I came in with the tide,
Laughing and playing
Fighting and laying,
Spawning by the warm rockside,

But now an ebb rather
Loosens my grip,
For the homward trip
Across the bones of my father.

CC. 1998

Some of our past students share their memories of Charles:

Dear Charles...

You are always in my mind, even though you are not here. You've changed me a lot. You've saved my life. Everytime I remember you, I feel confident. What you said and taught me is my treasure. I'm going to live all my life with your words, remembering your kind, beautiful eyes.
Asako (Japan)
When I first saw you, I was really scared. But this changed very soon. I do miss your special kind of humour, and your way of bringing, 'things' straight to the point. Like to many others you tought me how to prepare and how to drink a real Gin and Tonic. ... Thank you for teaching not just English but also 'life'
Konstantin (Germany)
He was one of our best British friends. He was a British father for us. We loved to have dinner with him and talk anything until midnight. His cynical wit and short temper made him attractive. When he talked about cricket enthusiastically, we thought baseball was a boring sport.
Kyu and Hitomi (Japan)
I am missing your sense of humour and the way you challenged me every time I was here. All the things you gave me to do, the books I had to read, the summary I had to write and the tests I had to pass - how often did I come to you and said ;'I can not do that, it's too difficult' You always had the same answer 'Noodlehead, you can do that - just try!'... Everytime I went home with pride and a happy feeling in my head, accompanied by the strong wish to come back again...
Stephi(Germany)
I want to thank you for being such a good teacher and I will never forget our 'Diplomacy - afternoons' we spent together (it's quite difficult to beat you!) I will never forget you... P.S I still know how to prepare a real Gin-Tonic!
Felix (Germany)
You were such a big presence. I miss you very much. I miss your gentle eyes when you were smiling. I miss talking with you. I miss having a drink with you. I miss being teased by you. I even miss being shouted at... I miss your everything.
Eri (Japan)
I can still remember when I saw you for the first time. I was 13 in those days and deadly scared about the old man spreading authority wherever he came to. But I soon changed my opinion about you, when I got to know your humour. I can remember when we stood outside in the garden, last year, feeling the cold wind on a warm evening and talking about the good old times and about the idea to inscene a Shakepseare play with the students.
Niklas (Germany)
You filled the house with a special feeling - there was warmth, respect, strength and I felt very familiar every time I stayed in your house. You will always be in my heart.
Barbara (Germany)

And from our teachers