Introduction

Welcome to our website! Its existence is all down to John (Mark’s dad) so a BIG thank you to him. It’s here to keep family and friends informed about our adventures on Free Spirit. Along the way we plan to update the site with our tales of the high seas. Enjoy reading! (Note: click on photos to see larger version)

Picture of sunset – on way to Dartmouth – L1010063

At the Eden Project near Falmouth -July '05

Since a very early age, there have been tales of Mark heading off (often with his sister Anna in tow) in a dinghy to explore coves and sea life. His early love of the sea remained and in his twenties he set about sailing seriously and bought his first boat ‘The Hampshire Maid’ (a SCOD), in which he sailed around Britain . Madrisa - a Moody Halberdier – came next, which he shared with his good friend Jeff. He thought his sailing days were over when he tied the knot and moved from Brighton to middle England, however, water (albeit fresh this time) was found and dinghy sailing ensued. For those of you who know Mark well will know that he is never happier than when there is water around. It’s his freedom.

In contrast to Sea Dog Ricketts, Nat is a landlubber. She’s been known to snorkel the odd once or twice and once saw a massive shark-like fish when snorkeling in Crete with her brother Tris, which kind of put her off the whole sea-thing. She dabbled in a bit of dinghy sailing at school (to get out of athletics) but basically chlorinated water is her cup of tea. So, why the sudden urge to head off into the horizon in a boat? Well, it’s important to point out that she did actually meet Mark on a boat so she asked for it really. But seriously, who wouldn’t? It’s the ultimate challenge and adventure of a lifetime. Plus, she’s got nothing better to do and there’s ‘nout on the telly.

Free Spirit

Free Spirit is a Vancouver 32 and was built by Northshore in Itchenor (near Chichester ) in 1989. Vancouvers are designed for long-distance passage making and in her sixteen years she has certainly seen more places than us. She has ventured to Australia with one previous owner and most recently spent four years cruising to Argentina and back.

Prior to purchase - L1000800x           Ready for 'first' passage -L1000894x

Vancouvers are still made by Northshore (Northshore Yachts), however the 32 has been modified slightly and is now sold as a 34.

Further Ship Details - Here

Planned trip

The need to seek fair winds and good weather has established a number of well-traveled routes for sailing boats over the centuries. Our trip has been planned to follow these well-established routes but also to keep our options open as to how far we travel and which countries we go to.

Option 1: UK-Med-UK -Option removed following move to Canaries

Option 2: UK-Med-Caribbean-UK -Option modified -missed out Gibralter and Madiera- gone straight to Canaries

Option 3: UK-Med-Caribbean-Year Travelling-Caribbean-UK -Option modified -missed out Gibralter and Madiera- gone straight to Canaries

Option 4: UK-Westerly Circumnavigation-UK-Option modified -missed out Gibralter and Madiera- gone straight to Canaries

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