Well after 3 days of rain, squalls, mountainous seas, and the odd murdered fish we have been convincing ourselves this is fun. At last 500 miles underway we seem to have found the sun and donned the factor 50+ . The height of yesterday, apart from the wanton killing by C.Dundee of a dorado,was the opening by Claretta of the first of a series of presents given to her by her parents. We all sat on deck with polite curiosity as she pulled open the first mini-parcel. Jelly Babies !!!!! They lasted 30 seconds. We await with keen interest the edibility of today's prezzie. Today is finally dog day. We are prob the only sailing yacht on the Atlantic carrying 15 varieties of dog...all so far uneaten. It's like teasing a thirsty man in the desert with water but taking it away at the last moment.As I write, on deck, in 25 knots of following wind, surfing down some pretty impressive waves, the motley's sleep below safe in the knowledge that the illustrious skip will not fall asleep on watch. Today I will start the last in the Fifty Shades of Grey series, before beginning work on writing my next book looking at the Earls of Essex from then until now. Seems strange surroundings to be doing it. Simone our near Hamble bound weather girl updates us daily on how many places we have fallen back, and the weather to expect for the next 24 hours....even down to...'why you heading 250 when everyone else is 230 '? Answer: we are on autopilot ....seems it has a mind of its own. David and I will trawl through the handbook today and find out why it wants to go to Cuba, when we want to go to St Lucia. St Lucia has good Chinese restaurants...Cuba doesn't. We will lobotomise it's computerchip. Haven't seen another boat for two days now. Makes me wonder if we are going the right way. I simply tell the motleys I have worked out a short cutand we are so far ahead they can't expect to see anyone else. Dare not tell them the autopilot has thrown a wobbly one Till this evening...whenever this evening is...no-one sure what the real time is anymore !
El illustrious skipper-----