We bought Clemency back in 2002 and although, at forty five foot two inches, she is probably a little on the small side for long-term cruising, we would be reluctant to part with her. We have, until the Great Escape, used her extensively for part-time boating and fitted her out in anticipation of our retirement cruise.

Our part-time boating mostly took place on the River Great Ouse from our mooring near Denver Sluice and, during the winter of 2012/13, we tried to have at least one night a week on board in order to check out the viability of boating in the worst of the British weather.