Taking the slow route home

As the sun rises over the calm waters of Portland Marina, a sense of anticipation is building on P pontoon. A 50/50 mix of excitement and nervousness rumbles in the bellies of two Portland berth holders at the journey that lies ahead for them. It's Thursday 9th May and Brad, Sherryn, and their able seadog, Snowy are about to slip lines and head off on a round Britain sailing tour on their Laurent Giles designed Dorus Mhor 50' classic wooden ketch, 'September Moon'. It's an exciting enough voyage in itself, but this is just the shakedown cruise ahead of the longer expedition planned for departure next summer, when they'll be sailing home.

This tale really begins in 2015 when Brad and Sherryn made the decision to leave their home in Australia and relocate to the United Kingdom to work with the NHS. Fast forward to January 2022, and, with the call of their roots growing stronger after the challenges of Covid, they agreed that it was time to say goodbye to England and head back down under. However, a long flight home with their beloved terrier, Snowy, stuck in a crate in the bowels of the plane did not appeal, so they came up with a better plan... to sail home.

The idea was sparked by the travels of some friends who had visited them in the UK, returning home via cruise ship over eight weeks. The allure of the open sea and the freedom it promised (especially for Snowy!) captured their imaginations. There was, however, a slight miscommunication between Brad and Sherryn about what "sailing" entailed. As they sat in their arm chairs later that evening, perusing google and sharing their research over Messenger, it became clear that they weren't quite on the same page... Whilst Sherryn envisioned a luxurious cruise ship like their friends, Brad had his eyes set on something more intimate – a yacht. 

After much discussion - "you don't know how to sail", "no, but you do!" - the conclusion was made by Brad, "how hard can it be?" and their search for the perfect boat began. 'September Moon', built in 1970 of Iroko planks, might not be the immediate choice to spring to mind when planning a blue water adventure to take you half way around the world, but Sherryn and Brad fell in love with her at first sight. Unfortunately, by the time they found her she was already under offer, but serendipity stepped in and the original sale fell through. And so, in March 2022, they became the proud owners of 'September Moon' and settled into life aboard in Cardiff Marina.