Doing the wrong thing

Did sailing “backwards” against the prevailing winds and currents mean terrible seasickness?

I’m fortunate I don’t suffer from that. Or maybe I was just too busy to feel it.

So you stayed physically ship-shape throughout the voyage?

I had a stomach bug for 24 hours, which was due to poorly cooked freeze-dried food. I also bruised my arm badly, which meant that it lost full mobility for a week.

Any “man overboard” moments?

No. The boat was struck by lightning in the South Seas, and it affected the wind instruments at the top of the mast. I needed to climb it to repair them but got stuck at the top. I couldn’t change my gear from ascending to descending. It took an hour and a half to get down, during which time I was swung around like a rag doll.

Did you think you might see Davy Jones’s locker?

Yes, but I knew that as long as I could stay on board, I would make it. I had absolute faith in my yacht Aviva. I just had to hang on in there.

You also weathered icebergs and storms. Did you ever want to bail out?

There were times when all I wanted was to get off for a few hours, have a bath, eat some nice food and sleep in a proper bed. But I always had my heart set on completing the challenge.

Presumably a diet of ship’s biscuits and rum must have kept up your spirits?

That would have been nice. I took a mixture of freeze-dried, boil-in-the-bag and tinned food. My favourite meal was boil-in-the-bag chicken casserole, with pasta.

And you didn’t get scurvy?

I was desperate for fresh fruit and vegetables by the time I got back. I used to dream of apples and oranges.

With no nice food, how did you buoy your spirits?

You play mind games. I set small goals for myself, so I constantly felt as if I was achieving. And I sang along to my iPod. Robbie Williams was a favourite.

That didn’t inspire a different sort of record-breaking?

No!

Was cabin fever a problem?

When the weather is bad and you are below deck, it is like being locked in your bedroom for being naughty. But I spoke to Aviva every day. We were definitely in it together. We were a team.

So the sleep deprivation was taking its toll?

I didn’t have hallucinations, but I was extremely tired. I averaged four hours’ sleep in every 24, and never for longer than an hour and 20 minutes. I still find it difficult to sleep through the night. I have managed only five hours in one go since being back.

Was any of it fun?

Of course, loads of it was. The majority of time it was fantastic. You are alone with nature and you see the world as it is meant to be.

Any profound conclusions?

No, but since I have come home I have started to think more about environmental issues. For example, pollution from cars and rubbish in the streets. I spent so long in a clean environment that these things get to me.

Do you have a higher purpose in life now?

Not especially, although I did talk to any god that was available to listen at times.

Not a better person then?

I am stronger for it and more confident in my own abilities.

Back to shallow — can you be high maintenance at sea?

I’m low maintenance anyway. Brushing my hair or putting on make-up isn’t part of my daily routine. But one good thing about the voyage was that it changed my body shape. My shoulders got bigger and my bum smaller.

Doesn’t all that salt water, wreck your skin?

I came back looking healthy, so it can’t be bad. My main priority was to stop my skin from drying out, so I didn’t end up looking like a leathery old handbag.

Desert island essential?

Factor 50 suncream.

Is there one thing that the experience has taught you?

I will value time with friends and family more. When you don’t get to spend time with those you love, you appreciate how important they are.

Have you experienced the low that follows a high yet?

No, I am still enjoying the response. There will be a downtime, probably when I start planning my next project.

Which is . . .?

There aren’t many firsts left. So maybe I’ll just sail round the world the right way.