Chilled, Balearic-style sunsets and the sparkles of shooting stars provide the overhead lightshow for this slow-paced chapter in the story of the final leg of our journey.
Like a snail on the hard shoulder of a busy motorway, making its way out into the traffic, BP Explorer is at this moment edging along at three knots with a multitude of crossing ships knitting a pattern of bright navigation lights in the blanket of darkness ahead of our bows. The throbbing sounds of their engines carry clearly across the still waters, through a slight, shivering mist.
Yesterday we were accompanied by a small, lazily-mooching shark and a very tired and lonely racing pigeon who circumnavigated the boat a few times before coming in to land. Some of us had hopes that we could help by delivering him home but we clearly weren't going fast enough for his liking; after a swift drink and a few porridge oats he was off, rejuvenated and back on his way home again. We can hardly blame him; it has definitely been a slow 24 hours.
Day three and we are now 41 miles behind the leading yacht, SAIC La Jolla, and 29 miles behind Me To You, in eleventh. If the yachts finish in their current order we would lie fourth or fifth overall so we will hope for something of a reshuffle at the front to improve things. Conditions have not given us any opportunity to make up lost ground but we are taking comfort from a number of angles; on the material side we have a delicious and bountiful diet of fresh food and beautiful weather; and we occupy our minds with a review of the highs which have punctuated our race so far - too many to mention in one sitting! Finally we have each other. In ten months we have never had more than the briefest of cross words on BP Explorer, we operate in a supportive environment and if someone is feeling down they always have
another to talk to. When asked how he was feeling today, Stephen commented: 'Actually, I feel fine - I have been very touched and moved by how everyone has helped each other in this difficult situation. That is something very special.'
As BP Explorer inches towards dawn, we have drawn level with the Ile de Sein, which is around 25 miles south of Ile D'Ouessant, due east of the next waypoint. The route for the leg is constantly under review by the Race Office back in Southampton, as they attempt to ensure that the leading boats finish around lunchtime on Saturday. The latest change to the course has seen us redirected to Devon's Eddystone Light which will no doubt be a sight for sore eyes and a pretty stirring landmark after so long from home. In
response to a rather Eeyore-ish email which I sent back to Somerset yesterday, my best mate Jo reminded me of just how significant spotting land off the West Country will be, writing: 'P.S. And remember; you have just sailed around the world! Everyone is very proud of BP Explorer.' She is right, we should all feel pretty pleased about this one, it is an adventure that we will never forget.
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