Atlantic Blog

Update 07/01/07
Took a taxi to Jolly Harbour marina and met up with some friends who were on holiday, had a go at jet-skiing which was brilliant fun, zipping around at 60miles an hour! After lunch our friends took us to a beach were we did some snorkelling which was great and then we went to Shirley Heights where there were loads of people listening to a steel band, eating, drinking and watching the sunset a really good atmosphere. Loads of people wanted their photos taken with me!

When the Prime Minister didn't turn up for dinner at the restaurant he asked if we could meet him at 9 o'clock in his office on Monday. So we got up had the customary three platefuls of cold buffet breakfast and were then driven over to the Prime Minister's office, ten minutes before we got there we received a call to say he was still in Miami so instead of meeting him we were shown round the offices of the Ministry of Tourism where we were introduced to loads of people, before being taken back to the hotel.

During our last two days we motored the boats round from Nelson's dock to the Antigua Yacht Club Marina. Then a diving shop lent us a couple of snorkels so that we could go snorkelling. We went over to the reef off Galleons beach and it was fantastic, saw hundreds of fish all different shapes and colours. It was so good we even went back for a couple of hours just before we left.

Our flight left at 9:20 in the evening and we arrived at Gatwick, London time just before 9am on Wednesday morning. At the airport we were met by mum and my sister Fiona and it was really great to see them. Our hugs were photographed by a whole load of photographers. It was funny getting into our taxi to hear on the radio that I had just arrived!

Update 04/01/07, 05/01/07 & 06/01/07
We did a few jobs on the boat including replacing the cap shroud that was broken and we've tided up the boats, but overall we've had a really lovely reception by everybody.
The people here in Antigua are lovely people and very friendly and they made me fell so welcome. Lots of people have come up to me and congratulated me and when we're by the boats there seem to be lots of people who want to have their photograph taken with me. I have also signed a few autographs. It's really fun and I'm really enjoying myself.
I was invited to dinner with the Prime Minster. Dad asked what the dress code was and he found out it was going to be a formal dinner. Just stepping off the the boat I haven't anything formal I can wear. The Ministry Of Tourism took me into St John's the main town here and we visited the United Colours of Benetton shop and they bought me a suit, tie and shirt so I was fully kitted out for the dinner with the Prime Minister, which was very kind of them.
So on Friday evening we went for our dinner with the Prime Minister in a very posh restaurant, which was really nice but unfortunately he couldn't make it so he has invited me to meet him for breakfast on Monday. We met a few important people here too such as the Minister of Tourism, Minister of Sport and Vivian Richards a well known cricketer there.

Update 03/01/07
We drifted till about 6 in the morning and then sailed towards English Harbour. We slowed down before we got there because we wanted to arrive at 10 o'clock, which was the pre-arranged time that we had agreed with the authorities. Just as we were passing the Columns of Hercules one or two boats started to appear, and some of those boats had press people on. The next thing we knew more and more boats appeared and as we were going into English Harbour there must have been at least 50 small boats following us tooting their horns and saying well done, it was amazing. The promenades were lined with people and children and as we passed by the big yachts were also tooting their horns and there were flags flying.
It was fantastic, it was incredible, then I was motioned to berth on the side of the dockyard, which I did but unfortunately there wasn't quite sufficient water alongside so I touched the bottom and had to be pulled backwards for a bit. There were lots of people standing on the quay waiting to meet me then I stepped ashore.
I was surrounded by loads of cameras, microphones and people asking me questions and wow it was unbelievable and about 15 minutes later my Dad's boat rafted up too alongside mine and he came ashore and we had the hug which we had been looking forward to for the last 2 1/2 weeks since we had left the Cape Verde Islands.
We were then shown along to a press conference which had been set up in the grounds and it was a really lovely setting. There was the Minister of Tourism who said a few words, the Chairperson of the National Parks Authority, the local MP and other dignitaries. I was given a gift of a basket of fruit, Dad was given a bottle of rum and a photo, and I was given a plaque which said "Congratulations to Michael Perham on becoming the youngest person to sail single-handed across the Atlantic Ocean from the Government and people of Antigua and Barbuda", which was really a lovely gift.
At the press conference they asked several questions and then we went to lunch in a restaurant that was near by. The food was delicious because I had steak and chips, which my stomach was grateful of! Then in the afternoon we were shown to our room at the Yacht Club Marina Resort, which was very nice and in the evening we wandered along the road and had a pizza which was delicious.
We're certainly tired but what a fantastic reception from the Antiguan people. They are just lovely and everyone is saying well done and congratulations and I'm really bowled over by everybody's appreciation. My only wish is that I could hang onto the memories of today for a very long time.

