Day 20 Thurs May 6

Today we saw the equator. Both on board agreed it was a red line, and as the Bluebottle crossed it we enacted the traditional ceremony. Naked, we poured fresh water over each other, standing in the warm sun by the mainmast. Next, each holding a small glass of tequila, we poured a little into the ocean as a libation, then it was lick the salt off the base of your thumb knock back the tequila and squeeze the lime into your mouth. There was a bit of yelling, and we took each other's photos. Clambering back to the cockpit laughing, we agreed it had been fun. Now we were shellbacks, whatever that means, and no longer were we polliwogs; at least it was fun to report this on the evening net, and on the Pacific Seafarers net too, I notice that everyone is quite energized, excited by the whole thing. Although we treat it as a joke, we give it some significance.

So, South of the line, back in the Southern hemisphere, I feel a sense of homecoming. And now the Southern Cross is visible in the sky as our vessel rushes on through the night - with only 652 miles to go.

NOTE: If these daily reports stop,it is because we're getting too far out from the land stations that pick up our radio signal. The nearest is San Diego, 2196 nautical miles away.