Day 12 : Heading for Cape Verde Islands

David said it all in his log yesterday, we've all read it and are 100% behind him. Control the things we are able to control, do our very best then try and find that little bit extra, it's the bit extra that will make the difference. We are playing a cat and mouse game with Spirit of Sark and the first thing we ask as we start our watch is "where are they?" It's a three horse race for us over the next couple of days and every bit of weather information is eagerly awaited, it's hot and sunny and definitely shorts and T-shirts on deck.



Below decks are like a Turkish sauna. We are wearing precious little when we retire to our bunks - except maybe a silk sleeping bag liner to cover our warps and fenders. Sasha Zamorouev got a surprise today when we celebrated his birthday nine months early. He is doing this leg as a member of our BP crew so we presented him with a card, some gifts and a message and promise from every crewmember.

They included; doing the washing up when it's his turn, donating their day's treats and even washing his socks! We have received loads of fantastic e-mails from our friends and relatives. They include messages from excited nieces, nephews following the race and checking our position when they wake, when they get home from school and again before they go to bed. Our older fans have been texting each other every snippet of information from the Challenge website and a few have even placed considerable bets. Every mail we receive just lifts us higher and adds to our drive to do that bit extra. We saw our first Sperm whale today and I can't help thinking just how lucky we are to be experiencing this adventure and sharing this incredible environment with them.

Goldie Raley's thought for today is "We still have a long way to go and a lot to do before we get there".