Update 03/01/07
We are pleased to announce that Mike and Peter successfully arrived in Antigua today at 2.00pm GMT to a rapturous welcome from local supporters and a steel band. Both are well and are reported to be in good health, although both remain tired, looking forward to a good meal and solid bed!
Thanks to all those who have supported and sponsored the trip. Fiona and Heather are looking forward to welcoming the boys home in the UK some time next week. :)

Update 02/01/07
By 8 am in the morning we were about 40 miles from Antigua and we took down our sails to drift, but unfortunately we drifted in the wrong direction slightly so at about 6pm in the evening we put the sails up and we sailed for a couple of hours so we could drift overnight ready for our arrival tomorrow.

Update 01/01/07
Yesterday at noon we had less than 150 miles to go, which is about three times round the Isle of Wight, so it was really encouraging. We're now counting down the meals we've got to have, counting down the days and hours and look forward to Antigua.

We got through the day without any squalls hitting us and saw an amazing rainbow in the squalls nearby.

Update 31/12/06 New Year's Eve!
We were sailing along really well when suddenly my two jibs went slack and I realised that the halliard, which is the rope that pulls them up and holds them tight had chaffed through. So I pulled down both jibs with the idea that I could actually put them on another halliard, however the track is really to small for the jibs and I couldn't get the jibs back up. So I am now sailing with my mainsail with the Skechers name all over it all the way to Antigua.

Looks like our ETA in Antigua will now be Wednesday 3rd January, around 10am Antigua time!

Happy New Year!!!!

Update 30/12/06
At noon today we only had 391miles to go, which means we should hopefully arrive in Antigua Tuesday afternoon or there abouts. I can't wait!

At the moment the moon is really bright and lights up the night sky which is really useful as it gives me a horizon to help us see and to work out how far apart the boats are from each other.

We've also had a few squalls and some showers today as well.

Update 29/12/06
Today I spoke with a couple of radio stations and think I was live at the time, which was nice and yesterday a journalist from the Guardian newspaper interviewed me and apparently I was on page three of the Guardian today!

Today pretty average Trade winds and a few squalls but towards the evening the sea state became less choppy and I was doing 7 1/2 knots the rest of the evening.

Update 28/12/06
Today we've had blue skies, a few clouds and an odd rain squall. The wind is about Force 5, Force 6 and the height of the waves between 6 - 8 ft. The sun is pretty hot so I make sure I'm well protected.

It's rather strange but almost every morning now I find the odd flying fish on the deck that obviously flew the wrong way! Five days to go.............!

Update 27/12/06
At 5.30 am this morning Dad contacted me to tell me his starboard cap shroud, which holds up the mast was broken. As a substitute he's using one of the halliards and he says that's doing a really good job. I was really disappointed when I heard the news because I thought that we would have to go a bit slower, which means we will take longer to get to Antigua. However when we looked at out run at mid-day we were still doing over 6 knots, so that's really cool.

I'm still doing my count down, only six days to go now. Good news from the PR agency, when we arrive, we will be staying at the Antigua Yacht Club Marina Resort. It sounds really fantastic and I can't wait to sleep in a proper bed and have a scrumptious meal.

