Today saw a new beginning. Although it may be hard to tell from my path so far, I’ve been following a carefully planned route to take as much advantage as possible of the likely winds and currents. As it happens, I’ve missed that route by several hundred miles, but that’s not the point - I’ve now rejoined it! For the past few weeks, any mile in a south-westerly direction was a good one. Now there’s only one direction that matters: Antigua.

My GPS has been re-set so that now everything is focused on the final goal. Currently the “distance to destination” is a bit large for my liking, but it’s fantastic to know that, when it hits zero, I’ll be stepping off Pete to an awaiting cocktail (or at least I’d better be!). Whether you’ll be able to notice my new direction is another matter.

Unfortunately I seem to have picked a rubbish time to make this change. For the past few days, the weather’s been fairly helpful and I’ve enjoyed relatively comfortable rowing. However, my decision to head west has been accompanied by the wind deciding it fancies getting quite strong and going due south. The sea can’t seem to decide what to do, with ever growing waves going in any direction. The end result is that I’ve signed myself up for a good few days of very uncomfortable, and ultimately frustrating, rowing. As if life wasn’t enough of a struggle as it is!

You may have noticed that today is Valentine’s Day. Sadly, I haven’t received any cards or flowers, a fact I am most disappointed by. It even seems at times that my food is out to wind me up. The Fruit Pastilles suggest a great game to play: think of a famous person and the other guesses who it is - that one doesn’t last long out here. My pasta sauces go one step further, declaring they are “perfect for two people looking for a bit more excitement”. But tonight will no doubt be spent on my own, as I enjoy my flame-lit dinner for one in Pete’s very own al fresco dining room.

A perfect romantic setting, just not this year.