Early morning voices woke me and leaving Simon sleeping I went up on deck in time to join ARC staff welcoming Joice and John on Fair Encounter just behind us. Simon soon woke and we shared bubbly while hearing horror stories of their ripped mainsail and broken whisker pole. Leaving them for a well earned sleep Simon had bacon and eggs for his Sunday breakfast. It was another day on the internet and today I caught some family on Skype and at last got round to sending lengthy emails to friends who have been constantly in my thoughts but so far away with no proper internet access. I felt this was the first proper chance I had to write since leaving England.

   There was great excitement today with news going round of the arrival of Silver Bear. We’d met Ali and Ray in Las Palmas and they had been total heroes on their crossing when Starfire a Sadler 25 non ARC boat (or NARC as they’re commonly known) hit something and lost their rudder. Despite the difference in boat size Silver Bear stayed with them keeping them in sight all the way across. We gathered in numerous numbers to greet and congratulate them. It was a wonderful welcome with foghorns, torches, cheers and laughter.