Update 26/12/06
Compared to Christmas Day, we didn't get up to any activities today. Weather is still lovely out here and now we're really into the Trades and doing 6 or 7 knots.

Update 25/12/06
We started celebrating Christmas day at midnight on Christmas Eve by cracking open a collision warning flare each. When we put that on top of an orange it became probably the brightest Christingle the world has ever seen.

In the day time I spoke to Dad loads on the VHF radio, which was really nice. In fact we didn't do any steering ourselves, we just chattered really all day on the VHF and Dad managed to blow two fuses.

At 4 O'clock in the afternoon we put the clocks back 4 hours to be on Antigua time and that means we've probably had the longest Christmas Day in the world. Our Christmas day lasted 28 hours!

The wind has been very kind and keeping behind us, probably Force 4, Force 5 and we're going along at 7 knots most of the time.

Update 24/12/06
Today we've had blue skies and just a few fluffy bits of clouds and what with sitting out in the sun all day I have to say I feel quiet tired, but I'm drinking loads and will put more salt on my food tonight.

Wow, it's Christmas Eve and Santa has been seen on my rigging! Dad actually bought two blow up Santa's in Mindelo, mine is hung in the rigging and dad's is inside. We have also been singing Christmas carols to each other over the VHF radio.

Update 23/12/06
We're still sailing along nicely, the winds a little bit lighter today but we still seem to be doing good speed. Looks like we will have an e.t.a of 2nd January, taking into account that next week the winds are meant to be increasing as the trade winds build. Have seen patches of squalls in the distance all around the boats today but have been fortunate this time to avoid them all.

The things I am missing most, certainly food wise are warm toast, ice cold drinks and crisps. I'm a bit envious of Dad as he seems to have far more snacks on board than me!

Update 22/12/06
Our noon position shows we covered over 180 miles through the water so that's pretty good, but sleep is a real problem for me at the moment. The problem is we have 12 hours of darkness so we split the night into an hour on and an hour off, but it takes about 15 mins to get up and go to bed, check the course and position etc relevant to my dad's boat. So we're really only getting a maximum of 4 1/2 hours sleep each night. Also with all the noise of water rushing past it sounds like being in a car wash!

Update 21/12/06
We took it easy last night sailing with just one jib after the shock of Dad's rudder breaking yesterday. This morning we got going with two jibs and were sailing at a respectable 7 knots.

I didn't sleep that well last night so today we took things a little easier. We are currently working on watch shifts of 1 hour on and 1 hour off through the night and when one of us wants to sleep during the day for a bit we let the other person know so they can keep watch.

Update 20/12/06
At about 5am in the morning Dad's rudder snapped in two, so he is now using a replacement system instead so we are hoping this gets him safely to Antigua. In the afternoon Dad needed a drill, which was on my boat, so we did a close manoeuvre, where he could throw a line on to my boat and then I'd send the drill down to him. Thankfully this worked well and he could use it to sort out his rudder.

The sea has been kind to us at the moment, the sea state has been about 6ft with force 4 winds and sailing about 4 knots.

Update 19/12/06
Now we are in the Trades, the winds have increased slightly. By night we were doing 8 or 9 knots and by midnight it had got quite rough so we took in the jibs and just sailed on the mainsail.

In the afternoon we had a photo shoot with each other, which was fun.

The air is very damp down here, there is heavy condensation everywhere in the morning. And even in the daytime things are still quite damp and only dry, out in the sunshine.

Update 18/12/06
We've dropped down a little further south to catch the trade winds, it seems to be paying off now as we follow steadily E NE force 4.and that looks reasonably steady. Hopefully that will then go to force 5 and force 6 later on in the week.

We're motoring along and easily doing 6 knots often 7, which is great.

It's great to have the VHF radio to talk to Dad. We go quite a few hours without speaking and then we just chat about lots of things into the early evening.

The temperature is always rising, in the cabin it's 29 degrees in the day time and in the evening a bit cooler.

