Dunsborough author-adventurer Rob Turner tells his life story at Margaret River Library

Retired adventurer Rob Turner will regale local audiences with his life story, captured in his book Home the Hard Way, at an event at Margaret River Library later this month.

The former world sailor will detail his experiences from a life filled with adventure as well as close shaves, drawing primarily on the story outlined in his autobiography.

“Home the Hard Way is my story of sailing Sydney to Oman, then of the difficulties of being physically handicapped with a back problem and bringing a small yacht back to Perth beset by numerous life-threatening events, hence the title,” he told the Times.

Among those tribulations were a series of near-fatal ocean collisions as well as a lot of mechanical difficulties faced out in the ocean, including one that left him adrift off the coast of Saudi Arabia for two weeks.

The 82-year-old Dunsborough resident told the Times he was looking forward to airing some of the stories from his book while also promoting his standalone novel Dark Waters, which he wrote to pass the time while sailing.

“It’s a novel about smuggling and gold theft, set in Bass Strait in the 1960s,” Turner said.

“I have also written two books of poetry, and currently enjoy yachting with a Rotary-backed group in Busselton using specially-designed boats to take physically impaired people sailing.

“I’ve slowed down a bit now, but still enjoy snorkelling at Yallingup with my two youngest grandchildren.”

Turner’s ocean adventures came after he had what he jokingly described as a “mid-life crisis” at 50, quitting his job as a pilot to undertake sailing despite little experience.

That adventure turned into a 2½-year trek around the globe.

While he was grateful for his many experiences, some dark moments left him with lingering stress from nearly losing his life.

He said his 80-plus years had shown him life was short.

“It’s too easy to get bogged down in events that don’t affect us rather than creating the enjoyment we seek,” Turner said.

“We should all aim to leave this world in a better state than when we entered it.”

Turner’s talk starts at 6pm on Thursday, February 22, and is followed by light refreshments.

To RSVP, email amrlibrary@amrshire.wa.gov.au or phone 9780 5600.