Teacher sails from US to Scotland in Clipper Race

Charlie Whewell's voyage on the 11ft x 70ft boat lasted for almost a month

A teacher who has completed a 24-day sailing challenge from the east coast of the United States to Scotland said the experience was "fab".

Charlie Whewell, 47, from Rushden, Northamptonshire, signed up for the Clipper Race in 2020 as a way to "connect" with his mother, a former sailor, who died following a stroke.

Mr Whewell and his crew set off from Portsmouth in June following four weeks of training in the English Channel, and they returned in July.

His "leg" started in Washington DC and finished in Oban.

Charlie Whewell said he wanted to teach his pupils that there was a "world outside the window"

The Clipper Race crosses six oceans, with stops in Uruguay, South Africa, Australia and China – a distance of 40,000 nautical miles (about 75,000km.)

Each boat is crewed by up to 22 amateurs, aged 25 to 70, and one professional skipper.

Mr Whewell said the reality of being at sea all day had its "ups and downs" but being part of the crew was the best bit, "by a long stretch".

He added that he also enjoyed seeing dolphins, whales and sharks.

Mr Whewell said he had "learned a lot" and would take qualities of being more "tolerant and understanding" back into his school.