Update 17/12/06
At about 05.00 hrs the winds started to pick up so we set the asymmetric spinnaker and we sailed with that all through the day and finally reaching about 7 knots. At night time we changed the spinnaker for our twin jibs because it's much easier to handle at night time.

Dad and I played Battleships in the day time over the VHF radio and we also played noughts and crosses.

Update 16/12/06
We drifted all night because there was still no wind, but by lunch time it started to pick up so we hoisted up our asymmetric spinnakers, and off we went. We were doing about 4 knots during the afternoon and we sailed into the night. The wind finally died at about 2 in the morning and so we drifted for a few more hours. The weather's really warmed up so I've been sun bathing at every opportunity.

Another flying fish jumped into the cockpit today and my dad said he saw a great long shark following him when we were drifting around. About 12ft long he reckons! Scary stuff, I'm glad that didn't jump into my cockpit.

Phoned home about 7pm just as the sun was about to set and the last bit of one of the Cape Verde Islands was just slipping out of sight. It's an amazingly good feeling when you are on the open sea and no land in sight.

Update 15/12/06
Our friend who fixed the wind vane had an idea over night so first thing in the morning he went off to the workshop to do a bit more drilling and got back about 11am.

There was a gentle breeze so dad and me decided, well we know the winds are going to be variable for the next couple of days but we can set off in the right direction and hopefully the current will take us with it.

So we finally left about 1pm and yes, it was a gentle breeze and then annoyingly in the evening the wind died completely so we just spent the rest of our time drifting. Forgot to mention that on leaving I noticed my self steering was stiff and discovered some rope had become tangled in the gear. Unfortunately the only option I had was to tie a rope round my waist, dive in and cut the rope away!

Update 14/12/06
Still in Mindelo while my original self steering gear gets a few jobs done to it. It needed a few bits to be straightened at a workshop. That all happened today so hopefully we can set sail tomorrow.

In the afternoon Dad and me went to the beach and swam in the sea, it was lovely and warm.

The people here are very nice and friendly and because we are at anchor we are dependant on the boat boys rowing us ashore.

Update 13/12/06
The satellite phone arrived today as has the replacement self steering gear for my boat. We hope we can be on our way tomorrow. Can't wait to be off again!

Update 12/12/06
So arrived in the Cape Verde Islands at about 5pm and moored in the harbour at Mindelo on Sao Vicente. The scenery here is beautiful and so spectacular. We have also taken the opportunity to stock up on food and water while we are here.

Update 11/12/06
It has been really tough steering all through the day and night, at one point I jumped when a flying fish landed on my lap! To occupy myself I've been singing songs to myself and I've been missing my friends a lot too. Sitting out all night has been quite cold even though we have been sailing in the tropics, so my cold weather gear has been worn quite a few times, which surprised me as generally its mostly warm.

I've been using my hand held VHF radio as I couldn't reach down to my cabin, and as we reached the Cape Verde Islands the battery ran out so that was lucky.

Update 10/12/06
On this date my self-steering gear broke, so I have had to self steer for the best part of three days towards the Cape Verde Islands, this has resulted in not quite sailing continuously over 24 hours as I have had to stop for a few short breaks to cook some food and sleep a little.

Update 9/12/06
We were really pleased to leave Lanzarote and start heading towards Antigua, when on Wednesday my dad's satellite phone stopped working, which is number one priority in safety as far as we are concerned. So we decided to head towards the Cape Verde Islands, while we had a replacement phone flown out there.

Update 8/12/06
Gave myself a treat today with a new set of clean, dry clothes. I then had to go to the back of the boat to make some adjustment to the self-steering and this big wave comes over the back of the boat and I'm drenched. I was not at all pleased at the time but looking back on it, it made me laugh!!

Update 7/12/06
On Tuesday we had decided to cut a corner, but later in the day changed our minds again and decided to keep to our original plan of heading south. Have seen more dolphins and birdlife but have no idea what kind of birds they are! Last night had a call from one of my friends, which was a great surprise. Yeh, I'm really missing all my mates!

