‘kitchen’. Cooking at a 45
degree angle isn’t easy either – every few minutes you
and your masterpiece are
flung up in the air! There is
no shower and you never
fully get changed and when
you do it is often, into wet
clothes as there is no way of
drying anything.
On deck, you pull ropes
and tug sails with all your
might whilst waves spray in
your face. Despite the gale
force winds, you help with
whatever needs doing to
maximise the boat’s performance - it is a race after all!
Along with all of that comes
beautiful sunrises, mesmerising sunsets and playful dolphins. Strangers quickly become like family who provide lots of love
and laughter when you really need it. There
are fun times surfing huge waves, scary
times during squalls and a real sense of
freedom and self–survival. It was challenging but exhilarating, truly magical and an
experience I will cherish forever.
I’m thrilled to be writing this having
achieved everything I set out to and more
– I’m the happiest and most motivated I’ve
been in a long time. Taking part in the Clipper was the pinnacle of my recovery and
whilst some thought I was running away
from my issues, I was actually addressing
them head on.
to terms with living with Long QTS, living with
an ICD and living within my own comfort
zones. I’ve also found and fallen in love
with the ‘new’ me. I hope my story inspires
others. Anything is possible if you’re driven
enough. Sometimes we just have to work
out how to navigate our way a little differently.
I self–funded my trip and decided to raise
awareness of and raise money for CRY
throughout my Clipper journey. My ‘Clipper
for CRY’ fundraising is nearing £5000. To donate please visit www.uk.virginmoneygiving.
com/ClipperforCRY
To follow the Clipper race visit www.clipperroundtheworld.com
The Clipper challenge was my salvation
To read memoirs of my adventure please
and a chance for me to put all the exercise visit www.longitudeandlatitudeoflongqt.
and CBT rehab into action: I’ve finally come wordpress.com/ – coming soon!