Seven weeks gone, and I can only be described as fairly happy right now. A week ago, I was frustrated at having only got 200nm closer to Antigua in the previous seven days. Well, this week, I have made nearly 330nm towards my destination. Which isn’t a bad effort, I don’t think!

Some of those miles have been gifted to me on a plate, but I have had to work hard for the rest. Today was no exception. In the morning, I usually work out where I want to be by midnight. Inevitably, I take the morning fairly gently, and then struggle through the hottest part of the day. By the time 6 o’clock comes round, I normally calculate that I have to fit about six and a half hours’ rowing into the remaining six hours of the day.

That was pretty much the situation today, and I proceeded to have one of the toughest evenings so far, as I tried to get to my target. Well, it didn’t seem too hard at the time, but I realised I was a little weary when my legs were struggling to keep me upright at the end of the day. But I made it! Well, that’s not entirely true: I was about 200 yards short, but it’s good enough for me.

One of the biggest stress factors on the row is the constant worry that something vitally important might break and be unfixable. I could cope with failing because I was taken out by a 100-foot wave, or having a hole bitten out of the boat by a shark, but having to return home saying “well, something broke” wouldn’t be my preferred choice. Now, there’s not a lot that is absolutely vital on a rowing boat. Essentially, you need a pair of oars, food and water, but that’s about it.

While, in days gone by, you had to carry all your water with you, I have the benefit of a water-maker, which desalinates the sea-water. Arguably, this is the single most important piece of equipment I have and, if it broke, I’d be in a bit of bother. Well, very happily, that’s no longer the case. I also have 100 litres of fresh water, serving the dual-purpose of emergency water supply, and ballast. Now that I’m within 1,000 miles, I reckon I could just about get there on that. I’d be thirsty, but it could be done without too much risk.

So that’s one less thing to worry about, which is marvellous. As a result, you get a picture of me sporting the cheesiest grin I could muster, mainly because there wasn’t anything else to take a picture of. Don’t worry, I’ll make sure I don’t feature in too many more!

Now my biggest concern is this: how do I fill another 1,000 miles of blogs?! Something interesting better happen soon!