Have you ever thought about a sailing holiday but decided it was in the "too-hard basket" due to your lack of sailing skills?

Think again. If I could do it in my late 50s as a novice sailor, you can do it too.

For seven years, my partner Garth and I owned and operated a boutique lodge. After selling the business, Garth, an avid sailor, suggested we charter a boat and sail around Greece and Croatia. Being the optimist that I am, I thought, why not? How hard could it be?

My biggest concern was safety at sea, but I was confident that Garth's sailing knowledge and ability would keep us safe from harm.

Our holiday was not all smooth sailing. We encountered stressful situations, mostly weather-related, where the circumstances were not optimal. However, that was all part and parcel of the journey.

Would I do it again? Absolutely! The hardest part would be choosing our next destination, as there are many countries we have yet to explore.

I hope you enjoy reading about our adventures.