As I’m passing these notes on it’s a beautiful flat calm evening with the sun slowly sinking to the horizon. It’s been a sunny and warm day with no wind. I’ve been using this calm time to do a bit of clearing out of some of my lockers. I’ve been dumping some of the stuff I know I won’t eat or drink, but saving the containers for who knows what I might need them for? My fishy travelling companions are enjoying much of the stuff I’m pitching overboard and I’ve seen Trigger fish, Sharks and Tuna among others today. There are a family of little stripy fish that accompany me all the time and seem to have adopted the boats shadow as their home. I presume when I eventually stop and the boat comes out of the water they will just turn and find another boat to tag on to.

 I’ve also got some other travelling companions in the shape of barnacles and other things that have attached themselves to the bottom of the boat. Some of them are getting quite big now and I’m soon going to have to don mask and flippers to go in the water and scrape them off. If I leave them to grow it will just make the boat heavier and less streamlined, and rowing will become even more hard work. It’s amazing how the sea just teems with life. Put anything in the water and before long it will soon be supporting a vast community of life at every level. It’s just such a fertile environment.

 My spring cleaning includes some personal grooming too. I thought I might grow a beard during my voyage but have decided against as it’s just too hot and uncomfortable. I’ve just had a good wash and shave, but with all the salt around it’s difficult to get properly clean. I imaging I’m wouldn’t smell too good close up, but that’s not really a problem at present as there isn’t anyone around but the fish to notice! I’ve cut my hair quite short too. Again it was getting too long and uncomfortable so I’ve given it a good lopping.

 I’ve become an iPod convert. I’ve been aware of course of the way Apple’s iPod has become an essential part of many people’s lives, but never really felt the urge to use one myself. I’ve got quite a lot of music at home that I’ve collected over the years but always preferred to listen to it on my hifi or computer. In fact I had hardly any music saved on my p.c. hard drive and just used the CDrom as a player when I felt like it.

 Quite a while before I set off though, I thought it would be a good idea to take some other entertainment as well as the books I’d selected to read on my voyage. So I eventually got around to buying an iPod and began to save some of my music to iTunes. Along with my own collection some friends were kind enough to provide me with some of their music too. To the extent that when I set off I had about 8,000 tracks loaded up! Enough for me to listen to for about 30 days non-stop if I didn’t sleep! But more than enough to fill in the times when I needed some tunes to keep me entertained, and all contained in a little box that will fit into my shirt pocket. Amazing.

 I must say now that it has been one of the best things I’ve brought with me and, because of the music passed on to me from others, has introduced me to some songs and artists I wouldn’t have bought or listened to by choice. I’ve discovered some really good stuff that’s opened my eyes (ears?) to songs and styles of music that I wouldn’t have given a second thought to previously. Some days I just use the shuffle option and listen to what comes, but on other days I’ll pick one artist and play their music all day. I’ve just finished an Elton John day and it was great. I don’t think I’ll ever be separated from my iPod ever again.

Incidentally some of the books I’ve chosen to read relate to events in and around the Second World War. It’s the first time I’ve really taken an interest in this period of our history, but I’m finding it very interesting to read about what happened.

 The winds are still making life far from easy for me and they are continuing to push me south and east, but by continuing to do my Duracell bunny impression and rowing and rowing I’ve been able to keep making a little progress to the west. For some days now the winds have been blowing from a different direction nearly every day, all except the way I want them to. On the days when they aren’t pushing me the wrong way there’s no wind at all!! Surely the wind must turn in my favour eventually. I hope it’s soon.

 Thanks to everyone for your continuing support and interest in my voyage. Please keep sending the texts as they do help to keep my spirits up when the weather is bad or against me. I’m sorry I can’t respond to immediately to your questions and comments as my phone can only receive texts  I’ll do my best to clarify the things I remember through my blog which is being written up for me from notes I send back home when I can.

 Some of you are asking about the length of time it’s going to take to complete my trip. Well the original estimate was between 60 and 100 days. I think I can safely say that, the way things are going, it will be closer to the latter than the former at this stage. I’m trying not to think too much about how far there is still to go as it can be a bit demoralising, especially when the weather is against me. But I’ll be better able to say how long my voyage will take when I reach the halfway stage. By then the boat will be lighter, hopefully I’ll have some help from the “trades” and I’ll be better able to estimate my arrival time. Watch this space!

 I’m eating pretty well now and still drinking lots of water and tea. I usually have muesli in the morning. Chocolate biscuits and snacks during the day and a big meal at night. I managed to get my cabin dried out and am sleeping very well and in comfort.

 In general I’m feeling pretty positive and want to thank you all again for your encouragement and best wishes.

 Thanks again to all for your messages and support, with extra thanks to;

 Chelle and Mick

Phil

Christine

Pete Evans

Pete the Fish

Anna (thanks for the forecast)

John Dab

Paul (the gates) Blanchard

Dave Collis

Merv

Paul and Ellen              

Happy birthday Christine

 Thanks to John H for the blow up parrot. It’s on its perch with my own parrot who is on her third Atlantic crossing.

Especial thanks and love to Elaine, Bradley and Joel. I miss you all. xxx