ATLANTIC CHILDREN – PART 1
by Juliet Dearlove
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A journey from Italy to the Caribbean and then home to the UK, by sailing boat, with two small children (aged 6 and 8). The story, told by the mother, describes the decision to leave England, to sell the house and many of their belongings, to give up careers and school, and to leave family and friends.
The family embarks on a nomadic adventure through the Mediterranean and across the Atlantic to St Lucia, gradually learning about the boat and themselves, and visiting many little-known and beautiful places. There are scenes of tension as they encounter bad weather and difficult situations, and of joy as they overcome challenges and experience many wonders of the natural and marine world. A pod of sperm whale passes within metres, dolphins swim at the bow, and the rescue of turtles trapped in abandoned fishing nets.
The crossing from the Canary Islands to St Lucia is described in detail. 19 days of continuous horizon, total self-sufficiency, a constant eye on the weather forecast and the latent threat of pirates.
A true story, told in an honest and self-deprecating way. Suitable for sailors and non-sailors, from teenager to grandparent.
Description
A Family’s Ocean-Sized Adventure
What happens when you trade school runs and packed lunches for trade winds and reefed sails? Atlantic Children – Part 1 is the inspiring true story of one family’s daring decision to swap routine for rigging and embark on a life-changing Atlantic circuit with kids in tow.
Written by Juliet Dearlove, this part-travelogue, part-parenting memoir captures the highs and lows of family life afloat. From Biscay crossings to Caribbean anchorages, readers follow the Dearloves as they navigate not only oceans but also homeschooling, night watches, engine breakdowns and the daily joys of raising children at sea.
Far from romanticised, Juliet’s storytelling is honest, warm, and often laugh-out-loud funny. She shares the real challenges of boat schooling and provisioning in remote ports, alongside moments of pure wonder: dolphins at dawn, starlit night sails, and the deep family bonds that only emerge when life slows down to a seven-knot pace.
This first volume in the Atlantic Children series charts the journey from the UK to the Caribbean, weaving practical insights with poetic reflections. It’s a book for dreamers, planners, and anyone curious about the realities of long-term cruising with kids.
Perfect for:
• Families dreaming of bluewater adventures
• Cruisers looking for honest, relatable tales from fellow sailors
• Armchair travellers craving something salt-sprayed and soul-nourishing
Whether you’re planning your own family voyage or simply seeking a new kind of bedtime story, Atlantic Children – Part 1 is a heartwarming reminder that adventure isn’t just for grown-ups—and that the best education might just come with a keel.
PRODUCT DETAILS
Part Number: HIS5120
Edition: 2010
ISBN: 9780956853806
Publisher: Central Books
