Bev and Allan Dornan's Catamaran Cruise

The Crew of the Good Ship "Bagpuss"

During our travels we have had a few people stay over on the boat. This page is dedicated to them.

Bev & Allan Dornan

We met in 2000 and married in 2003. Allan had previously done some sailing in the Norfolk broads at Horning Sailing Club on his 20ft Yeoman open keelboat Sea Breeze. Bev had been "deck fluff" on a Greek charter holiday. Together they attended sailing courses at Bisham Abbey Navigation school and a Day Skipper practical course with Sunsail in the Solent. In preparation for the trip they did a couple of charter holidays in Greece on Aerial, a Dufour 30, and Anonymous a Jeaneau Sun Odyssey 37. To make sure they liked catamarans they also had a weeks charter on Inordinate a Fountaine Pajot Venezia 42 in the Grenadines.

Chris & Ben

Allan arranged for Chris and Ben, two marine electricians, to come over to La Rochelle to help fit out Bagpuss with all her shiny new electronics and other goodies. They stayed with us for over a week and did a great job.

Gerard Verdino

We met Gerard when he was visiting the factory to sort out the specification of his own Belize. He subsequently very kindly offered to help us get the boat out of La Rochelle, across Biscay and down the coast to Portugal. This was invaluable experience and a big help to getting us on our way.

Joyce & Bill Stratton

Bevs Mum and Dad, came to see us in Lagos, Gran Canaria, the Grenadines and New Zealand. Bill also crossed the Atlantic with us from Gran Canaria to St Lucia - impressive as this was his first big trip at sea.

Rita & Don McCallum

Allans Mum and stepfather came to see us in Gran Canaria before we set off on the the Atlantic Crossing, They both really enjoyed the island, it had been a long time since either had travelled overseas.

Callum & James Dornan

Allan's sons Callum and James first came to see the boat in Lagos Portugal, where we spend a few weeks. They have since been on board in the Grenadines and New Zealand.

Francesca Rapacioli

Francesca first visited us in Madeira and then again in New Zealand, making her our most visited friend from the UK.

Ted and Jamie

We met Ted and Jamie in a bar in Marigot Bay St Lucia. They travelled up the coast with us to Rodney Bay and we hung out with them a few nights back there. Jamie is now living on a boat in Turkey.

Stephen & Karen Elliot

We first met Stephen and Karen on their arrival in St Lucia after crossing the Atlantic in their boat Trade Secret. We kept in contact most of the time from there to New Zealand. Stephen stayed with us overnight in the Panama canal and they both came to visit just before they flew back to the UK.

Matt Harrop & Mel Hogg

We bumped into Matt and Mel Matt on their catamaran Meander, just before the start of the ARC. We kept in touch and shared a lot of great experiences across the Pacific. Matt was another of our crew through the Panama canal. Matt & Mell also stayed when they visited us in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand.

Steve Clayton & Anna

Steve and Anna dropped by on the first and last days of their epic tour of New Zealand by car. Steve worked in the same company as Allan & Bev in the UK.

Angie Wallace

We first met Angie in Tonga when she was crewing on a friends boat. Ange was a visitor in Gulf harbour, New Zealand on her way back up to Bay of Islands and a trip up to Fiji.