Virginia’s turn because she was the first up, and has seen more of the day than most! Despite the anchoring being very calm and beautiful last night, my turn on anchor watch was not as calm as I had hoped, I was up 8 times to switch it off and check we hadn’t actually drifted too far. We hadn’t! On one occasion I jumped out of bed hearing popping and squeaking to see a lovely small iceberg drifting by quite fast! Beautiful, and not big enough to be a danger. The alarm at 0700 was very unwelcome but as it was a sunny morning I didn’t mind too much. And I heard my watch mate Peter stirring so I knew I’d better make the tea. The two of us had a beautiful sail out of the anchorage with the others asleep and made good headway on a beat towards Longyearbyen looking back to the stunning glacier and steep cliffs around. Others gradually emerged but I was back in my cosy sleeping bag before breakfast as we were waiting for Kirsty to wake up.....had a nice snooze and then up to polish off the porridge at coffee time, cook some lentil soup and make egg mayonnaise wraps for lunch. Seven hours later we arrived back in Longyearbyen. Peter helped me to park the boat, reversing into the spot at the end of the pontoon. I think I did a good job!

Having arrived we hurried off to the library for our WiFi hit and coffee and cakes and enjoyed a couple of hours of being back in touch with the outside world. Paying bills, catching up on emails, photos on Facebook and chatting to family. Then the supermarket for a major shop, as if we hadn’t done enough already! Several hundred pounds later we staggered back to the boat all hauling rucksacks and the job of stowing started. Showers all round, washing started, cooking happening and a box of wine opened. First time we have had any alcohol on board for a couple of weeks so it was welcome. Awaiting Lorna and Daniel’s arrival, feeling clean and tired and ready for a rest.....