We are now on route to St. Helena to find some flat water, so that we can have a look at the port side propeller. We had deployed the debris collecting device (also known as the 'Yellow Thing') the other day. I was surprised to hear that just for an hour or so, hundreds of miles from anywhere in particular, the yellow thing had managed to collect some small and varying pieces of plastic, where did they come from? Anyway on the second trial, the towing line became tangled with the propeller - that's why we will be inspecting it.

The weather has been good this week for deck work and watchkeeping. At night, there's beautiful unspoilt views of the milky way and a million other wonders of the night sky. These are the very wonders that the street lighting back home obliterates almost completely. After working in the sun the other day, I took a rest for an hour, feeling a little too hot. I was a little delirious and found that after a few moments of lying down in my cabin, suddenly a very soft and gentle hand was soothing and carressing my feverish brow, I opened my eyes to see who this gentle hand belonged to, only to discover that it was actually my navy blue bathroom towel hanging up above me and moving side to side across my forehead with the motion of the ship! Well, anyway, it was very much appreciated.

- Ed