A Truro man and his family sailed to Africa on a yacht – despite no prior sailing experience.

Daniel Monk, 41, wife Bow, 36, family pulled daughters Amelia, 13, and Olivia, seven, out of school and sailed from Falmouth to Cape Verde in a 45-foot yacht they named Pancakes.

The father-of-two had always dreamt of sailing the world after battling a 13-year drug and alcohol addiction, and said it was "a dream come true" to do it with his family.

The family sailed from Madeira to Tenerife and down to Cape Verde, despite limited experience on a boat that size.

Daniel, who owns whisky company Cask World, said: "It was just always a dream to buy a boat and sail the world.

"We believe in being out there. If we're connecting with nature, that's more valuable than some Gucci. 

"We thought, how can we allow the kids to have a childhood without being influenced by external factors? I'm over the moon the children got to experience that."

Daniel’s addiction started aged 16. "I just started partying,” he said. "It turned out I was allergic to alcohol. I would take drugs and just lose control.

"I was still functioning, so it was very easy to say I didn't have a problem. My addiction was more binging.”

Things got trickier in his mid-20s. “That's when I realised mornings were difficult. It took me to a dark place."

Daniel was still in the depths of his addiction when he met Bow in Bangkok in 2010. A year later, he checked himself into rehab at Clouds House, Shaftesbury. It took him three years to maintain consistent sobriety and after checking out in in 2014, he and Bow tied the knot.

Daniel said: "We're so lucky to be able to survive addiction.” He credited his success to “the support of the 12 step communities around the world”. 

Daniel had grown up with his dad as a captain and going out on toppers and dinghies. He had always dreamt of sailing the world, and after years of looking for boats, he purchased a Rustler Yacht in 2021.

The couple wanted to show their daughters - who live in Chiang Mai, Thailand with Bow - that you don't need to know everything and can still try and work it out.

"I wanted him to make it happen,” said Bow. 

The family have always been big on nature and adventure - and the couple don't let their kids have iPads so they can focus on what is around them.

"I hiked to mount Everest base camp when I was eight,” said Amelia. "Last year I hiked to Kilimanjaro." 

But the family had no sailing experience and spent time in Mylor with sailor Dan Stroud, who had spent three years sailing on a similar boat. They were also invited to Sir Robin Knox-Johnson’s house for tea as a send-off.

In December 2023, Daniel sailed from Plymouth to Lisbon, where his family joined him. From there they travelled to Madeira, Tenerife and Cape Verde, then cross the Atlantic to Barbados. 

But the trip came with its challenges. "Bow was violently seasick,” said Daniel. “It was challenging. I was exhausted and it was relentless.”

"But something magical happened - the girls took care of us."

The family also made incredible memories including seeing dolphins and whales, snorkelling, racing in a regatta in Antigua and meeting other travellers along the way.

Despite the small proximities of the boat they always pulled together - even when they bickered.

"It was stressful and annoying,” said Amelia. "Because anything could go wrong on the boat, we had to work together even though we were mad."

The family also had scary moments, such as fearing orcas would topple their boat, and Bow and Amelia getting stuck on an island overnight.

Daniel and Bow were originally hesitant that the long trip might impact Amelia and Olivia's education. "Before we left we had a big fear - are we affecting the children?” said Daniel. "But they just bounced back."

Bow said the girls had "grown up" by seeing places such as Montserrat island and learning about the history. "It gave them good experience and to be confident. I think they learned a lot from this."

After a 10,000 mile trip, Daniel sailed the boat back to the UK last month, while the girls returned to Thailand.

The family are now selling Pancakes but are so glad they took the leap and are looking for the next adventure. They hope to inspire others to go for their dreams and very thankful to all the people helped them along the way.

"I'd rather I had my last day trying to do something like that than be safe at home,” said Daniel. "Aim for the stars and hit the moon. Go big."

Follow on Instagram @sailingpancakes and @caskworld