This is an image from my first Atlantic crossing in 2014 in fact, between Gran Canaria and Mindelo on São Vicente in the Cape Verde Islands. It was an epic leg where the captain was unwell and a fellow female sailor and I had to get right out of our comfort zones. It's a long story. Ask us over a Cuba Libre sometime…

Many sailors I know prefer day sailing to ocean crossings. They can be claustrophobic and dreadful when you have a bad crew mixture, I grant you - like Love Island, with all the dreadfulness but none of the snogging/ fame/ big money payout, just broken friendships and a big headache at the end.

When you're sailing long distance with people you know and love, it's a whole other story. I'm massively looking forward to my next Atlantic crossing - number 3 in fact - with my husband as Captain and an all-woman crew of experienced and skilled sailors (who also happen to be badass cooks!).

I love the dawn watch, the thick black night ceding to a sparkling dawn. On mornings like this, a tangerine sunrise might herald the calm before the storm. We certainly had enough wind on that journey- we went like a train in that Lagoon 52!

COVID-19 has properly complicated 2020 (I think we're all agreed on this) so we've postponed our crossing on Cesarina to next year. Covid didn't stop me from following some of my dreams though. It's at times like this when it's important to pivot, to remain flexible, to stick with your dreams but adapt them to the circumstances or just get creative with how to execute them.

I'm thrilled to be raising money with this series of paintings for The Maiden Factor which is continuing to support education and inspire girls and women all over the world. Tracy Edwards was and continues to be a massive inspiration to me. If you haven't seen the film Maiden, all about her Whitbread Round the World Race entry with an all-women crew, please go and watch it. You'll understand why I wanted to be a tiny part of this story

Oil on board, 15cm x 20cm