Vasco da Gama, the famous 15th century Portuguese explorer, has been seen in Brighton under the alias of Arnold Hutchinson. Arnold, who messed about in boats as a teenager, and later fought in the RAF, was destined to follow Vasco's path as he had been a childhood hero to him. It is Arnold's proud boast that anywhere Vasco went, so did he. All-be-it 500 years later.

For many years, Arnold became a vagabond seafarer on the Indian Ocean amidst hundreds of beautiful islands of all sizes. From Madagascar to the Comoros, from the Seychelles and Aldabra (giant tortoises) to the Maldives. Arnold's "relaxed" way of life was occasionally interrupted by bouts of work, either using his engineering skills gained in his youth in Africa after the war or using his skills as a Charter Captain around the world's dangerous coral reefs. Indeed, the World Health Organisation has reason to be thanking him for the water purification plant he designed and built in the then typhoid stricken Maldives over twenty years ago.

He finished his seafaring where he started it: in Mozambique. Returning to Brighton he worked as a commissioning engineer for Sutton Water Company and saved hard. Three years on he then set off as a landlubber, wayfaring around India, Ceylon (Sri Lanka) and, finally, ending up in Goa (Discovered by guess who? Vasco da Gama).

Arnold, now 78, has now retired back to Brighton and has broadcast some of his many tales on BBC Radio. He has kindly offered to talk about his exciting experiences and special knowledge (including celestial navigation) to the younger generation, who, he feels, are missing out on the rich fabric of life. Any interested groups should contact the Phoenix Magazine for more info. Email: news@phoenixbrighton.fsnet.co.uk