After another exceptional dinner prepared by Cookie Dave, Margaret, Dan & the mess men / ladies some of us decided to walk off the roast lamb & jam roly poly by power walking around deck. Top tip: When the Permanent Crew tell you not to wear flip-flops on board listen! One of us ended up on their backside after slipping on water outside the cold store!

Our night watch 20:00 – 00:00 felt like we were surrounded by fire flies, as fishing boats lit the horizon, however this didn’t distract from the beauty of the stars, which was captivating. Our bunks called for us shortly after midnight but sleep was not forthcoming as the anchor banged and Nellie creaked & moaned under an ever increasing swell.

Following this morning’s brief by Captain Barbara we were commended on yesterday’s fire drill, when we mustered in life jackets in record-breaking time!

We have left behind the South China Sea & are now motoring into the wind, east south east in the Java Sea. Once clear of the doldrums we aim to set the sails & hope to arrive in Bali on 18th, when we can plan a proper celebration for Anna & Dan’s engagement.

‘Family’ Forward Port Watch; Grandpa Jonathan, Grandad John, Daddy Mike, Mummy Alli, Daughter (the planned one) Anna, Baby (the mistake) Eli & the Au Pair Ruth