BA's tall ship treat

Craig, 42, who lives in Downview Close, Yapton, with his wife Annette, graduated from his seven-year Open University degree course in Environmental Studies this year.

In March, he set off for the adventure of a lifetime, helping crew a tall ship from the Canary Islands to Southampton, leaving Annette, a nurse, at home to continue studying for her masters in cardiology with Brighton University.

Craig, a former Royal Navy engineer, planned a sailing trip for the end of his degree about halfway through the seven years.

He wanted a treat he could look forward to and work towards when his enthusiasm for studying was flagging.

So he booked himself a place on a Global Challenge Round Britain and Ireland race.

But when the event's organisers, Southampton-based Challenge Business International, went into administration in October, Craig's dream celebration was left high and dry.

Although disappointed, Craig quickly found an alternative, a place helping crew the Lord Nelson tall ship with the Jubilee Sailing Trust.

Setting off from Las Palmas with 48 crew members, the boat make its way back to Southampton via St Malo, arriving in England on April 15.

"One of the highlights of the trip was climbing the mast," said Craig. "It's 35 metres tall and you have only your hands and feet to keep you on it so the first time you go up there it is really scary.

"The view was amazing though and definitely worth it."

Now settling back into his job as a waste water process scientist for Southern Water based in Chichester, Craig said he was proud to have graduated with a 2-1 (hons) in his degree.

"It was a relief to finish it and to get a decent grade," he said. "I studied hard for seven years to get, that's a long time, and each night after work I had to come back home and study for a couple of hours. I had to be very self-disciplined.

"It helped that I was doing something I am interested in and that I can apply to my day job as well.

"The Open University was perfect for me because it meant I could study in my own time and didn't need a student loan to pay for accommodation or anything as I studied at home using DVDs and texts I was sent.

"My course fees were 5,500 but over seven years I think it was well worth it."

Now he has finished his degree Craig said he is enjoying being able to watch television when he gets home from work and not having the pressure of studying.

He and Annette plan a sailing holiday together soon.