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A chance find on Camber Sands, followed by some detective work, has reunited a brass name plate from the much-loved Sark boat Non Pareil with the family that built her.
Non Pareil was wrecked on rocks after breaking her mooring during the night of 26 September.
It ended a legacy of island tours that had lasted for more than 40 years.
During the October Half Term, Amy Ross Russell and her daughter Emmy were staying with friend Julian Dickens on the beach front at Camber, East Sussex.
"It's magical as you are right on the beachfront and see the whole coastline from every corner," said Amy.
"It was mid/late morning, high tide and the waves were crashing, but the sun was breaking through grey clouds. The water was so close and just looked so inviting I couldn't resist."
Pictured: Amy Ross Ross Russell and her daughter Emmy with their special find.
"I'm a keen open water swimmer, although by no means regular. I find being in water outside so therapeutic. I never go looking for debris though- and I've never found anything exciting before."
Emmy, 5, was keen to come too, and thought about swimming so togged up, but in the end she watched her mum swimming in the large waves.
"She stayed on the shoreline and as we walked back together we caught sight of a gold patch on a piece of wood, along the shoreline.
"We picked it up and looked at the writing and were intrigued, assuming it must have come from a boat along the coastline."
They left the find at their friends, who after finding it on their sundeck set about discovering where it had come from.
Pictured: The driftwood crossed the Channel from Sark to Camber in East Sussex, more than 170 miles (OpenStreetMap).
Mr Dickens found an article on Bailiwick Express and we then put them in touch with the Guille family to arrange for the brass plaque to be sent back to Sark.
"We couldn't believe it when we got their message, what a magical story and so wonderful to be able to reunite the family."
Pictured: The Non Pareil.
The Non Pareil was a wooden boat originally built in Sark.
She was a regular sight around the island every day for more than 41 years.
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