by Jenni Horn

EXCLUSIVE

Young Harry Coxon has swapped the classroom for the high seas as he sets sail around the world with his family.

It won't be the first time the 10-year-old, from Chatham, has crossed the globe by water - but last time he was far too young to remember.

Harry was born in Fiji after being conceived while his parents, John and Sara Jane, and older sister Charlotte were travelling around the world on their yacht.

A decade on, 60-year-old John has retired from his post as a consultant surgeon at Medway Maritime Hospital so he and Sara Jane, 53, can repeat their adventure with Harry.

Harry, a pupil at Balfour Junior School, will be taught by his parents on board for the next three years.

Speaking before they set sail from Upnor, Sara Jane said: "We set off in 1999, also from Upnor, and it took us two years to go around the world.

"Our daughter Charlotte was 10 at the time, she's 21 now. We have always planned to do the trip again when Harry was 10 and go to places we didn't go to last time.

"Our first stop will be the Channel Islands, where we hope to spend about a month. We plan to be in the Caribbean for Christmas this year and New Zealand for the following Christmas.

"I think it will be easier this time because we have done it before. We have been planning for the past year and John has been learning Japanese for the past three years.

"It seems to have been a big rush to get everything sorted out at the last minute, but we are really looking forward to it now. The hardest part will be missing family and friends."

The Coxons set sail on their 44ft yacht, named Sara Jane, on Saturday afternoon .
Dozens of well-wishers gathered on the pier in Lower Upnor to wave them off.
Daughter Charlotte, who works for the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, hopes to join her family for part of the trip.

Harry said: "I can't believe it's happening now. I'm most looking forward to visiting the Galapagos Islands and seeing the turtles. All my friends are jealous I'm going."