I FOUND the perfect place to stay on this stormy and extremely wet weekend.

No I didn't escape to a warm and dry European city but headed down to Southampton to go sailing. If you can't fight it my theory is go with it and no matter what height the water might raise to surely the safest place has to be on board a yacht!

Due to the predicted storm our plans were brought forward and we set sail into the Solent on the Friday evening. We had most definitely caught the calm before the storm, heading out into the night the water was almost as flat as glass, accompanied by a very light breeze; this made for a beautiful relaxing introduction to night sailing.

It was then into the two hour watch system rotation — I think during my many years as a swimmer I have perfected the skill of 'napping' — I certainly didn't waste any time getting my head down in my two hours off. I settled into the routine and thought I'd found my sea legs; this was unfortunately as short lived as the weather. The stars disappeared, the wind increased, the heavens opened and along came the waves, then it was not long until my stomach became as upset as the sea. This was merely the beginning of the brewing storm but after 24 hours at sea we gratefully returned to the marina. It was only thanks to the accurate forecast that we were not just beginning our sail and heading into what turned out to be the night of a fierce storm that hit the whole of the South coast.

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