Greetings Dear Blog readers.... astonishingly, we have passed another day and so, welcome to Bulletin Number 12 .  Today was the day that The Big Dog had his outing but, the general opinion was, “Bad Dog, No Biscuit! ’’ and straight back into his kennel.  Basically, with the winds light but the sea sloppy, the ’Dog was supposed to give us another 2 knots (nautical miles per hour) but couldn’t manage it. Bad dog! Or more accurately, Bad Pretty Dog!  You know, it’s a bit like having a miniature poodle as a guard dog.  One thing (perhaps the ONLY thing) in its favour was that El Hoff liked the colour. Look out for a glowing ‘ad’ on e-bay sometime soon.

So here we are again, wing and wing into the setting sun.  The calmer seas at least make one feel that you can risk hanging on with just ONE hand instead of two, plus clenched buttocks, at all times! Last night in bed, with the I-Pod (other brands are available) playing, the sea’s rhythm was actually quite pleasant for the first time in 12 nights.

We have now passed 2,000 miles which is pretty incredible and giving us all a lot of satisfaction. Did we mention at all that it is warm?  I know that some of you in Northern latitudes must be thinking how lucky we are and you are right!!!!  Seriously, preparing the meals and while getting to sleep in the cupboards, sorry, berths tends to be quite hot. The sun was pretty relentless today until the crew went forward to bring the ‘Dog back in....when it obligingly chucked it down for the whole operation.  However, after the heat, the dust, the flies etc, they actually enjoyed it... Poor fools!

A milestone meal was enjoyed tonight.  From here on in, it’s either tinned or packet meat or fish, although some veggies are still holding out. Their days are equally numbered. The last tomatoes went at lunchtime so the choices get a bit more limited.  All good choices Valerita, Honest! X My guess is that when we arrive, there will be a minimum of 200 packets of instant soup left and unless El Hoff plans a winter cruise, they will all be here next time.

Noon time cockpit sextant classes are still popular and I am fairly confident that within the next few days, someone will know where the hell we are???

And now, we turn again to the Three Amigos, those luckless fishers who so far, in 2000 miles have not had any success.  Not a single Pacific Sockeye Salmon, not a Dover Sole .NADA... and not even a hint of the ‘T’ word..... However, as one of my friends likes to say, ‘Hope is the last thing to die’’ so we wait, rod out, day after day, a dream of the Tuna version of El Gordo finally coming aboard. Until then dear friends, keep  reading and waiting and we look forward to giving you one view of life on the BBWT again soon.

Best wishes (but no fishes) from all the lovely Knightriders somewhere in the South Atlantic.

Stay Tuned, your pal Choff, Blogmeister du jour+