We've just spent almost 2 weeks in Gibraltar doing various boat repairs including the installation of a new radar cable, VHF, inverter and new AGM batteries. It's always a bit frustrating waiting for parts to arrive from the UK and for workers to arrive, but that's par for the course with boats. Fortunately there are lots of things to see and do in Gibraltar and the kids loved going to the local ice-skating rink almost every day! We took the opportunity to fully load the boat up with provisions and cheap gin too...

We departed Gibraltar mid afternoon last Friday with a rough plan to put into Rabat and Casablanca, Morocco on the 2nd and 3rd nights before the final passage to Lanzarote, the northernmost island of the Canary Islands. As the wind gods were smiling on us, we've bypassed Morocco and have just arrived in La Graciosa a small island off Lanzarote - 590 nm in 4 days at an average 6.2 knots, mostly sailing and some with the iron topsail (motor for the landlubbers).

We've found that Nika slips along really quickly in light downwind conditions. With the gennaker up, I am pleased to say we're getting 6 k nots speed in 6 knots of wind and 8 - 10 knots speed in 12 knots of wind. Sorry for being technical but my sailing friends will definitely understand the implications of being able to travel quickly in light downwind breezes as that is what we'll mostly get on this journey.

The last couple of nights have been spectacular starry nights (black as the ace of spades once the moon goes) with steady 8 knots of breeze allowing us to sail comfortably under full main and poled-out jib. With the phosphorescence in the water we can spot pairs of dolphins speeding towards us from more than 20m away in the dark. There have been loads of shooting stars too. This has been an excellent passage for us and it is true when 'old salts' tell you that longer passages are easier in many ways than day sailing or overnighters as you really get into the swing of life at sea.

The kids are in great form. Bosun boy Jesse is reading at a rate of knots and has managed to finish all the new books of the Chronicles of Narnia purchased in Gibraltar. Poor Hels had hoped they would last him longer than 3 days! Zodiac Zoe having run out of her Roald Dahl is madly reading Jesse's Treausure Island.. Captain Tykes is still showing a distinct lack of interest in anything school related but is turning into a consummate boat boy who can spot any rope, fitting etc which is not "shipshape". He has "saved the day" noticing a lose pin on the anchor more than once already much to our amazement!

We're expecting to catch up with our good friends Cath and Julien and their three beautiful daughters this weekend in Lanzarote. They're flying down from London for a 3-day weekend just to see us! We can't wait to see them.

We'll be in Las Palmas by the 9th of November where we'll complete final preparations for the ARC which starts 22nd November. Helen has organised a petrol generator to be shipped out from the UK to arrive in Las Palmas as our back-up power supply (thanks for your advice Rod and Uwe).

All of us can't wait for cousin Dean to arrive on the 19th as our final crew member for the ARC. Dean is arriving on Jesse's 9th birthday so I'm sure there will be a party that night. I hear that Dean will be wearing his brand new Dubarry sailing boots and wet weather gear in First Class on the flight over...

The kids and Helen continue to impress, and to borrow an expression from a fellow cruising family, they are in distgustingly good health and loving it. Grandad Pete is an awesome guiding influence whom I can't imagine being without. We miss all our lovely friends and family back home and wish you all the best.

This is NIKA NIKA NIKA Over and Out.