Update 6/12/06
For a change I decided to pick up my guitar today and give it a go. I've also had a chance to do some school work.

Update 5/12/06
Last night the moon was full and it was really bright and lit up everything, almost enough to read by. We're currently sailing on a more westerly course than originally planned, because our weather man says it's a good opportunity to cut the corner off. We had intended to go further south before turning right when we hit the trades. At this rate we will be in the trades early next week.

Update 4/12/06
We seem to be zipping along right now, we've done 180 miles in the last 23hrs, which is really fast.

In the morning there was a bird with a very large wing span that circled the boat for half an hour, but I have no idea what it was. Had a fantastic display of dolphins before sunset, they must have been with the boat for at least 2hrs just jumping up in the air and being absolutely crazy at times. One dolphin made a huge jump out of the top of a wave, it was amazing.

Update 3/12/06
The Liverpool boat children cast me off at about 11.45am and we're now surfing down the wave. At one stage my speed was reading 17.8 knots down the wave so I thought I'd better reduce the sail. I'm really glad to be back in the swirl wave, the longer wave with about 50ft between each wave rather than 20ft.

The night is still quite cold and we are still wearing out warm weather gear, so I look forward to the evenings warming up from now on.

Update 2/12/06
Today we went on a South Island coach tour and visited lots of volcanoes that have been extinct by about 200 years. The landscape was really cool, I could have been on the moon, loads of lave flows and rocks and rocks everywhere. I've had enough rocks to last me now for a very long time!

The good news is that in the evening Uncle Iain turned up with the new satellite phone so that means tomorrow we can be off sailing again!

Update 1/12/06
Found out my satellite phone is still in Madrid!   So we have been forced to take drastic action by asking my uncle Iain to courier another phone by hand down to Lanzarote for us tomorrow. During the day went for a swim in one of the marina's pools, then out for a meal at a restaurant in the evening.

Update 30/11/06
On arriving in Lanzarote a problem with my satellite phone could not be fixed so we sent out for a replacement. My satellite phone was promised to be delivered today but unfortunately never arrived. We found out it had been held up in Madrid, and have been assured it will arrive tomorrow.

Did some more odd jobs today and relaxed in the evening.

Update 29/11/06
Everyone at the marina have been really helpful. The family from Liverpool I met last night were able to help us our with the electrical work on dad's boat, sorting mine and dad's solar panels, re-charging stuff and doing a few other bits and pieces. Dad's lighting now works fully. Pintles are now fixed on my dad's boat and I have a new ring on my spinnaker pole. Everyone has just been so very helpful.

In the afternoon dad and I went for a walk, then to the beach and ended up going in for a paddle. We then went into town to get a few bits of plastic piping to put on the wires to stop chafing the ropes. It's a really great place. In the evening we are going for a meal and then tomorrow the Lanzarote local newspaper is going to interview us in the morning. before we leave.

Update 28/11/06
I can't believe the speed these boats are making as they surf down the waves with following seas. It's really exhilarating and very exciting and at this rate I'm about to arrive in Lanzarote in darkness. So I decided to take the sails down and drift around for a few hours and have a few hours sleep, obviously keeping a look out every half an hour.

I got to Lanzarote to a place called Rubicon Marina at about mid-day. It was so exciting because they had a small welcoming committee to meet me as dad had phoned ahead that I would be arriving on my own.   Dad was 70 miles behind me, so far behind because he was nursing the pintle from his rudder system which had broken off.

When I arrived in Lanzarote I immediately made loads of friends, everyone was pleased to see me. I had a lovely meal on one of the boats moored in the marina, belonging to a family from Liverpool that have been travelling around on their boat for the past 14 years. Later in the evening I went out with these friends.

Dad turned up late into the evening and it was really great to see him.

