One Carrickfergus couple, however, liked the idea so much that they sold up everything they had to sail around the world together in a 33 ft yacht, appropriately christened ‘Breakaway’. They enjoyed their voyage of discovery so much that they have just written a book about the experience.
“Letters to the Boatyard” published this month by Dolman Scott charts five years of exploration and excitement for Bob and Christine Harper who sailed out of Carrickfergus Marina and into adventure in July 1996. The book which is a good-humoured assessment of their personal oceanic odyssey has been sponsored by Carrickfergus Borough Council as part of its ongoing ‘Good Relations’ programme.
Cllr William Ashe who chairs the Good Relations Committee says, “We’re delighted to launch a publication which highlights our marina as the launch point of such a fabulous adventure. We hope that the infectious enthusiasm which local couple Bob and Christine bring to their story-telling will inspire others to take to the sea too.”
Now happily settled back into life in their home town of Carrickfergus, Bob and Christine have no regrets about taking five years out to follow their dream. Bob says, “We spent years planning and five years on the round-the-world journey but. Looking back, it all seems to have gone in the blink of an eye. We met some wonderful people as we travelled, had weird, wonderful and occasionally very funny experiences and saw places most people only dream about.”
Opting for a favourite destination when you have travelled literally around the world is difficult but, for Christine at least, there is no hesitation in making the selection. She says, “Tonga was amazing not just because of the scenery and the fabulous climate but because the people were so friendly and unspoilt. They didn’t seem to care how much or little anyone had but simply accepted you for what you were. Having said that, we were certainly very happy to come home to family, friends and familiar places.”
Christine and Bob believe that around 250 otherwise ‘ordinary’ people set sail to go round the world each year. During their voyage they met many others tackling the same adventure. Bob says, “There is a wonderful feeling of community amongst sailors particularly when you are so far from home. You need no introduction and you make friends almost instantly. It may seem daunting but I would recommend the experience to anyone particularly if, like us, their families can fly out to join them at various points. That helps fight any feeling of homesickness.”
So what about all that togetherness? Is a five year sea voyage a recipe for romance . . . . or near disaster?
Christine laughs and says there was just one day when tempers frayed and she felt that she might just like to tip her hapless husband into the ocean. “I decided to chalk it up to experience and start afresh the day after,” she laughs. “I’m sure he felt just the same!
“It was a fabulous time for both of us and it more than lived up to all the planning. In fact it was even better than we had originally hoped. Having the children come out and join us at various times helped and made sure that the whole family had a share in the fun which was great.”
Whether or not it was the adventure of a lifetime remains to be seen. Bob has recently invested in a motorcycle and sidecar and is starting to day-dream about biking across America . . . or India . . . or . . . .
“Letters to the Boatyard” published by Dolman Scott is available at £25 from Carrickfergus Tourist Information Centre, Antrim Street, Carrickfergus 028 9335 8049 or from www.amazon.co.uk.
