A TRAVELLING family have found themselves in an unusual position as a result of the coronavirus lockdown.

The pandemic has left many people across the UK kicking their feet as they exhaust their board game collections in a desperate hunt for something to do while stuck in their homes.

But Alan Wood, his wife Irenka and their children Rowan, Darry and Yewan are isolating in Spain, on a boat, several metres above the ground.

The family, from Rottingdean, are living aboard their yacht in a Mediterranean boatyard.

They set out two years ago to fulfil a lifelong ambition of sailing around the world but have had their progress put on hold by the stringent limitations placed on travel to prevent the spread of coronavirus.

The Argus:

Alan said: “Before the Spanish lockdown we had our boat lifted out of the water to do some essential repairs before crossing the Atlantic. Six weeks later we are still living on the boat, several metres above ground, and home-schooling the kids.

“Despite difficult conditions we have decided to stay because if we go back to the UK we won’t be able to return to Spain for the foreseeable future.

“Sailing is also now heavily restricted in most parts of the Mediterranean and our contacts tell us that is true of most parts of the world.

“The boat is our home so we have decided to wait it out in the hope we can continue our journey when this all ends, although travel bans may extend to September according to President Macron of France.”

The family have been documenting their experiences on the family’s YouTube channel – Mother Ship Adrift Family Travel And Sailing Blogs.

The Argus:

The only time they are officially allowed to leave their boat is to go food shopping, though Alan said this could be an “ordeal” as they did not have a car and only one person was allowed to go shopping at a time. Instead, Lenka described the generous donations of food the family had received from other boat-owners leaving the yard including pork, chicken nuggets and an enormous quantity of onions and garlic.

With the Spanish lockdown due to last until at least May, they know they have weeks isolating on the boat ahead of them.

Alan admitted it was “difficult”.

But the family have kept their spirits up, organising a series of activities including learning dances, face painting and home-schooling to keep themselves entertained.

Alan said: “We are all healthy and we’ve got each other.”

  • The coronavirus Sussex Crisis Fund has been set up to help those affected by the pandemic. The Argus’s charity and American Express have each donated £50,000 to kick-start the appeal. Grants will usually be for up to £5,000. More information is available at www.sussexgiving. org.uk/apply. To donate visit www.totalgiving.co.uk/appeal/sussexcrisisfund