After a month at sea we are all looking skinnier and browner by the day.  It is weird to think that we have not set foot on terra firma for over 30 days and it looks like we have about another 20 to go.

Today started with a big kick in the teeth, we had rowed our hearts out all night again permanently under threat from squalls, only to be told at 0830 during our usual update, that we had made a mere 40 miles in the previous 24 hours.  That is an average of less than 2 miles per hour!  The significance of this was that we would not make half way by lunch time as we had hoped for the previous day.  Everybody was particularly down about our arrival to the half way point being delayed yet again and the mood on the boat was not great, this was compounded by the fact that our arrival date in Barbados is not rushing towards us at the rate we had hoped for.

Things to a huge turn though when at 1100, as the sun heated up and the sea sat flat calm, Matt suggested that we stop at noon for a swim and some R & R.  What an afternoon it turned out to be, lots of diving and swimming, 3 big Derado for Lunch and a good wash for all the crew the boat and some smelly clothes.  It was thoroughly enjoyable, so much so we made the decision to bring forward our half way celebrations, which were due to happen with 1,500 miles to go, by 30 miles and break out the beer and relax a little longer in the blistering sunshine.  We finally got rowing again at 5pm as the sun cooled down.

But not before we had a little commotion, as while Pete was washing our cooking pot the handle failed and the pot went swimming.  He leapt into the water to attempt to save the day, knocking Mylenes drinking bottle in in the process, but the pot slipped towards Davy Jones’ Locker before he could get to it.  He did manage to save the bottle though and while doing so nearly knocked Pedro out, as he flung the bottle back towards the boat.  A few frantic strokes later and he had caught up with the boat and climbed aboard.

More importantly though during all the madness I nearly spilled my beer, crisis averted though I managed to hold on to it and savor the last warm mouthfuls!  Oh and don’t worry we do have one spare pot.

Last night the rowing was nice and peaceful as the wind died again and he stars came out, unfortunately although calm seas do make the strokes nice and smooth it also results in the boat moving very slowly, again only about

2 miles per hour.  According to Stokey we will have this for another 2-4 days and then the Easterly winds we all eagerly crave should kick in yet again, fingers and toes crossed.