Charlie Boutwood was giving his father Nigel and myself ( his Godfather) a lift home from the 'Grumpie' drinking session held every Friday night at The Six Bells pub in Chiddingly, East Sussex, they popped in for a couple of Rum and Cokes to round the evening off.
The Boutwoods had participated in the 'Round The Island Race' ( around the Isle of Wight) in their beloved sailing boat 'Cadenza' for 14 years , raising funds for 'Charlie's Challenge', the brain tumour charity created by Nigel and his wife Nettie, with me as a founding Trustee, this after Charlie had survived his own brain tumour as an 18 month old child.
They informed me that they wouldn't be doing the 'Round the Island Race' in 2019 and without pause for thought I foolishly suggested that we did a different kind of 'round the island trip'......going around Great Britain in my new 28ft motor boat "Start Me Up'.
The idea took hold and our target start date is May 18th, subject to weather and sea conditions. Ever wished you had not been 'over refreshed' and had kept your mouth shut.
Anyway, here we are and here's the plan.