George is something of a polymath with an eclectic career. Engineering background, sales manager, own business. A diving (SCUBA) instructor, wreck diver, specialist in underwater detecting (Hit the newspaper headlines in 2016 recovering a £10,000 diamond ring for a lady). Dived on the pirate Blackbeard’s ship in the USA. At the height of Paintball Games sports, he owned and ran two combat sites in Wales.

Three non-fiction books published; ‘The Gower Coast’, ‘KIDD the search for his treasure.’ and ‘Anson’s Gold’. The books reflect his passion for pirates, buried treasure and solving treasure charts. In ‘Anson’s Gold’, he solves a 300 year-old Spanish treasure cypher mystery. Even the boffins at Bletchly Park failed to do this. The sea, and its associated mysteries have played a big part in his life.

As well as his insightful books, George has appeared on ITV’s ‘Find a Fortune’ in 2000 discussing Captain Kidd’s treasure charts also on the History channel ‘Yesterday’ in ‘The Hunt for Pirate Treasure’. George has just finished his first thriller novel ,Now working on film script. When not writing, his greatest pleasure/hobby is sat at his flight simulator ‘flying’ WW2 aircraft, big screen with a visual reality option.

A boat owner all his life, he now misses his boat (too expensive to run on a pension!). Applications to Channel Four’s ‘Hunted’ - believes he can win it using his brain not athleticism, and a sense of humour! The same helped him develop a new talk: 'A Laugh on the Ocean Wave', aimed at Norway/Scandinavian cruises. George lives with his partner Julia in Weymouth. Too busy to retire.

IMPORTANT; Regarding reading/no reading from notes: As most of my talks are history/factual based, referring occasionally to notes is essential as a reminder to keep the talk on track and time. With something like 20 talks of 45 minutes duration, it is impossible for me to remember every single date, number, name and place involved. So Cruise Directors, we (speakers) would gratefully appreciate your understanding of this.

LIST OF PRESENTATIONS
1/ Norway, A brief history and introduction to its people and places. Including popular Fjords.
2/ The First Pirates, - The Vikings. A history, - they went further than you think.
3/ The Faroe Isles, its history and Norway connections.
4/ A Laugh on the Ocean Wave, an introduction to Scandinavian comedy: hilarious stories about the Norwegians/Swede/Danes, the audience will leave with a smile on their faces - guaranteed
5/ The Azores, a maritime history.
6/ Madeira, its people, places and pirates.
7/ Pirates of the Canary Islands, their turbulent history.
8/ Pirates of the Madeira’s and Canary Islands.
9/ The Spanish Treasure Galleons of the Caribbean, Doubloons and Pieces of Eight.
10/ Pirates in the West Indies and Windward Islands, answering the question; ‘Was there Ever such a thing as a nice pirate?’
11/ The Pirates of the West Indies and Caribbean (Incl. Puerto Rico).
12/ The Golden Age of Piracy in the Caribbean.
13/ Lord George Anson's four-year voyage around the world 1739. A voyage you would not want to take!
14/ Anson's Gold, the story of a huge Spanish treasure waiting to be discovered.
15/ The Money Pit Oak Island, Nova Scotia, a 250 year-old search for treasure. Also included: Underwater detecting and Katie's ring.

COMPLIMENTARY TO THE ABOVE:
16/ Talk 1 of 2, Series 1. Captain Kidd’s Charts and Robinson Crusoe Island.
Talk 2 of 2, Series 1. Kidd’s charts solved and underwater detecting.
17/ Talk 1 of 2, Series 2. Anson’s Gold and the Shepherds Monument Cypher.
Talk 2 of 2, Series 2. Monument Cypher Solution. Treasure Island.

PAST CRUISE EXPERIENCE:
Viking: Feb 2017 and Jan 2018
Cruise and Maritime: nine cruises total on; Magellan, Marco polo and Astoria
P&O: Azura and Arcadia
Fred Olsen: Balmoral X 2
Saga

The following recent Cruise History has been recorded for this candidate.