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Home | Press Reports | Round The World Sailor. Patrick Druce.

Mon Nov 8th 2010
Patrick Druce , right, is welcomed by Senior Vice President, John Orbell.

To Cruise around the World must be the ambition of many, to make the same
journey in a 48 foot Ketch, the  perogative  of few. This became a reality
in 1981 for Rotarian Patrick Druce, the Guest Speaker on the 8th November.

Accompanied by his Wife Sheila and 3 teenage children, this former Master
Baker, Caterer, and Hotel Proprietor left Brighton Marina in the April, for
what was to be a 4 year circumnavigation, in a their sail boat, 'Gloamin '

A Westerly route took them via the Canaries, New York, the Panama Canal and
onward to New Zealand, Australia, Indian Ocean, Suez Canal into the
Mediterranean, then picking up Inland Waterways across Europe, and finally
the North Sea to Brighton.

Patrick, who is Vice President of Chatteris Rotary Club, explained, the
journey was planned to visit relatives and friends scattered around the
world and take in as many 'Once in a Life Time' stops as possible. Hence the
extended time period and somewhat devious route.

There were occasional, and to be expected minor problems with equipment,
fortunately no 'life threatening ' incidents.

Illustrated with a selection of photos, his talk was very well received by
the packed audience.