Jack Laurence

and were about to place their lives in the hands of wind, weather and water.

For most of them, this would be their first true encounter with the open ocean.

Its power, its unpredictability, its capacity to be both breathtaking and utterly brutal.

Chapter one, what does a sea captain know about farming?

For many of us, our lives become extremely predictable.

What lay ahead was equal parts excitement and terror.

Because what they were attempting in their day was something few families had ever done, and almost none had done without experience.

We're creatures of habit and routine.

I mean, it's not unusual to ask someone what's been happening to get the response, same old shit, different day.

They were stepping into one of the most unforgiving environments on earth.

Many of us daydream of giving it all up and going travelling, having all of our worldly possessions on our back and disappearing with no plan and no responsibilities.

What lay ahead felt like adventure.

But the ocean does not announce when it plans to change the rules.

And once it does, well, there's no turning back.

Fly by the seat of your pants and see where life takes you.

However, for most of us, the fear of the what-ifs stop us from doing it.

In January of 1971, the Robertson family would quite literally throw caution to the wind as they sold their family farm, purchased a 43-foot sailing boat called the Lucette and set off on a voyage around the world.

Here he is.

How are you?

I'm very well, thank you, sir.