What are we doing?

From May 1st 2022, a 28-foot (8.5m) yacht named Speedwell will be our home for four months as we sail an estimated 2,000 miles (3,218km) around the coast of Great Britain.

The aim is to coastal hop clockwise around the country, starting from the River Medway, which feeds into the Thames Estuary at the southeast corner of the UK.

So, why are we doing this?

For Mark, it's a dream he's been wanting to complete for years.

For Katrina, it's about healing and reconnecting with her true self after a previous emotionally abusive relationship, which left her in shame and questioning her worth and identity. This sailing adventure hopes to highlight that we have strength and resilience, that there is hope beyond a toxic relationship, that we are more than we think we are, that we are worth it. 

It's for this reason, we'll be fundraising for SafeLives (www.safelives.org.uk), a UK charity that works to end domestic abuse because no one should be affected by domestic abuse. 

What might we expect on the voyage?

Each night, we'll moor in a marine or anchor in a sheltered spot, check the weather and plan the next day's trip. 

Our progress will be completely dependent on the tides and wind, and the challenge is ti sail as much as possible without motoring and to survive the four months on just one 90L tank of diesel, which works out as using the engine for a maximum of about 20 minutes a day. 

Beyond a lot of water, we hope to see seals, dolphins, otters and maybe even a puffin or two. And, crossing fingers, maybe even whales. 

There is the promise of spectacular sunrises and stunning sunsets, quiet coves and bays where the water is clear and the sand is golden. And there will be fine vistas of the British coast - think the White Cliffs of Dover, the Jurassic Coast, the rugged cliffs of Cornwall, the isles and inlets of Scotland.

But this will be a mental game. We expect monotony, boredom, constant movement and possible motion sickness. There could be 2am starts to catch the tide and days sitting around twiddling thumbs waiting for wind. For much of it, we will probably be wet and cold, and we'll be sailing if the wind's right - even if it's raining. 

We'll be continually on the lockout when sailing, having to navigate and dodge sandbanks, mud, rocks, lobster pots and other boats. Anything could go wrong and when things happen, they happen fast on a boat. There will be long days, big waves, days without a shower, and lots of bruises. 

We'll also be living in a confined space so we won't have any respite from each other. We are a strong couple but this voyage will test us - and we note the significance of this and the coincidence with the charity we are fundraising for. 

How can you follow our progress?

Katrina will blog about her learnings on her website (www.katrinamegget.com) and LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/in/katrinamegget) 

Posting about day-to-day sailing life and posting pretty pictures on: Katrina's public Facebook page (www.facebook.com/KatMegget/), Twitter (www.twitter.com/katrinamegget), Instagram (www.instagram.com/katrinamegget). 

You'll also be able to follow our progress online through GPS tracking (to come). 

Thanks for your support and your donation. It means a lot to us and to every person who has experienced domestic abuse. 

Remember you're stronger and more capable than you think you are. 

#ownyourawesome

#SailGB 

SafeLives is a UK charity dedicated to ending domestic abuse, for good. No one should live in fear. It is not acceptable, not inevitable, and with your help – we can make it stop. Every year, over two million people in the UK experience domestic abuse. Not one of them should have to wait until they're in crisis before we pay attention. We believe that domestic abuse can be stopped. Stopped before it starts. Stopped before it ruins lives. Your donation will help us change lives
and make families across the UK safe and well - thank you!