Race 4 - Day 18
Crew Diary - Race 4, Day 18
05 December

Sailing Back Home - Mick's Leg

This is the first time for me as I am not really one for writing blogs or social media, but this is a special leg as I dedicate this one to the memory of my brother-in-law (Mick Hartley).

Unfortunately, Mick passed away a year ago and was a keen sailor who had also built his own yacht from scratch, but fell ill before he could get to do the sailing himself. So I thought I would do the sailing for him to honour his memory.

I was only going to do Legs 1, 2 and 3, but my wife Natalie convinced me to do the full the circumnavigation as I would regret it in later life if I didn't. Without the support of them at home this would not be possible, even though I miss them dearly. I am looking forward to seeing Natalie and my little man Travis who has just got his own boat and become an avid fisherman, so we can now talk boats together, and obviously I have lots of stories to tell them.

I would also like to say a big hi and thank you to my sister Debbie and my mates back in Noosa who have had my back whilst I have been away - Matty Johns, Brett Coleman, Lance Jennings and everyone else who is supporting me. And finally, a big shout to my mum in England for everything she has done.

Only a couple of days to go until we arrive in Oz. After flying all the way from Australia to England back in August, it is an amazing feeling to know that I have sailed back to where it started. I couldn't have done without the guidance of Josh, Hugo and all the amazing crew.

Hatch Open!!

Haz