What a lovely night was had last night, not just for progress either, although I have to confess a 140NM run does feel good when plotted on the chart.

It was a night of bright moonlight until the early hours when it set. Whilst it graced us with its presence, highlighting the water and clouds, time seemed to stand still. Indeed, I went on deck for my two hours only to find that I had gone overtime on my first glance at my watch. Once the Moon set we entered a world of darkness that was touched with streaks of light from shooting stars above and phosphorescence below. One phenomenon that really stands out is when a jelly fish pulses on our passing; being full of phosphorescence and opaque it provides a concentrated flash that is bright enough to make one stare at its intensity. The odd one holds a steady glow and acts as a marker for progress as we slip by in a world with little reference.

During periods of quiet on the helm there is the steady trundle of the Walkers Log to keep one company. It is a beautiful piece of equipment from another era, and all the more special as it was a gift from my dear friend Vikki Penny who sadly passed away just before we set sail. This voyage was everything to her and I often feel her presence at night as she records our progress. The best I can do to describe it to ask you to think of a cross between Victorian engineering and a clockwork toy. It's a solid brass structure and weight is mighty, way beyond anything of today, and with it brings reassurance. The face has two arms, one for tens of miles up to a hundred and the other, for miles up to ten. The mechanism is driven by an impeller that is towed on a long line aft and its simplicity belies its accuracy. I love it and can well remember as boy learning to navigate with a later version with my father who had a knack for knowing where he was, an instinct based on a depth of understanding that many would envy.

This morning the wind has eased and we have cloud cover offering shade from the sun that seems to get harsher by the day. We have decided to make today a day to remember with a nice meal this evening with a dram. Mark has a craving for toast and marmalade so I shall bake bread and he shall have his wish for lunch.

Andy is going to flash up the BEGAN; our satellite system that enables us to get pictures and video off the boat, so stand by for some pictures from the Good Ship Spirit of Mystery.

Cheers Pete

Apologies for the lack of a blog yesterday but we were suffering from a software issue, and having sorted it out I had a kip and missed the moment!

Now, this next bit you need to read out loud and slowly with a heavy Devon accent: "'Red sky in the mornin, Global Warmin ...... Red sky at night Tractors on Fire". Always makes me chuckle that one, and it seems apt as we have been having a lot of global warming and burning tractors at either end of the day. We haven't however, had the wind to go with it and I have to confess that a couple of days ago a passing hint of despondency crept into my world.

So far on this voyage we have not had the best of winds, and have had to really work for progress wherever we have been able too. Sat in the rain at two in the morning with the mizzen giving me a wet slap every time it lazily flopped for one side of the boat to the other, I did start to wonder if it will ever come good. Of course the underlying niggle is that I am desperate to make Cape Town for Christmas, and yet being impotent it is pointless to allow eddies of frustration to creep in. Frustration which can only mar the experience.

I guess it's all part of settling into life at sea as opposed to the mad world we live in at home where we spend most of our lives over the horizon, and allow the real here and now things to slip past unnoticed. Even now I can hear Tracey saying 'seize the day', it's not a new concept Carpe Diem; comes in Latin as well and that is what I am going to do.

Of course we have to keep pushing as we work our way south. Robert the Bruce and his persistent spider comes to mind. Just keep at it and it will all work out in the end. Looking at the thread of a pencil line that wends its way across the chart to Cape Town it is obvious now, just keep tugging at it with the resources that we have at the time. There will be good and bad days but they will even each other out so just enjoy those sun sets and sunrises for they will only happen once.

No sooner had I worked this through, as I have to do on every voyage, and the wind picked up and we managed a 135NM day which was filled with the joys of life. The morning saw the best pod of Dolphins to date and we finished the day off with a belting Chilly Con Carne from Mark. Life's good when you allow it.

Cheers Pete

Yesterday was a good day with all boxes being ticked from good weather to a great feel onboard, as we had a day where we could indulge rather than just work our way through the routine. Food was definitely a theme with a concerted assault on Eliot's intake which started with a fat boy fry up from Mark for breakfast. Our first batch of fresh bread from me for lunch, and a stunning pasta with bacon and cheese sauce from Andy. Proper homemade sauce that is, and the result of all this was a happy Eliot staggering to bed like a well fed pup with a big smile and plump belly.

Food is starting to be a real part of the daily routine as we move from fuel, into it being a highlight - something that people want to do. It's part of humanity, wanting to care and give and it's through food that we have the perfect vehicle for this. I have to say I have been very pleasantly surprised on a number of counts here. Powdered egg has obviously come on a very long way since the war. Our first scrambled egg had many a story ringing in my ear from the older generation about that muck they had the cheek to call a substitute. It's really very good. I have baked bread a couple of times but yesterday's effort was really good fun, and not as onerous as I seem to recall. It's all in a bag that simply needs water, some kneading, and half an hour to rise before popping it in the oven for thirty five minutes. Dripping with butter, marmite, jam or honey - I can still taste it.

This of course brings me full circle and to the toilet and rationing. We decided, after much discussion, that four sheets of toilet paper per day would be enough. Andy bought the required amount and we were all quietly and independently shocked at this meagre little stock on the quay. The bogey man of doubt played its tune and we all stuck a bit more on the boat to the point that we now have enough for a circumnavigation. Although we have a toilet we have found that one of the simple joys of the day is to park ones rear over the side and take in the vast expanse of the universe as the 'needful' takes its course. Stunning view, amazing sound track of the hull making its way through the water, and no pumping at the end of it all.

I am hoping that there is someone out there who has some knowledge of turtles, for the one we saw a few days ago all on its own in the middle of nowhere has really struck a chord. Imagine the mind set required to face an ocean with six inch arms and breast stroke being your only option. It's a subject of discussion onboard and the big question is what do they eat as there can't be many things on the food chain that are slower? The other question is, where will it be heading and how will it know how to get there?

Our pace was not what we would have hoped for yesterday but we did manage a hundred miles, so progress was made and all we can do is gnaw away at it with the weather that we are given. So far today things have picked up a bit and we are making about six knots so if it holds out we will own another a nice little chunk on the chart by the morning. We daily measure and compare our progress with the original voyage, not out of any competitive spirit, but as a bench mark against which we can judge making Cape Town for Christmas.

Let's hope we can hold the wind to the doldrums and then be gifted good speed through this area of unknowns.

Cheers Pete

As you all know Spirit of Mystery has several differnet types of mascots onboard, and now I have one too, albeit shore-based. He will now have pride of place on my desk throughout the SOM journey! A very kind lady who is an avid supporter of the project sent this Kaola bear as a thank you in return of a 'little' help given - a very generous gesture indeed. Thank you Belinda!

I've given him the name of 'Ozzy' (I know very predictable) although this is only temporary until I can think up a more suitable replacement. He really deserves a name that would relate to both 'Spirit of Mystery' and Melbourne, Australia. It's not that easy, not for me anyway! If you can come up with any better ideas, then please let me know.

Best wishes to all

Mandy (and Ozzie x)