Cast and Crew
An adventure like this is never just two people. Here are the ones who sail her, the ones who built her and keep her going, and, as the journey goes on, some of the interesting people we meet along the way.
Skipper
Mike learned his love of all things boating as a crew member, and ultimately a helmsman, on the Portsmouth Lifeboat in the early 1990s. He served for over five years and was involved in more than 50 rescues.
He is now a professional skipper, qualified to captain boats of up to 200GT up to 150 miles offshore.
First Mate and Charter Manager
Kate and Mike are husband and wife. Kate is a trained physician and an HCPC-registered Podiatrist.
She is First Mate and Charter Manager aboard Che Bella Vita, with an STCW qualification, an RYA Inland Waterways Helmsman's Certificate and a VHF Operator's Licence (GMDSS Short Range).
In the galley she is in her element too, cooking the quality home-made food that keeps everyone aboard fed.
Ship's Dog
Bella sailed with us as Ship's Dog.
Apart from eating bones and sleeping, Bella's whole goal in life was to be able to sit on the sofa just like everyone else. And sometimes, but not all the time, we would let her!
Sadly she is no longer with us, but she remains very much in our hearts and in the story of this voyage.
HWKE: He Who Knows Everything (pronounced "Whokee")
Simon owns Piper Boats, the company that built Che Bella Vita, and has been an outstanding source of support and knowledge all the way through our journey. He is always willing to help.
He is in turn supported by a superb and friendly team of engineers, including Joe, Josh and Woz, all of whom appear at various points throughout the site.
Engineer, Piper Boats
Joe oversaw the specification and build of Che Bella Vita.
Engineer, Piper Boats
Josh helped commission Che Bella Vita when she was new, and has helped maintain her ever since.
Engineer, Piper Boats
Woz is one of the Piper engineers who has helped keep the boat running, including fitting her new engine.
Lord, or possibly Sir
We bumped into Les in a bar right opposite Windsor Castle, and he was utterly fascinated by our trip. "That's really fucking interesting," he said.
It was our first real encounter with somebody who understood what we were trying to do and didn't say we were nutters.
We really liked Les. We wish him luck, and if he ever gets to read this, please ask him to get in touch.
Friends made in Portishead
I had travelled single-handedly from Bideford and was very, very tired on arrival in Portishead. Anna and Ayan had learned about the voyage and contacted me before I arrived.
They were there to help me tie up, then invited Kate and me to their home for dinner later that evening. Kate had been working in the Cotswolds that day.
We had a wonderful dinner in the company of very kind, very generous people that we now think of as lifelong and great friends.
A letter to Pipers, 8 September 2026
I wanted to let you know of Josh's and Woz's visit this week.
Josh and Woz were just exceptional. Kate and I spent most of the time they were here gobsmacked at their technical and engineering ability. Marry this with their natural cheerfulness, helpfulness and willingness to do what is needed to get the job done and we were just over the moon.
On day 1, they began work at 7am, they must have left home around 5am to get here, and they continued working to gone 8pm. A lot of that time they had to be out in the pouring rain, clambering across a dredger and up a sheer wall quayside.
They helped Kate and I move the boat from one end of the harbour to the other, manning the ropes. This was definitely going above and beyond. But without their help I would have really struggled to get the boat to the crane.
By 7pm they had removed the old engine, fitted the new engine and fired it up, and then stayed on to ensure it was safe while we moved the boat to a secure mooring. I couldn't have asked for anything more.
But more was to come...
On day 2, the diesel dipper was fitted. This required new pipework. The wheelhouse flooring was completely relaid. The engine was tested under load. All our other questions were answered. Then they ensured the engine room and wheelhouse were made spotless. There was literally nothing more we could have wanted.
I remember when we first bought Che Bella Vita, and witnessing Josh and Sean commission it in the baking heat, with no shade, and at the end of what must have been an exhausting day staying on to pump up my tender and secure it to the davits. And then drive home again from Harleyford to Cheshire at the end of the day. An 11 on 10 performance.
And now another 11 on 10 performance from Josh and Woz.
Kate and I are just bowled over, and truly grateful. We can't wait to get back to sea on our next leg up to the Caledonian and it is all down to what we believe to be a truly excellent Piper team.
Well done to everyone there that this level of performance seems to be unremarkable. To Kate and I it is fabulous. We are once again truly delighted with the help, support and expertise we have received from Pipers and could not wait to write and tell you about it.
A massive thank you!
Kate and Mike
