It was the 1970s, and their simple wooden boat had none of the aids modern yachts enjoy. They navigated from Scotland by sextant and compass, cooked food on a Primus, and forecast weather by guesswork. Diligent preparation before they set sail eventually saved their lives in the violent storms and dangers they encountered, as this absorbing account vividly describes. Their capsize at night in a fierce storm south of Tahiti, and subsequent survival, make a gripping climax to the story.

Brief mentions of this remarkable voyage have appeared in the sailing press over the years, but only now has Nicholas finally written the whole story, of their bold plan, their search for the boat, their detailed preparation, how the plan grew, their eventual voyage from Scotland halfway round the world and its dramatic conclusion.

The book was launched in Lerwick, Shetland, in July 2023, 50 years to the day since their departure from the north-west coast of Scotland in 1973. It tells the story of this long-ago life-changing adventure in modern terms, challenging the perspective and expectations of modern adventurers in a gripping, hard-to-put-down story of ambition, resilience, and courage.