A CRUISE-LINE captain who has travelled the world for more than 30 years insists the hills overlooking Halifax are still his idea of heaven.
Hamish Sunter, 49, has been appointed staff captain of Cunard's new Queen Elizabeth liner which will embark on her maiden voyage in October.
Despite a life at sea and calling at many glamorous destinations along the way, Capt Sunter says he is h
appiest on the hills above Halifax where he grew up.
Ashore, he lives in Mount Tabor with his wife Fiona and three sons – James, 18, Edward, 16, and Piers, 13.
He said: "I was born in this area and have lived here all my life. I'm extremely lucky to have visited the world but to me this is heaven up here.
"It's strange. I was in Lahaina on one the Hawaiian islands about five years ago.
"It is one of the most beautiful places in the world and somewhere people will pay lots and lots of money to visit.
"I just thought I'm bored of this place and I've been here too many times now."
Capt Sunter had a passion for sailing in his schooldays and was a member of Halifax Sailing Club.
He ignored his family's farming heritage and decided to pursue a career at sea when he left Heath Grammar School at 18.
He was thrown in at the deep end on his apprenticeship, spending a "daunting" year at sea straight away before returning to study at Hull Nautical College.
After a number of years on cargo ships he got his mate's ticket in 1987 and his master's in 1991.
He moved on to join Cunard and worked as Junior First Officer on the QE2.
He has also worked on the Oriana and Queen Mary before he was appointed staff captain for the new Queen Elizabeth.
He said: "It is definitely the highlight of my career so far.
"It is essentially a deputy captain role.
"In the end the safety of the ship comes under my jurisdiction.
"The only thing left is to get promoted to captain now." The new Queen Elizabeth will go on her maiden voyage to the Canary Islands in October, followed by trips around Europe.
She will sail on a worldwide trip in January next year, meaning that Hamish is likely to miss his 50th birthday celebrations.
He said: "After a life at sea it's one of those things you take with a pinch of salt. I've missed so many birthdays and anniversaries."
