HEREFORDSHIRE estate agent Nick Craddock and his wife Jo have just returned from motoring around Britain on their 40ft yacht ‘Reel Estate’ to raise money for the RNLI.

The couple left Brixham, Devon, on May 11, intent on circumnavigating the country in six weeks and making £10,000 for charity in the process.

But, dogged by inclement weather and engine problems, they instead spent a gruelling two and a half months battling the elements and generally battening down the hatches.

They made £7,000 from sponsors and pre-booked guests, despite some dropping out due to the changing itinerary and, admirably, were both still smiling when they finally hit sunshine in Poole, Dorset, just three days from the finish line.

“One thing I have learned from all the ports and harbours we’ve been in is there’s really nothing to beat the south coast,” joked Nick, “it was glorious when we set off – but overnight it went a bit windy and rainy.”

Faced with crashing waves – which once meant they couldn’t leave the boat for days – the couple rapidly changed plans accordingly, with an unscheduled trip down the Thames for some London sightseeing being a particular highlight.

“It was brilliant,” said Jo, “and not something you’d ever do again probably.”

But at sea there is a down for every up and both admit there were times around Scotland and the east coast when they “thought it was all over”.

With 8ft waves at Beachy Head and water coming over the nose off Grimsby, cupboard contents often crashed through the galley as Reel Estate became airborne.

A hairy moment in Lowestoft also saw them rescued by the charity they were raising money for when an engine cut out.

“Heaven knows how they did it, but they did and finally we came to rest ignominiously on the fuel pontoon we had vacated only an hour or so earlier. Embarrassing or what?,” said Nick.

Their success in returning to Eaton Bishop in one piece will come as no surprise, however, to those familiar with a couple so well rehearsed in dealing with adversity.

They opened their first office in 1990, often working 16-hour days to build up the business, and set three personal goals – to own a snooker table, a speedboat and then a motorboat – which they achieved by 2003.

But as they began to enjoy their success, a 2005 spinal operation left Nick partially disabled and unable to walk.

Undeterred, Nick read about a couple sailing round Britain in 2006 and decided this goal was a “now or never” scenario.

“They did the trip for fun but I thought it would be a nice idea to do it for charity. It’s a personal adventure with something good coming out of it as well,” Nick said.

On board Nick’s disability means he does the driving while Jo, who returned minus a fingernail following a rope accident, is responsible for mooring up and galley duties.

“She has been a great companion for 70 days and has had a lot to cope with,” Nick said.

Their 22-year partnership (marked by a wet and windy glass of champagne in Lowestoft harbour en route) is obviously a winning formula which – to the benefit of themselves and the RNLI – is clearly capable of withstanding the toughest of elements.

Donations toward the £10,000 target can still be made. Visit round-britain.co.uk for details.