Mark was on the 3 am watch and roused Troye and myself shortly before 4:30. Coming up to the cockpit we gathered around the GPS and the chart-plotter showing our course. Closer and closer the ships icon drew to the magical line of 0 degrees. At 4:40 am we crossed the equator and changed hemispheres. With well wishes and hand-shakes all round we welcomed the next milestone on our voyage. Later at lunch we celebrated the occasion with a chocolate cake baked this morning. A great moment in any sailors life I was pleased to share this crossing with both Troye and Mark, may they both continue to enjoy the wide oceans.

As if to herald good things to come late yesterday we found several large Tuna swimming alongside the boat. All fish have brilliant colours when in the water but they fade almost immediately they are taken out of the water. To see the dazzling flashes as they twisted and turned "surfing" on the pressure wave from the bow just below the surface and about two meters back from the bow itself. They were there for quite some time whilst we watched in awe at natures beauty at play.

As if to make up for the lack of sunsets the previous while tonight we were treated to a spectacular display. Passing through an area between two weather systems we could see the differing cloud formations at various heights with the golden glow of the setting sun embellishing them into a myriad of shades and hues. Certainly a sight worth waiting for! For the fifth day we have been without much wind and this afternoon altered our course to a more northerly heading. The tactic is to try and get across the area of no wind rather than to continue diagonally through it. Weather predictions received show better wind ahead but we have to get there first. Continuing on this tactic we are hoping to soon be out of the doldrums and calms that have proved so frustrating.

Cheers Tom and Crew.