COASTAL DISCOVERY HARBOURS

hen three days’ notice was given for the second lockdown last November, our catamaran was snug in Weymouth Harbour, Dorset. We had a decision to make; do we take to the high seas and sail south to warmer climes, or brave the winter in our noninsulated boat, safe in harbour? If I had an experienced crew and we knew the boat’s sailing capabilities well, I would have chosen the former. But both my crew and the boat were untested; we had only started cruising in her a week beforehand and that was Naomi’s first time sailing a yacht. As for the kids, Ottilie, aged six, and Arva, four, showed great potential, but they needed a little more training before crossing the Bay of Biscay. So we decided to bide our time, brave the winter and start cruising in the spring. This gave us a decision;