Simon Tysma has sailed the world's seas for a number of years as a mate on the Grote Handelsvaart. In Africa he had a serious experience due to an accident with a ship's rope, which knocked half his leg away. After years of nursing and rehabilitation, this has turned out all right again, as if by a miracle.

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After many wanderings, including in Ireland, he returned to the Netherlands and became a graphic entrepreneur.

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After selling his business, he divided his life between living in the Netherlands and Spain, where this book was written.