Update 27/11/06
Dad and I got separated again today. He thought he saw my boat but as he got closer he was wrong. I managed to get some good sleep also. Sailing was brilliant today, it was just like surfing along the tops of the waves! Can't wait to get to Lanzarote.

Update 26/11/06
Now we're really surfing along with the NE winds behind us, this is what we would like to do all the time. Having a great time rocking and rolling and surfing the crest of the wave. Dad saw some whales, they were about 12ft long with big tails, there were about 12 of them, guess it was a pod.

Update 25/11/06
The winds are still against us, but they have eased a bit, but it hasn't really helped our passage down to Lanzarote where we are going to stop. Experienced my first experience of squalls, they really do knock your teeth out. The winds might be steady 5-10 knots and then suddenly 35knots and that's all in the space of a few seconds.   These squalls are just on the end of rain patches you can see on the horizon. So you quickly roll up the jib and let the mainsail flap like mad because there is no time to take it down. In the evening I managed to loose touch with dad or dad lost touch with me. Tomorrow we'll catch up with each other again.

Update 24/11/06
At about lunch time the weather was deteriorating, force 6, with the wind against us and then dad's rudder pintle had completely broken, making his rudder system almost as good as useless. Fortunately we've got a secondary system which can be used but with the wind against us we both decided to put out our sea anchors and basically decided to batten down the hatches and ride out the storm at night. The waves got to 25ft as forecast and it was force 8 gusting force 9 at times.

When I put out my brand new sea anchor I unwrapped it out of the packet, knotted it and put it out. Within half an hour it had completely shredded so used a rubber bucket on the end of a long line, which is doing a great job.

Update 23/11/06
Today we spent most of the time drifting around, well that's not quite true, I went off in search of the wind and at one time was going 4 knots in the wrong direction! By tea time we were back together again and still drifting and that's what we did for the rest of the night. At one time I had to rush down below to get 2 fenders to fend off, as the boats got within 6ft of each other. Still on a 1hr on 1hr off watch system, though while we've been drifting we have gone to 2hrs but still phone through on the hour so we are always in contact with each other.

Update 22/11/06
We've been sailing along at over 9 knots at times which is really exciting with our twin furled out jib. It looks like we may have overdone it for a bit for dad's boat, because one of the bolts that holds one of the pintles in has sheared off, so we're not allowed to go more than 6 knots. We have decided to go to Lanzarote, which we had already decided upon to sort out my dad's mast lights. His other navigational lights are much lower so when he is in a swell wave he disappears and I can't see him. So now we're heading for Lanzarote and should be there on Monday for a few hours to get these two things sorted out.

I was escorted today by 20 bottlenose dolphins all doing tricks and dancing round the front of the boat, which was really cool. The water here is absolutely amazing, when you look at the colour blue it's a colour blue I can't really describe it's so beautiful.

I'm really, really happy and so grateful to Mum and Fiona for allowing me on this trip.

Update 21/11/06
We're pushing along the West African coast and keeping into deep water to avoid fishing boats that normally fish in shallower water. Seas are a beautiful blue colour. Today dad chucked over some more cutlery as I can't find mine. All I've used so far is a wooden spoon and spoon and no tin opener to open my tins! Dad has also found a spare tin opener. I'm really enjoying the trip so far, I'm loving it!

Update 20/11/06
In the early morning wind picked up and we were able to head for Africa, passing through the Straits of Gibraltar at 7am. It's a great feeling, we're away again. I'm so excited about this trip. The weather looks fair and we seem to have a north-easterly wind blowing us all the way through to the Canaries. Having a great time in the open sea. I have even seen my first dolphin!!

We've been working a watch system of half an hour and half an hour off between us, but during the evening we started a 1hr on and 1hr off, which is much easier but if there are fishing boats or ships in the vicinity obviously that stops. The boats are cruising along, it's absolutely amazing at night because the waves we make have sparkly bits, which are really beautiful.

