Well dear reader heaven is a place in mid Atlantic around 14:50N  45:59W we are rolling along at 8 kts flying a full main and spinnaker under a blameless blue sky and 30 degrees.

With “only” 850 miles to go our thoughts are inevitably turning towards the hero’s reception awaiting us in St Lucia and the chance to get our hands on the rum punch so often and fondly spoken of by the ARC organisers and other competitors.

Today started in a very perky fashion with the crew managing to exit their bunks unaided negotiating egg and bacon for breakfast and then the cry went up “what shall we do now?”

Small jobs requiring little effort were found books were read while others gazed to the horizon reflecting on the meaning of life and what is on the lunch menu.

A curry lunch was served in trying conditions of heat and a 3m following sea, the crew devoured the delicious nosh delicately served in dog bowls to avoid spillage. The house wine was served once it was cornered and restrained as the silver bag containing this toxic fluid has escaped its box and inhabits the floor of the forward shower threatening anyone foolish enough to enter.

The heat of the afternoon took its toll and one crew member who will remain nameless “Charlie” was an hour late for his watch and faces a Court Marshall, the general feeling is the keel hauling is the likely punishment.

As the sun slowly sinks in the west I end this rambling and find out what is happening on deck as we appear to be rolling around the ocean in a random manner.