Of Foreign Build: From Corporate Girl to Sea Gypsy Woman (Black & White)

Jackie ran away to the other side of the world cradling a heart-wrenching bereavement.

Facing a new culture, new husband, and no friends, she began living life as a cruiser with zero knowledge of boats.

Crashing within the first twenty-four hours, Jackie realised life would never be the same again. A floating home with no fridge or hot water; with a dinghy instead of a car. Suffering self-doubts she became fearful of her new world.

The first storm battered her physically and mentally but amid the raging seas Jackie began to shed the fear she'd been harbouring while trying to untangle the emotions of losing one man and (literally) falling head over heels with another.

She had lost a lot, and gained so much more; most importantly, Jackie found herself and a lifestyle few achieve.

Sitting in an office Australia after running away from London after Martin died, I realised I could be anyone in the world. It was all the same, grey walls, buzzing phones, suited personal. I hated it. I rang Noel, 'I am resigning, let's go buy a boat!'