If we can achieve an average speed of 5 knots, allowing for more speed as well as days without any wind, we should reach the Caribbean after 22 days non-stop sailing... 

I have dreamt of doing this since the age of 11. On the eve of setting off the prospect of crossing the Atlantic, being away from my family for a month, not seeing any land for three weeks, having no option but to deal with whatever mother nature throws at us is a sobering and slightly daunting one. The strongest emotion, however, is that after 18 months of planning I can't wait to get started!

If my 10 year old, eBay-acquired, satellite phone which is plugged into a similarly ancient laptop doesn't let me down, I should be able to share the occasional thoughts from mid ocean here. 

Bis dann,

Ph.