Today I sat and read through the other Skipper’s blogs.

Steering cables broken, more battens snapped, more wind instruments out, wet sleeping bags (I know how you’re feeling Dale), and finally, sweet gate on Liverpool 2018. It's amazing how we are all going through the same trials and tribulations in our own little Truman shows to be reunited in the same place at the end of it all.

If there is anyone else in the world that understands this race and what you’re going through, it's other Clipper Race Skippers; both current and old. So, in the spirit of what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, we all pull together on board to get the boat where it needs to be in the best possible order we can arrive in.

The wind from the south has much more of a chill to it and crew are feeling the difference. The sail changes, crew changeovers, and even going to the facilities, have increased in time, there are just so many layers to put on and take off. I am assured when we reach Cape Town it will be warmer.

We have covered 2,400 nautical miles and plan to cover the rest by the 19th of October if all goes to plan. The weather has died significantly and we are getting a mere 25 knots over the boat as I speak. I think the worst of the weather is behind us now but with less wind and constantly moving systems comes the fear of the dreaded wind hole.

Anyways, it's a shorter one tonight due to Lance’s ribbing about my novel writing although I’m dubious to whether there is a ghost writer involved on the good ship Liverpool 2018? The grammar is extraordinary for a cabbage top.