32:50.512 N 009:30.516 W

After a damp and foggy night the sun eventually broke through at 9 am. Shortly afterwards we caught our 6th fish a Mahi- Mahi, the day had started well!

We were sailing along with 18 knots of wind, the forecast for the day was 5-10 knots, when we nearly lost the fuel bladder - we carry extra fuel in a bladder stored on the bow - it was full with 300 litres of diesel. Within a few minutes we had 25 plus knots of wind from the south when the bladder broke free from its supposedly secure straps. We only managed to get it back into position when a wave broke over the bow and lifted us and the bladder off the deck, whilst it was suspended by the water we managed to get it back into position. Ten minutes later it broke free again so with us sat on the bladder we managed to drain 200 litres out into the tanks and all this whilst been covered in copious amounts of water. It took nearly 4 hours, we were wet ,cold and exhausted. My response was....I want to go home! The wind later dropped to 5 knots and we were motoring and a happy crew again!

Some of the rally boats were harassed last night by Moroccan fishing boats asking for whiskey and we are expecting the same again tonight.

We are travelling up the middle of the main shipping channel between the Canaries and Europe and are continually being overtaken on both sides by large container ships. We are hoping that the fisherman find it too dangerous to be out here, we will see! On the first night we had 2 altercations with large fishing boats who travel with no lights on then suddenly put them on, change course and steam straight at you playing chicken to see if you will change course, not very pleasant.

Who said this trip would be good fun!