Arthur Ransome’s "We Didn’t Mean to Go to Sea" was published 75 years ago this month. Inspired by his boat the Nancy Blackett, it was quickly recognised as the high point of his "Swallows and Amazons" series and one of the great pieces of sea fiction.

The story features the four young ‘Swallows’ (John, Susan, Titty and Roger) who go for a short sail in the Goblin – identical to Nancy Blackett – and find themselves having to sail her across the North Sea to Holland.

The book is part of the reason that Nancy Blackett is preserved by the Nancy Blackett Trust, and we will be organising various celebrations to mark the anniversary during the coming year. But what better way is there of marking this milestone – apart perhaps from re-reading the book – than going for a sail in the Goblin, alias Nancy Blackett, herself? Membership of the Trust covers a whole family for just £15.00 a year and day-trips, short cruises and longer passages are all available at surprisingly low cost.

Next year, 2013, Nancy Blackett will be available for sailing both on the East Coast and the Solent, and we promise not to let you drift out to sea if you don’t mean to.