Lucky, plucky solo sailor Jeanne, 76

How can it be, asks a reader from Italy, that our solo Brit round-the-world sailor, Jeanne Socrates, aged 76, avoids serious problems.

She never falls overboard, doesn't play chicken involuntarily with ships, doesn't get rammed, isn't phased by ocean monsters, like killer whales and tiger sharks, notes Michael from Pisa.

'Think of the stories of Bernard Moitessier, Vito Dumas, Rose, and Chichester,' Michael writes. 'This lady must have God riding shotgun.

'Didn't you come to grief in the Southern Ocean? Weren't there times when you were really afraid?'

Had my share

Michael's reminder does make it seem wonderful that Jeanne, who appeared on this page last night, has been spared really serious situations that hit many round-the-worlders.

I have to admit having had my share - rolled over, a seriously damaged foremast, a very close call or two with ships that didn't seem to have anyone on watch.

And a luxury yacht sunk after running into a submerged obstruction. Eight drama-filled days followed in a liferaft harrassed by sharks.

Michael asks about experiencing real fear, but usually serious mishaps require immediate attention and that in itself doesn't leave time for the luxury of realising how scared you are.

Perhaps the most worrying experience happened a little north of the Roaring Forties. I was trying to establish a record for the longest open boat voyage when a huge wave threw the little sailing boat upside down … Continues on the blogs for my ocean adventuring book, Sailing to Purgatory, at http://sailingtopurgatory.com/index.php/feeds/369-lucky-plucky-solo-sailor-jeanne-76