I have absolutely no idea how to start this. Most days there is at least some small notable thing that happens or pops into my head, but these last few days have been incredibly dull. The weather is neither being helpful nor especially unhelpful - it’s allowing me to row in the direction I want, and pushing me a bit south when I’m not. There is no wildlife to speak of - just the same two birds I seem to see every day. Nothing is breaking or getting injured, which I suppose is a good thing. To be honest, this is one of the biggest challenges there seems to be with ocean rowing - dealing with nothing!

When things are going wrong, days fly by in a whirlwind of anger, stress and anxiety. When things are going well quickly, you happily watch the miles disappear in front of your eyes as you dream of reaching Antigua in time for cocktails. When it’s somewhere in between, it’s an effort not to spend the day clock-watching, endlessly calculating how much longer the whole thing should take, before realising that, unless you find the jet engine you had forgotten, it’s going to be a very long time no matter what.

Now, I’m not in a bad mood or anything, it’s just been a little dull. Even a rainbow only lightened the mood for the 10 minutes it lasted (they were a pretty exciting 10 minutes though, I must admit!). Having said that, I’m hoping I’ve crossed a half-way point. I say “a” half-way point, because there are various ways you can work it out. The only one that is guesswork - how long the whole thing is going to take - is the one I hope I’ve passed. Whether I have or not remains to be seen!

I did manage to create one small diversion today. It crossed my mind that, in a world where modern living requires everything to be compact and multi-purpose, Pete is a prime example of how it can be done. All that you could desire (sort of!) can be found within a 23 x 6 foot space. Take the small area outside the cabin as possibly the greatest example onboard. As demonstrated on Valentine’s night, it makes a beautiful ocean-side al fresco dining room. But that’s not all. Prior to being used for your romantic meal, the food has to be prepared; where do you do that? Exactly the same place, of course! It makes a fantastic, if slightly limited, kitchen.

Option number two is not called that just because it’s the second possibility. Perhaps this wouldn’t pass health and safety requirements, but it does the job admirably, and you can enjoy the view as you go about your business.

Third, there is the entertainment of a fighting arena. Yes, this is what every compact home needs, and the majority are sadly lacking. Where else would you want to enjoy things fight like cats and dogs (beautifully demonstrated for you by nothing other than a cat and a dog)?

Other possibilities include being used as a wet-room (sometimes when you really don’t want it to be), but I thought I’d spare you a picture of me having a shower - besides, I’ve had my wash for this month.

So, there you have it. I had nothing to say, yet still managed to blather on like an idiot for a while. Anyone would think I’m trying to avoid enjoying more of that exciting rowing - surely not!