Bronwen and John Vearncombe had always wanted to travel, but with two children and challenging jobs, involving long hours and tiring commutes, their options were limited.

But they could dream.

John yearned to take part in a round the world yacht race, while Bronwen wanted to volunteer at an animal sanctuary in Namibia that she had read about.

Two years ago the couple from Swanmore, both aged 54, decided to take the first, big step towards making their dreams come true by leaving their jobs and setting up their own property management business, giving themselves more flexibility.

And the pair have just returned from an adventure of a lifetime, with John taking part in an almost year-long round the world yacht race, and Bronwen travelling the world too, working remotely, volunteering and being there to meet him every time his yacht came in to port at the end of each leg of the race.

"John dreamt of doing something like this, but never thought he'd be able to," says Bronwen, who admits that the couple still haven't adjusted to their adventure being over, for now at least.

"But then a friend who had taken part in a leg of the race – the Clipper Round the World Yacht Race – told him about it and the thought 'yes'.

"At first he was going to do one or two legs but then he decided to aim high, raise the funds and train up to take part in the full race.

"We then had to face the big decision of whether I should go too, as we didn't know if our business could survive without me being in the country."

John had limited sailing experience so it was a very big step for him. Bronwen was tempted to join him on one of the race's 13 legs, but didn't want to have to do all the training necessary.

"It's not a very pleasant way of racing, either," she adds.

"You're at a 45 degree angle most of the time, they don't shower or change their clothes much. It's an endurance race really."

Bronwen decided to travel and meet John for the first few races and see how it worked out and if their business could survive her being overseas for so long.

As well as working for around two days a week answering emails and speaking to people to manage their property business and also maintain their coaching business, teaching people how to invest in property to free up their time, she did various voluntary jobs, including two weeks at the animal sanctuary in Nairobi that she had dreamt of volunteering at, and three weeks planting trees with conservation volunteers in New Zealand.

"Travelling isn't very expensive once you're out," she says.

"It would have been more expensive for me to go home than to stay out, especially as we had rented our house out, and staying in hostels made it cheaper."

For Bronwen, the really special thing was being there to meet John at the end of every race.

"I really wanted to be there to welcome the yachts and make it more special for John," she says.

"When you're finishing a tough race, it helps to know that there is someone there waiting for you.

"Around 40 percent of competitors give up on the way. Some on his boat did. He was close to giving up but because I was there, I was able to talk it through with him. It was hard for him, when we were staying in a beautiful place, to get back on the boat, knowing how hard it would be."

Bronwen admits that she didn't always feel comfortable about John getting back on the boat either.

The race can be dangerous and participants have died, including Simon Spiers, who was racing on one of the other boats at the same time as John.

"I did have my misgivings," says Bronwen.

"I encouraged him to do some of the easy legs, but he wanted to do the whole thing, to be in that elite. More people have climbed Everest than have circumnavigated the world on a yacht.

"I was worried, but I knew that he'd regret it if he gave up."

The couple had between three and ten days together at each stop, depending on where John's yacht came in the previous race – those who arrived earlier had longer on shore.

They flew Bronwen's children, Robert, 24, and Laura, 21, out to Sydney, to spend Christmas together.

Bronwen and John encouraged Robert and Laura to spend the year having adventures of their own as well.

"We were renting the house out and we encouraged them to take the opportunity to do something different. We said that if you ever get the chance to do something like this, it's so good for you," says Bronwen.

"Robert went to the Everest base camp and spent six months travelling, and Laura went to Madrid to learn Spanish and lived in Tenerife for a while.

"They said that us doing this encouraged them to do something different too."

Bronwen says that it has been hugely valuable for her and John, who have been married for 13 years, to each have their own adventures.

While he was facing the elements on the yacht, she was experiencing mixing with completely new people, being on her own and visiting new places. Both had their own challenges.

"I missed John at times, especially if they were having difficulties," she says.

"Part of our challenge now the race is over will be being together more. We might have to find time to be apart. But the experience has definitely brought us closer together. We see each other in different lights now and are both proud of our own and each other's parallel adventures."

The couple now plan to write parallel books about their adventures and to travel lots more.

"We have friends all over the world now. It's been such a huge adventure.

"We will keep in touch with them and travel with a purpose – not just as tourists but to do something useful such as volunteering or raising money for charity.

"It's a whole new life now."

* You can read John's blog about his adventure at http://roundtheworld.blog/indexphp/2017/08

* John and Bronwen have been raising money for the St George Foundation, which works to relieve poverty and sickness and advance education, in particular among children and young people in Sierra Leone. To make a donation, visit www.justgiving.fundraising.com