Mark Ashley-Miller was commissioned into the army at 18 and immediately sent on a sailing course while waiting to be deployed, following which he crewed on army and friends’ yachts. After ten years in the military, he moved into farming and then set up one of the first UK e-commerce companies selling unusual gifts, which he sold in 2017. This allowed him to buy a boat and start planning the Harbour Master Sailing Challenge.
“This is an impressive voyage which noses into some of the trickiest harbours around our shores. Harbour masters are rarely given credit, but without masters to manage them there would be no harbours. I shall think more kindly of them after reading this hugely engaging, and historically compelling, book.” (Paul Heiney, Commodore, Royal Cruising Club) “Mark's book gives an understanding of how much our maritime nation depends on the sea."" (Captain Sir Ian McNaught, former Deputy Master of Trinity House) ""Perhaps the most awe-inspiring circumnavigation that I have come across."" (Sam Steele, Author of UK & Ireland Circumnavigator’s Guide) “This charming book is a record of the author’s amazing achievement in sailing to nearly every harbour in the British Isles. It is also a fascinating read for all sailors and those interested in sailing and the sea.” (Robin Baron, President, Cruising Association)