Over the years I've collected a lot of baggage. My webpages reflect something of that serendipity. From teenage beginnings at art school and a jazz debut, two years National Service in the RAF, a career in newspapers and advertising. Interest in the Knights Templar which began with our period home in Essex, Knight Templars House. This move to a new home led to my wife Pamela's business, Templar Antiques.

I also developed an interest in the Vikings, a) because of my passion for sailing and b) following a diagnosis of MS, and the possibility of a genetic disposition. The future for other MS patients now looks much better than it did 50 years ago. Yes, a great deal has happened in my lifetime so there’s something here for everyone. Click on the icons/links. Read and enjoy.

Born in the north of England at the outbreak of WWII. Educated at the Junior Art Department, Arundel St. Sheffield. Matriculated to Brincliffe Art College, the old Bluecoat School, Psalter Lane in the 1950s to train as a graphic designer. Notable alumni in the 1950s included; John Hoyland RA and David Mellor, silversmith, designer. By the age of 17 had my first job, toured northern Italy and joined a traditional jazz band. After the RAF studied for six years to obtain professional qualifications: (Dip.CAM) Diploma of Communications, Advertising & Marketing.

Then I served two years National Service in The Royal Air Force, serving at Nuneham Park, Biggin Hill, and Stanmore Park where I trained as a data processor (old-style punch tape stuff!) Finally I was posted to 19 Squadron Fighter Command stationed at RAF Church Fenton as SAC Servicing Recorder tracking the maintenance of Hawker Hunter jet fighters. Now a Veteran and member of the Royal British Legion, Nerja branch, Spain.

For ten years (1954-64) played double-bass with a number of jazz groups playing with some well-known jazz musicians. Started with The Black Diamonds, a traditional New Orleans jazz band, moving on to modern jazz following two years in the RAF playing in Church Fenton band. Played in John Betts' Trio, and with the Savoy Quintet. (Listen to Ray Brown playing Blue Monk.)

After leaving the RAF I met my wife Pamela, married, and spent 10 years working in newspapers with Thompson Regional newspapers: Sheffield Telegraph and Star, Belfast Telegraph, Blackburn Evening Telegraph and Burnley Star, and the Newcastle Chronical & Journal. Obtained the CAM Diploma in Marketing Communications and was employed by Colman Foods, Norwich, before moving to London. There I was employed as Account Manager with two advertising agencies; Butler & Gardiner, Regent St, Doyle Dane Bernbach, Baker St. Founded Manifest Conferences & Presentations Ltd., Covent Garden, finally spending then remaining years of my working-life as freelance producer on various stage, audio-visual, and television programmes.

I belong to an elite international group with MS. Initially diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at the National Hospital Queen Square, London in 1975. Ten years later I found it was getting worse and I had to retired from full-time employment. Despite life in a wheelchair, my wife and myself have enjoyed a full life running a small B&B, toured Brittany, Spain, Majorca, Canary Is., the Caribean and sailed aboard "The Lord Nelson". I now have efriends all over the world.

For many reasons, because I was born in the Danelaw, because of my Wilson surname, because there link between MS and Viking genes, I started researching their exploits. Because this page became so popular and because so much has been discovered about viking forays into the Mediterranean, the page has now been re-written in two parts: The Vikings in Britain and The Viking in Europe and Russia. Read about Vikings in England, Scotland, Spain, Russia, Constantinople, Greenland and America. Also because we lived in a house built for them, I became interested in the Knights Templar.

I have always been passionately fond of sailing since I was young. (Perhaps it's those Viking genes again!) My wife and I started sailing on the Norfolk Broads and I've been mad about yachts and sailing since I was young. I bought my first pocket-cruiser in the 1960s and sailed extensively on the east coast. As I became more experienced I sailed further afield to Holland and France sailing to Gibraltar and competing in the RYC Round Britain Yacht Race to raise money for the MS Society.

When first we visited Madrid in the 1970s we fell in love with Spain, its food, wine and people. Then I sailed to Gibraltar calling at La Coruña, Galicia. After many holidays on the Costa Blanca we bought a cortijo rustico in Andalusia in the foothills of the Sierra Nevadas overlooking the Mediterranean Sea spending winters there. Finally we emigrated to Spain. Traducir esta página web en español.

When I'm not reading, writing or surfing the net. I enjoy listening to jazz or classical music, especially opera. I'm also interested in history and genealogy especially where it relates to MS.