This is going to be a very short blog as I need some kip. The last 24hrs have been non-stop with huge storm clouds every six hours or so, and when I say huge they are something to both behold and experience. In a sense they are potential hurricanes in the making, for if the conditions are right these are the sort of things that go on to grow into a self generating force of destruction. You can watch them grow, sometimes very quickly as a number of clouds merge as if under the hand of some hidden conductor. Then they grow vertically as if reaching for the sky and you just know that there's trouble on the way. They don't necessarily follow the prevailing winds so a 360 degree watch is important.

They are so big that they appear stationary until quite close and then it happens very quickly with a burst of cold air preceding, anything up to a thirty to forty knot wind line that is so distinct that you can watch it tearing up the water as it bears down. 'All hands on deck', 'all hands on deck' and we tumble up with the sole aim of getting the big lug down and secure as fast as possible. Just throw off the halyard and let it run for if it's not down by the time the screeching wind and heavy rain arrives the other end of the boat can start to get obscured, damage will be done.

In most cases we have then had to rush aft and drop the mizzen and run off under the jib alone as we marvel at the power of the thing. They are completely unpredictable in that we had one blow for four hours and another lost its puff in half an hour, and yet made up for it by dumping such heavy rain for a couple of hours that it flattened the sea. The problem is that once they have past there is just this great void of energy, they just hoover it up. We are then left to wallow in a confused sea to await the return of a gradient wind. Up go the sails and off we go again, the next squall cloud already in site and so we go through the routine all over again.

Rest is impossible as she wallows, sometimes scupper to scupper as the crew on deck secure the mast to save it being torn out of her. Everything is wet above and below decks so it's a case of snoozing, working and eating. Funny thing is we are all as happy as ever as we work for every mile that we can - there's nothing else we can do!

Cheers Pete

From one of our best days to our worst with only 25NM being managed over the last 24hrs of effort. Well effort isnt quite the right word for much of it was spent with the sails on deck to save chafe as we waited for the wind. Oddly enough it was actually quite a fun 24hrs for it offered real contrast and change to the routine that has become part of our lives. With the tiller lashed a watch became quite liberating as one could wander round, read a book, make a cuppa.

We had a nice meal on deck with a sundowner and apart from the lookout went to bed for the night. During the day a lack of wind gave an opportunity to give the running rigging a once over which is always nice. There was the occasional period of frantic activity during the morning with huge clouds bringing very strong winds and rain. In fact you could watch a wind line tearing its way towards us was a useful warning that things were about to get exciting.

One point of interest is that Andy shone a torch over the side during his watch and there were loads of insects on the water skitting about much like a water boatman on ponds at home. Perhaps it is these that the small birds are feeding off as they dart here and there amongst the waves.

This morning saw a gentle breeze pick up from the NE so it was up with the sails and out with the secret weapon to give us a very grateful 3-4Knts of boat speed. This heralded a morning of work on the boat from a good old spring clean to sewing up some chafe on the log line which had tangled on the rudder and propeller as we were caught in irons on one of the gusts.

So Spirit of Mystery remains a very happy ship as we continue to trundle our way south as best we can with what we have - hope to crack 8 degrees North this afternoon so one can't deny that progress is being made.

Cheers Pete

I am sat below twiddling my thumbs after a day of hard work going nowhere, literally nowhere! We have just had supper on deck with all the sails down as we wallow in an oily sea with a dark overcast sky. When I say nowhere I mean it, for we have had the wind boxing the compass and ranging from a gale with driving rain to wallowing like a pregnant duck. The big lug has been up and clawed down in a rush on numerous occasions, as big clouds bearing torrents of rain and wind have swept over us to leave a vacuum behind filled with a confused and frustrated sea. The highs and lows of a voyage in forty eight hours, it's hard to believe that last night we were doing seven knots into a vibrant horizon with all the signs of it continuing into today. The funny thing is I don't feel the least bit frustrated - yet. I dealt with those demons a few weeks ago and just live for the moment for despite the lack of progress it has been a fun day. Mark sailed up to some rubbish on his watch and turned round an hour later to find it overtaking him! What can you do but chuckle?

Cheers Pete

This is going to be a short blog as it's been hard work for a while and I am overdue on some sleep. The last 24hr run was fantastic with 150NM of great sailing under our belt. Midnight saw us crack ten degree's North which we have always seen as a milestone and dawn knocked of nine degree's. During the afternoon yesterday we dropped the big Mizzen having noticed that the line lashing it to its spar had chafed through and needed replacing. The reality is that I am really surprised at the lack of chafe when you look at everything we have up in the air.

This morning, just after our fantastic run we hit a brick wall. A huge and menacing cloud line swept up over us; I donned my foulies and called Eliot on deck as he was due to replace me and waited to see what it would bring. Heavy rain preceded strong winds so it was all hands on deck to drop the big lug, and we spent an hour with the mizzen and jib watching the compass swing round to the west as we were headed. We tacked and put up the big lug with a reef and have since been trying to make some ground to the south and east. The trouble is that we have a very confused sea and the moment we get moving she is thrown off course and we have to start all over again.

I think it is just a case of holding on and waiting for more favorable winds to come along. I also think we can safely say that we have entered the Doldrums and have some frustrating times ahead. All the more so for knowing that the clock is eating into our arrival for Christmas. This brings me neatly on to gifts, and one of Eliot's highlights is to open one of his presents from Tracey and he has been counting down the days until the next one which was today. He took ages feeling them all trying to decide which was next and the result is a card game of which we will have a go at later and some sweets. It brings a bit of Mum into his life and his smile is worth its weight in gold. There's a big hug on its way to Cape Town Tracey.

I also have a present but will wait until tonight as it's time for some kip.

Cheers Pete