Position 35:03.63N  06:55.97W

Sunday 25^th October 2009

At 10.00am the guns fired and 18 yachts, all with main sails and Blue Water flags flying, crossed the start line between Europa point in Gibraltar and the naval launch in position to mark the line.

The sun was shining, the seas were smooth and a light North Easterly wind set us on our way with friends and family waving us off from the top of the rock.

Blue Water Rally 2009 has begun !

It was another emotional morning, Paul flew in on Friday to join us for the first leg and Bev and Martin and Tim and Heather arrived this morning to give us hugs and kisses before we slipped our mooring lines, they then went up to Europa point to wave us off, how fantastic is that ?

We have had lots of messages from all of you wishing us safe sailing and a good trip – thank you !

Now the adventure begins.

I am writing this first blog of the rally at midnight on day 1, half way through my watch, Mark is in bed asleep and Paul is up in the cockpit, unable to sleep yet and so ready to take over watch at 0100. We are motoring as the wind is too light to sail.

The rods have been out all day but no fish yet so it was Shepherds pie for dinner followed by jelly and cream which I am becoming strangely addicted to.