The un-named 35 year old decided that he would rather like to start off small,  and take a three mile trip from Milford, Hants to the Isle of Wight. So far, so intrepid! However, he was slightly unprepared for the voyage ahead. He decided that he did not need such extravagances such as a radio, a life-jacket or some flares. Oh no, he was confident that he had everything he needed on his boat for this mini-expedition.

The ‘boat’ (actually quite a loose term for this contraption) was made up of an old door, a clothes horse, a few bits of polystyrene (well it needs to float), a parasol and windbreak (well you have got to have a bit of shelter out on the open seas, as it could get a bit chilly with all that sea spray) all held together with a bit of ancient washing line! Oh, and not forgetting a tea-light lantern (with a couple of extra tea-lights just in case), for navigation.

Unfortunately but not surprisingly, things started to go wrong for this madcap mariner when he tried to put the parasol up and the whole contraption broke to bits in the sea. Luckily there was quite a bit of wreckage strewn about in the Solent, and he had something to cling onto. Also a beachcomber heard his frantic cries for help and called the coastguard.

He was rescued after having spent 40 minutes in the freezing water suffering from shock and hypothermia (considering he was just wearing shorts and T-shirt)!

Back to the drawing board I think!