Okay,  okay….due to popular demand here’s Pogo pictures.  He’s a good guard dog and stands his watch well – as you can see.  Other shots are of the surrounding pontoons, which will be awash with ARC flags and paraphernalia in the not too distant future.  Today’s tasks include Tom sorting the loo leak out!   Going paddling in the heads overnight is not a pleasant experience!

Anyway to Angus’s little challenge:   He’s going to swim around the boat in mid-Atlantic (for charity) – and the rest of us are going to be on board to record the event for posterity!  Let Angus explain:

“This is too good an opportunity to miss, to raise both awareness and money for charity.  In recognition of the assistance provided by Norwich Union and my family in allowing me to fulfill my dream trip, the two charities I would like to help are the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign (the Norwich Union staff charity of the year) and the St Kenneth's Malawi Appeal.”

Half-way across the Atlantic, Angus is taking time out from his duties as crew to complete his particular challenge in the form of a swim around Prim Teaze. The Malawi Appeal is focused on developing a partnership with the people of Mzuzu to build schools, community buildings and school teacher's houses.  Angus’ in-laws, along with many others, have raised a substantial sum of money for this work. All monies raised by the MacDonald’s friends and family sponsorship will go directly to the Malawi appeal. The appeal is essentially run by the St Kenneth’s church in Fife, but the whole community is taking part, from schools to the elderly. Angus’ mother-in-law, Mrs. Margaret Cranston and his two boys, Ally and Euan have been writing to the co-ordinator of the project in Malawi, so the challenge is very personal for them also. Invited by the Scottish first Minister, Mrs Cranston last night met with a representative of the government of Malawi.

As an extra incentive to Angus, we are pledging the money we normally spend on Christmas cards to the challenge.  If you are interested in also sponsoring Angus, then send us an email and we’ll put you in touch with him.

Promised pictures!

Water, water everywhere                                                             The Dog Watch                                     

Alert!                                         The view from Prim Teaze