An Arctic Odyssey with Free Spirit, Dave and Jeanette Hardy

Dave and Jeanette recount the story of three months of fantastic sailing in what arguably must be the most spectacular and committing sailing on mainland Europe. Leaving their home port of Liverpool, they sailed the west coast of Scotland, continuing to Shetland 100 miles north of mainland Scotland, then crossed the North Sea without autopilot which presented its own challenges.

Continuing north they threaded through the intricate inner leads behind mountainous islands and imposing headlands to find secluded anchorages and harbours to rest and re-provision and even refill cooking gas cylinders. Passing north of the Arctic Circle, their ultimate objective was the Lofoten Islands, before returning to overwinter the boat south of Bergen and head home.