A Cork couple who returned from sailing around the world said yesterday that, apart from being shot at as they sailed into Sudan and being caught up in the tail end of a hurricane in the Pacific, little unusual happened to them during their voyage which began in mid-August 1995.
The couple, Frank (56) and Barbara Fitzgibbon (51), who sold their home to buy a boat, were relaxing yesterday in their 39-ft yacht in Crosshaven after the two-year trip.
The parents of six grown-up children, they plan to return to work as self-employed business consultants for the next few years, but hope that when they next retire they will buy a camper van and tour the US and Canada.
"Very little happens in sailing 90 per cent of the time but the other 10 per cent is intense, dramatic activity," said Mrs Fitzgibbon, as the couple sat in their small boat recounting their adventure yesterday.
Having consulted their family after the last one left home, they first thought of sailing the Atlantic, a long-term dream of Mr Fitzgibbon, who is an enthusiastic sailor.
But when he discussed his proposal with Mrs Fitzgibbon, the couple decided to circumnavigate the world instead.
Most of the trip was plain sailing but Mrs Fitzgibbon had to fly home to Ireland for surgery, when she almost lost a finger during an accident on board before their first Christmas at sea.
After that they were mistaken for smugglers as they sailed into Sudan at night and were shot at by the army, and while crossing the Pacific they ran into rough seas at the end of a hurricane.
"When the sea is calm you do a lot of thinking, and when it's not you do less thinking and more praying," said Mr Fitzgibbon. Despite the occasional worrying moment, the couple said the trip was very good for their relationship and they are looking forward to their next adventure.