Friends from the start, Guylee Simmonds and David Schnabel bought an old lifeboat and transformed it into a seafaring, ice-crushing behemoth, capable of withstanding the rigours of the high seas.
The pair are architects by trade, and have fitted out the boat almost entirely by themselves.
They named their boat ‘Stødig’, Norwegian for ‘Steadfast’. At the height of summer last year, they left Dover for a voyage that would take them up the northern European coast to the tip of Norway.
Shackleton the dog
With them on the journey - temporarily on hold due to the Coronavirus pandemic – is Shackleton, a cocker spaniel. Along for the ride, Shackleton is now in isolation with Guylee awaiting the return of David before continuing the saga.
According to the BBC, Shackleton has already encountered ice floes and reindeer on his many walks.
When the adventure comes to an end, Stødig will be sold and the proceeds will go to the charity Hope Health Action which has projects in Haiti.
