A 16-foot canoe loaded with food, 500 miles of wilderness ahead of us, camping on islands under the stars: paddling down the Yukon River remains one of my favourite adventures.

As I lie on my side in the tent trying to decide what to write about, I catch sight of my reflection in the small, handheld gadget I’mm typing this on.

In 2012 Alastair rowed across the Atlantic Ocean.

My head is thumping. My eyes are stinging. I’m weak with thirst.