Update 19/11/06
Cleared the inshore traffic zone around mid-night, shortly after Dad called me to say he had some problems with the electrics and might be better to put into port, which we agreed would be sensible and headed for Cadiz.

In the meantime, just before we got to Cadiz he reckoned he had sorted it out so we turned round, unfortunately by this time the wind had dropped! We spent the night and half the day fighting no wind and half the day sails down as we had no wind at all and I didn't want the rigging banging around.

Update 18/11/06
We left at 1pm in the afternoon, we were going to leave a bit earlier but waited for the wind to pick up. We then waited for a short while out of the bay and into the straits where we picked up a steady force 3, which is taking us down the straits and then we will turn left and follow the African coast. We are so excited and my dad is so proud of me and I'm fulfilling my lifetime ambition!

Update 17/11/06 From Heather
CBBC Newsround website - Sportspage has an article on Mike. ** Teen sailor attempts world record ** A 14-year-old boy is preparing to set sail in the Atlantic in a bid to become the youngest person to cross the ocean alone. Click on link below to see it!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/em/fr/-/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_6150000/newsid_6157000/6157016.stm

Update 17/11/06
Beautiful weather today, perfect for launching the boats. Away from Shepherd's Marina at 12.00.

We are now berthed at Marina Bay, alongside each other and quite close to our current accommodation, which has made it useful for deliveries such as the 360 litres of water delivered today.

Tonight we are going to a nearby restaurant for some delicious fish and chips.

Can't wait to go tomorrow.

Update 16/11/06
Arrived Gibraltar Mon 13th. Wheeled our trolley from baggage collection to the marina and nobody stopped us! We are currently staying on an old motor boat/B & B but without the breakfast as we have to walk half a mile to a restaurant the owner knows.

Really pleased to see my boat again although rather dirty after the trip across Spain. The guys at Shepherd's are doing brilliantly with all the jobs not finished in Cowes.

We were going to put the boats in the water today but the weather was too rough so I look forward to sailing my boat round to Marina Bay tomorrow.

Update 12/11/06
Last minute packing, as I fly out to Gibraltar tomorrow. I bought a big tin of chocolates as I need a tin to put the GPS and handheld VHF in, in case of lightening hitting the boat. Bought a new camcorder yesterday so can now record a daily diary.

Have been charging batteries all day for the gadget we are taking!

Taxi comes at 4am & I can't wait!

Update 06/11/06
The boats were packed up over the weekend and are now on their way to Gibraltar.

My Dad's boat was loaded onto a flat bed truck and mine is being towed on its trailer.

In the end it was all a bit of a rush to get everything on board, carry out a few odd jobs and get down to the ferry.

Colin has done a brilliant job on the electrics and Andy and Steve have been a real help with the final preparations.

The boats leave Portsmouth today and will arrive in Bilbao on Wednesday before the 650 mile trip across Spain to Gibraltar, where they should arrive sometime on Friday.

My Dad and I fly out on Monday 13th and I hope everything is OK. We will then step the masts and get them ready for our scheduled departure on Saturday 18th at 10am.

Update 20/10/2006
Skechers has agreed to become my main sponsor. This is a really cool company and I've already picked up loads of freebies.

Cheeky Monkey will now be decorated with Skechers logo on the sails and hull. I've seen an artists impression and I think this will look really cool, already for the BBC Newsround filming me next Wednesday.

www.skechers.co.uk

Update 06/10/2006
My boat was at the Southampton Boat Show and together with some of the press cuttings on display, lots of people stopped by.

Meridian TV interviewed me, however I never saw the footage, but lots of people said they saw me on TV afterwards.

Loads of people came up to wish me well and lots of kids had their photos taken by the boats name- Cheeky Monkey.

Over the next few weeks we will be doing a bit more sailing, final fitting and provisioning the boats up for the voyage.

At the beginning of November the boats will be transported down to Gibraltar which is where we will be starting from.

My Dad is still hoping to sign up a main sponsor, so if you know of anyone, please let him know.

Sail Mike

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