We’re deep in the Pacific Ocean, 500 miles from land, when the engine of our 53ft sailboat, Aretha, cuts out. My husband, Caspar, and I are unable to determine the cause of our power failure, and with no navigation, no communications, no lights, we’re dead in the water. Soon, it’s pitch black, and the wind is howling around us as our boat is tossed around in 30ft waves.
When we’d planned to take our three children on a sailing adventure around the world, this wasn’t quite what we’d imagined. Yet, rather than panic, although it’s tempting, an exhausted Caspar and I launch into the practice mode, using the sails to push us along and taking turns to hand steer the boat to safety. It takes five days – but by the end, our marriage is stronger than ever.
It was 2009 when I had the wild idea at Caspar’s sister’s birthday party. People were chatting about a family in the news who’d taken their kids sailing around the world, saying it was crazy, yet I thought it sounded great. I’d enjoyed Interrailing across Europe and backpacking after university.
‘Shall we do it? Sail around the world with the kids?’ I asked Caspar during the drive home. At that point, we had two children, Bluebell, then four, and Columbus, two. I’d never sailed but Caspar was a seasoned sailor, having grown up around boats.
He’d even competed in a round-the-world yacht race in 2000 and took no convincing.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة May 25, 2020 من WOMAN - UK.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة May 25, 2020 من WOMAN - UK.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
The benefits of waking up early
I can almost feel my daughters rolling their eyes at the thought of me writing about the joys of waking up early.
'Rylan makes me MILLIONS!
The presenter talks about his love life, professional success and his alter ego
GATSBY
He needed a home, but was Maria barking to even consider taking him in?
My mindset MAKEOVER
After losing 4st, the future is bright for Hazel James
Eat more WEIGH LESS
Feel fuller while losing weight with our exclusive plan from Slimming World
Autumn tricks YOU NEED TO KNOW
Stop cold, dark nights disturbing your sleep with these expert cheats
'HARRY WILL NOT BE BACK'
Reports of Prince Harry wanting to return to the UK and royal duties are, I’m told, ‘completely wrong’.
'I'M HONOURED to still be part of Strictly'
Strictly Come Dancing judge Anton Du Beke on the hit show and why he'll never retire
Would you keep CANCER A SECRET?
Model Elle Macpherson revealed she kept her battle with the disease hidden - we find out why many others choose to do the same
'Ruth has handled the split WITH DIGNITY'
Coleen Nolan on grief, supporting Ruth Langsford through divorce and moving in with boyfriend Michael Jones