This blog is about “living the dream” of giving up work and sailing round the world. To me this is the best way of seeing the world and meeting its people. We can go where we like, we can befriend people we like and we can stay in places we enjoy or wish to explore more and I can share the experience with friends and family.
To bring the dream to reality I bought Romano, a Swedish built a Najad 441 blue water cruiser that was for sale in Holland. At 44ft she is big enough to sleep 6 in three comfortable cabins and small enough to sail short-handed in most weather conditions.
Romano in Dover en-route to Cowes for her re-fit
In June 2013 myself and three others will set off to take her across the Atlantic via France, Spain, Portugal, the Canaries and Cape Verde Islands in time for Christmas in the Caribbean.
The crew are Gillian Bell my yachtmaster niece, Jonny Hepburn a friend of Gillian’s and Sim Rendall a longstanding friend of mine and keen sailor.
As I write the boat is being fitted out by Marine Power Plus in Cowes on the Isle of Wight with lots of long distance gear and this is where we will set off from.
We set up this blog so friends and family can follow our exploits.
Post comment – the planned crew never actually materialised for reasons I won’t go into
Romano 
Mike. Hopefully you are well on your way to far flung places by now. By good fortune I found out from Sharon Stevens the correct blog address and have finally managed to get onto your site so now I have the code I shall watch with interest your exploits. Good luck and have a safe voyage my friend
Derek
Hi Mike, hope all is well with you.
When do you finally leave these sunny shores ?
G’day Mike,
I have been watching the Blog but you haven’t added anything for awhile. Have you overcome your hull problem? Where are you now and is your September start still on?
Drop me a line if you can please.
Cheers
John
Hi John
I have been busy getting the boat and crew ready for the first phase of the trip. I have moved the boat to Lymington – see our tracker blog@mailasail/romanocrew. Will be updating this shortly.
All the best
Mike
hi Eleanor hear ,
i just love that photo.. how are you and your sailing everything going to plan? I wish i could of saw the dolphins i would love to see them! Are you beginning to feel sea sick yet? is everyone getting on? good luck and all the best, with your sailing.
love
Eleanor x
p.s good luck
Hi Eleanor
We are over feeling sea sick and this is something I really want want to do its the opportunity of a lifetime to explore the world, meet new people and have a fantastic adventure. We are getting on fine and no-one has fallen out yet. Hopefully you and Dad and Mum can come out to join me somewhere.
Thanks for the good wishes
Mike XX
Hi Michael
Glad to see you have finally got underway. The boat looks great and must now given you great confidence in its ability to take you and your crew safely on your journey I will watch your trip with interest as i potter around the med in my little craft
Safe journey Steve P