On a raft.  A 25 by 40 foot raft made from yellow gas pipes, if I understood correctly.  He plans to start next December in the Canary Islands and be "escalatered" along a route that he hopes will get him to the Bahamas in about fifty days.  He sounds a delight.  What struck me most about the gentleman is his sense of fun.  Oh, not that he doesn't seem in earnest and serious about the endeavour but I get the feeling he has learned (or never did!) to "not sweat the small stuff" and knows how to enjoy life.  He says he wants to make the crossing "in a civilized manner" and already has a deck chair and bedroom slippers.  "You're not pulling my leg, are you?" the interviewer on CBC asked.  "Not yet," replied Anthony.  Then he said he looked forward to squeezing fish and drinking the water thus obtained as he understands it will be drinkable.  And he hopes one of those who accompanies him will be a good fly fisherman with a hat adorned with hooks.  Can't you just see this!  Maybe a movie will result.  Or am I having my leg, gleefully, pulled?