Aretha - Slow boat to China (well Brazil) 15 14 South 20 02 West

Calmest most consistent conditions yet. The seas are absolutely flat calm and we’ve been steadily moving forward at 4-5 knots in wind as low as 2 knots and up to 10. Its as benign as it gets.

Whilst many boats have resorted to diesel power and have put their engines on, we’ve been enjoying the time at sea and taking our time. It’s not lost on Nichola and I that this is our last ocean crossing before we circumnavigate in Grenada. Time at sea like this is to be savoured.

It helps it’s a full moon and the night sky is stunning. Last night on deck I lay on the aft deck looking up at the moon and stars. I ended up closing my eyes and being rocked to sleep under the night sky. It’s warm and just shorts are needed on deck. I can’t think of anywhere I’d rather be.

The crew are all in fine fettle. Willow is settled and happy doing jigsaws and her schoolwork, Columbus reading his animal books and playing cards, Bluebell still takes some prising away from watching a movie on a laptop, but spent time on deck earlier today chattering away with Paul for an age.

Jani is racing through his reading of the Elephant Whisperer and the Last Rhino whilst Paul is helpfully proofing the latest chapters in my book and providing feedback.

Nichola and I are enjoying time to plan our next adventures and where we’ll go next. We’re viewing it as a treasure hunt - we have some exciting decisions ahread of us.

Very little to report on the sailing or fishing front. We’re still working through the poems and have the children delivering the readings now - Bluebell delivered the Hunting of the Snark by Lewis Carroll yesterday - thank you Juanita.

There is very little shipping out here - what little we see we are calling up and having a chat with them. Paul in particular is keen to get on the airwaves whenever he can. Some are more talkative than others. One oil tanker bound for Galveston had 300,000 barrels of oil being shipped there from Saudi. He called up 3 times to ask more questions and was concerned that as we were such a small boat, did we have enough food on board. I think maybe we’ve seen 8-10 ships in some 1,000 miles.

Joke time. Would anyone care to share their favourite joke with us? Best joke will get a special prize.

Have a super day everyone

Team Aretha (the slow boat to Brazil), Out.