A SEAFARING doctor will share tales from the ocean waves at a fundraising event in Dorchester.

Dr Nick Hollis will recall his adventures on an epic journey in a replica of an ancient vessel to help raise funds for the Dorchester, Sherborne and District branch of Citizens Advice.

His talk, Six Months on a Slow Boat to China, is being held at the Town Hall at the Corn Exchange on Friday, September 30.

Dr Hollis became the ship’s doctor on a journey from Sri Lanka to China as part of the historic voyage led by adventurer, author and film-maker Tim Severin more than 30 years ago.

He switched from working as an anaesthetist in a London hospital to becoming a shipmate on the Sohar, a 97-foot dhow built as a replica of the vessels that Arab traders used 1,000 years ago.

As the ship’s doctor on the Sindbad Voyage he found himself treating a range of injuries and also getting stuck in to the duties of sailing the unusual craft from helping to land sharks to coping with a month in the doldrums.

Dr Hollis said: "The Sindbad Voyage was a rare chance to go back in time over a thousand years.

"Besides the natural hazards of a medieval ship on an ocean voyage and the threat from piracy, it helped me appreciate some of the simple things in life like a wash in fresh water and the taste of an apple after weeks at sea eating rice and dried fish."

Daniel Cadisch, manager of Dorchester, Sherborne and Districts Citizens Advice, said: "This is guaranteed to be a talk to remember – full of adventure and drama and highly entertaining.

"We are grateful to Nick for his support for the work we do. Citizens Advice is a charity and relies on fundraising and grants in order to meet the growing demand from people who turn to us for free independent and impartial advice."

The talk starts at 7.30pm, with tickets costing £5 in advance available from the Citizens Advice office in Acland Road or from the Dorchester Tourist Information Centre.

They will also be available for £6 on the door.

CONTACT ME

t: 01305 269801

e: harry.hogger

@dorsetecho.co.uk

twitter: @DorsetEchoHarry